News and updates from BCSDN and the region
CCSP and BCSDN are pleased to present the fifth report of the Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development, regarding the developments in BiH throughout 2019. The findings present that there is no unified mechanism for allocation of public funds to CSOs; There is a lack of harmonization of the Associations and Foundation
Read more →The research analyzes the progress of the Western Balkans countries towards implementing their commitments since the WB Summits in London and Poznań, as part of the Berlin Process. Findings show that the Berlin Process has succeeded in redirecting the EU’s focus back on the WB6 and starting a high-level dialogue on equal terms between EU-WB6
Read more →Although media space amid COVID 19 in Montenegro was overburdened with disinformation, the key media outlets successfully passed the reporting test in the public interest, without making any deliberate mistakes by creating false narratives or reality representations. On the other hand, tabloids and media from the margins were recognized as creators and channels for channeling
Read more →Seven international rights organizations sent an open letter to the Albanian Parliament, raising their concern over the reports that the ruling party in the country is pressing on with legislation, targeting online media, despite the Venice Commission’s international criticism. In the letter, they urge the Parliament to reconsider the ongoing legislative procedure and put a
Read more →The report is part of the latest edition of the Civil Society Organization (CSOSI) Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. It presents Bulgaria’s political situation in 2019, marked with polarization, populism, political struggles, and deteriorated CSO sustainability. Several legislative proposals questioned basic standards of freedom of association, such as access to funding
Read more →The report indicates that one of the essential factors that contribute to extending the right to participation is the monitoring and reporting of the legal and administrative framework’s implementation. The first part of the report constitutes the roof of the three-section report and the information that was provided regarding the “Monitoring Report of Guidelines for
Read more →Civil society Europe with its members and allies, published a statement to contribute to the European Commission consultation on the European Democracy Action Plan. The statement indicates that EU’s core values- democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights, have been facing increasing challenges within the EU during the last years, including the shrinking civic
Read more →The Open Government Partnership (OGP) provides government and civil society reformers an opportunity to make governments more transparent, participatory, and accountable. Working together, government and civil society in 78 countries and several local members cocreate two-year action plans with concrete commitments across a variety of sectors. The first section features two commitments that fall within
Read more →The European Democracy Action Plan is a chance for the EU to articulate a vision and ambition for European democracies. The Action Plan should provide a comprehensive framework to guide the EU and EU Member States in enacting this vision for strengthening democracy. The paper presents several areas that the Action Plan should contribute to
Read more →Rendir APP is a self-assessment tool designed to improve CSO accountability. The application is a quick and easy way to self-evaluate an organization concerning the Global Standard for CSO Accountability, aiming to identify strengths and areas for improvement. It includes 12 aspirational commitments, focusing not only on what organizations currently do but also on what
Read more →CSOs are occupying more and more spaces in the public sphere, gaining access to more financial and political resources, advocating for civil society and citizen activism, and increasingly influencing public policies and fostering social change. CSOs must establish the principles of legitimacy, transparency and accountability (LTA). The guide looks at how some CSOs are already
Read more →When a CSO is legitimate, transparent, and accountable to stakeholders, it enhances its credibility and sets it on the right part of development. It also facilitates significant engagements with donors, government, and the general public. It aids CSOs to comply with stipulated guidelines and changes the narrative about the public perception of CSOs activities and
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