News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The newest “Nations in Transit” Freedom House report, tracking 29 former communist countries in Europe and Eurasia, listed the 6 Western Balkan countries as “transitional governments or hybrid regimes”. On a scale of 1 to 7, Serbia has scored 3,89, followed by Montenegro’s score of 3,96. N.Macedonia improved with 3,82, Albania has declined to 3,75,
Read more →The report prepared by Cooperation Canada and supported by a coalition of CSOs worldwide provides an independent analysis of reporting by United Nations Member States to the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF). It examines the current status of 2030 Agenda implementation, unwraps trends in reporting, and identifies good practice. This year’s report focuses
Read more →To support organizations in applying foresight thinking in social change work, JustLabs provides a guide presenting the human rights and social change field with a crucial tool to achieve it. The guide explains that if foresight becomes part of the organization’s DNA, social change actors could have better clarity and power to influence the future.
Read more →Differing in their range and sphere of influence, the social movements in the Balkans share the idea of building a better, more just society. The fundamental principles of democracy, freedom, justice, and equality are still present within engaged citizens assembled around local initiatives and social movements. The “Bosnian Spring” in BiH, the “Colourful Revolution” in
Read more →Based on the analysis of its research partners, among which BCSDN, providing analysis on the situation of the basic human freedoms in the Balkans, Civicus Monitor presents the recent Civic Space updates on the freedom of expression violations. According to the analysis, the right to information is vital during a public health emergency, and the
Read more →The International Press Institute, IPI, expressed concerns after the Slovenian Prime Minister on his Twitter account attacked the director of the Slovenian Press Agency, STA, of being a ‘collaborator’ in the ‘murder’ of a former STA editor. The observers also claimed that the Slovenian government is putting pressure on the agency to change its editorial
Read more →Human rights and freedoms constraints in exceptional circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, are only allowed if they are proportionately implemented, without discrimination against anyone, considering that some human rights and freedoms should not be subjected to restriction. Citizens claim that it is difficult for them to accept the limitations and the changes that the
Read more →In its latest newsletter, the Dynamic Accountability Community of Practice displays the connections between Dynamic Accountability and environmental actions. It notes that from Earth Day to the Just Recovery Gathering, April has been the month of climate action when civil society celebrated the environment and climate. The newsletter presents examples from around the civil society
Read more →Gender and Social Justice is the idea of good governance, in which institutions are effective, accountable, and inclusive at all levels of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16. Integrity Action’s Gender and Social Justice Approach encompasses working with partners to support locally-led and inclusive agendas and solutions. This includes listening to what monitors, partners and
Read more →ECNL Fundraising Principles provide a global overview of current trends in fundraising regulation and self-regulation. The principles propose recommendations based on international and regional standards and country practices, aiming to support advocacy efforts and serve as a reference point to promote and facilitate further dialogue between CSOs and policymakers. The overview addresses 7 key areas:
Read more →In its publication, ECNL explains that the digital revolution and artificial intelligence (AI) provide new horizons for philanthropy. Digital technologies are used throughout fundraising, starting from promoting the beneficiary organization or cause, identifying the target groups, storing their data, reaching out to them, and processing the donation. AI -intended as machine-learning algorithms -and automated decision-making
Read more →Target groups: Informal or registered organizations from the Western Balkans. Aim: Providing rapid funding (in the form of expert support or direct funding for regional actions) for CSO’s immediate needs or innovation whenever they need to address some challenging situation and protect civic space. Grant amount: Max 10,000 EUR (total funding available 340,000 EUR). Duration:
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