News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The 26th Session of the Council for Cooperation with and Development of the Civil Sector was held on 7 December 2020. It reviewed the proposed activities for financial support of associations and foundations from the draft budget of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2021. It was concluded that it is necessary
Read more →The Aspen Institute has set up a program that aims to support non-profit policy organizations to improve their understanding of Germany, German policies, and German Western Balkan policies and meet with Berlin-based organizations and policymakers. The applications are looking for independent policy research organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia,
Read more →The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland is offering six scholarships to students from the Western Balkans. The Call is open to those applying for the Master of European Interdisciplinary Studies at the Natolin campus in Warsaw for the academic year 2020/2021 or 2021/2022. Read more here. Source: College of Europe
Read more →This survey is part of FRA’s wider research looking to improve the situation for human rights CSOs in the EU. The questions aim to look at the views and experiences of organizations concerning the overall situation, the impact of your working regulatory environment, threats and attacks, access to finance and resources and access and participation
Read more →BCSDN held an online presentation on 20 November 2020 to report the main findings of the CSOSI 2019 report for North Macedonia and launched into a discussion for the upcoming CSOSI cycle. BCSDN produced the report in partnership with USAID and FHI 360. The report looked at seven dimensions of sustainability: legal environment, organizational capacity,
Read more →BCSDN member Partners Albania has published a report as part of a global study on effectiveness in COVID-19 response compiled by the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE). The case study looks at three themes of Albania’s COVID-19 response: the socioeconomic impact, an analysis of the application of EDC principles, and CSO good practices in
Read more →BCSDN is glad to present the 2019 edition of the Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development, examining developments in the Western Balkan countries. In 2019, the Western Balkans experienced socio-economic and political challenges that remained unfavourable towards civil society development. While the freedom of association continues to be legally guaranteed in the
Read more →The CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE) has declared its principles and called upon other development actors to join. Within its agenda, CPDE commits to building inclusive partnerships, guaranteeing transparency and accountability, delivering results, and ensuring democratic ownership. The declaration responds to the detrimental impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions that limit people’s rights
Read more →“#EUandYOU – Your story, our future” is a campaign that promotes opportunities and benefits provided by EU programmes available for young people in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The programme consists of three components, three region-wide communication campaigns, an online portal WeBalkans.eu, and a Young European Ambassadors network, all designed to overcome
Read more →The CSO Sustainability Index report for Albania has been published by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation, in partnership with USAID and FHI 360. The report looked at seven dimensions of sustainability: legal environment, organizational capacity, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, sectoral infrastructure, and public image. It concluded that the overall sustainability of the Albanian
Read more →BCSDN member, KCSF, has reflected the European Commission’s (EC) report on Kosovo’s civil society. KCSF has stated that the 2020 report is a realistic reflection of the standing of the environment for civil society development in Kosovo. The EC reported progress on adopting legislative and strategic documents, public consultation at the central level, and easier
Read more →The European Ombudsman’s Office has declared that it will open an inquiry into the possible inadequacy of the European Commission to certify that Croatian authorities upheld fundamental rights while undertaking EU-funded border activity against migrants and refugees. The reaction comes after Amnesty International’s complaint in September 2020 that the Commission failed to address reports of
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