News and updates from BCSDN and the region
More than 25 participants attended the online conference, organised by BCSDN and ECNL, on 13 July 2020 to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public participation in the Balkans and ways to promote participatory and multi-stakeholder approaches in the relief of the crisis. The two keynote speakers: Anna Rurka, President of the Conference
Read more →Transforming civic space is a key determinant to the sustainability of democratic reforms in the Western Balkans. Open Government Partnership (OGP) suggests frameworks to address key issues on transparency, civic participation, and public accountability, together with a process to establish greater engagement with civil society. The six WB countries have adopted over 350 commitments of
Read more →Bosnia and Herzegovina has a complex, decentralised political system that inhibits reform. The Advisory Council experienced political deadlock that delayed formal decision-making and at the same time, there was a lack of engagement amongst some lower levels of government. However, five years after joining the OPG, the state has initiated its first open government action
Read more →Under EU rules, a member state targets CSOs with a heavy level of transparency reporting due to worries that CSOs can easily be used to disguise money laundering activities. However, these EU laws can become a facilitator for negatively impacting the civic space and work of CSOs, as seen in cases such as the debate
Read more →The CIVICUS report explores the solidarity shown in the civil society responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report outlines some of the many civic responses to the pandemic. CSOs have taken up various roles, such as frontline responders, defenders of human rights, and assisted vulnerable and excluded groups. The analysis uses empirical data, such as
Read more →The survey is being conducted by Integrity Action as a part of research on how to sustain mechanisms of “citizen-centred accountability”. CCA mechanisms function to allow citizens to provide feedback and hold key authorities to account. The survey composed of 11 questions is structured around two key issues: funding models and forms of ownership. Take
Read more →In 2018, the Global Standard for CSO Accountability sought to further the accountability of CSOs using three outcomes measurements focusing on monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning, transparency, and responsiveness. The pandemic has challenged the NGO sector with shrinking funds and disinformation, which has made it more important than ever for CSOs to consider their
Read more →On 10 November 2020, the EU Member States and the European Parliament with the support of the European Commission agreed on the EU’s next long-term budget. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts, it was the largest package ever financed by the EU at 1.8trillion EUR. The agreement seeks to address current global
Read more →In light of COVID-19 and the resultant increasing digitisation, nonprofits have quickly adapted to the new environment, transforming the fundraising world through new digital channels and reaching out to new audiences for funds. Nonprofits are revoluntatising their approach by finding new innovative ways of working to achieve positive results. Fundraising Europe has held interviews with
Read more →The International Situation report gives a snapchat of the international situation from 2019-2020, addressing COVID-19 and global recession’s key global challenges. The report covers how the 2020 recession emerged from an already struggling, pre-pandemic world economy, particularly within Southern economies. The analysis also finds that with increasing global geopolitical competition, there are implications for nations
Read more →As part of the Regional Civil Society Development Hub, BCSDN is pleased to announce the Call for Ad-Hoc Support Grants. Organization from the WB region, struggling with shrinking civic space in their country, facing pressure to the Civic space, incidences of hate speech, hostile attacks, or want to react towards the changes of a law
Read more →Engagement for Joint Action (EJA Kosovo) is calling for small project grants that will support actions of civil society initiatives and capacity building to contribute to a democratic and inclusive society in Kosovo. Applications are open to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, unregistered initiatives and domestics NGOs registered in Kosovo. The funding is
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