News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The coronavirus is a significant threat to public health; swift and effective government action is necessary. ICNL explores this tension and how governments can move quickly while upholding human rights in their response to a public health crisis. Governments can use a crisis as a pretext to infringe rights. In recent weeks, governments around the
Read more →Internet connectivity and use of forms of social media have become increasingly central to many aspects of organizing and exercising the right to freedom of peaceful assembly over the past decade. Over the same period, international bodies have regularly acknowledged the prominent role of the internet and the need to recognize that many of our
Read more →In the last several years, democracy indices have recorded that many EU governments have narrowed civic space. Authorities have used a wide range of tools to constrict the space for dissent and contestation; some of their tactics are blunt, others are more subtle. European civil society has begun to respond to the assault on civic
Read more →The main objective of the study is to analyze the current interaction, participation, and engagement patterns and mechanisms between public institutions and civil society. This is facilitated by focusing on the cooperation of CSOs with decision-makers in Parliament, central government (line ministries), local government, and independent institutions. The study finds that the legal and policy
Read more →We live in a time when many governments remain unable or unwilling to provide enabling environments for civil society to flourish. A strong civil society space is a basic pillar for democracy and one of the most important factors in enabling citizens to participate in the systems that influence their lives. A strong civil society
Read more →Based on the discussions during the 100 Day Challenge for their members to work on strengthening their feedback and complaints mechanisms, Accountable Now have collected 12 key steps to creating an effective online feedback and complaints mechanism as the basic mechanism all organizations should have in place, regardless of their size, context, or stakeholder groups.
Read more →The representatives in the open government community are looking for ways to help and to apply the principles of transparency, accountability, and participation to the COVID-19 response. The best role for OGP is to help create an open space for the community to share where they see open government approaches to tackling COVID-19 being implemented,
Read more →The EU is the largest global donor and also a key political actor, with high influence over global policies and international agendas. The EU also recognizes civil society, in all its diversity and multiple roles, as a key development actor and, as such, is committed to political and policy dialogue with CSO partners at the
Read more →Civicus in an open letter urges that in these critical times, we must nurture civic space and its resourceful actors by expanding relevance and resilience, not reducing it. The letter emphasizes to be mindful that the present moment could also be used as an opportunity by some actors to further restrict the civic space. The
Read more →As the coronavirus quickly spreads, many donors are unsure how to step in and help. It is uncertain why nonprofits should step up right now and start talking to their donors, whether it’s wealthy individuals who give directly or those who give through their foundations. The philanthropy experts advise that nonprofits need to do everything
Read more →COVID-19 is undoubtedly the largest global crisis we have faced in our generation, and we don’t yet know what the full ripple effects of this pandemic will be. While local and state leadership mandate the necessary declarations and policies to keep our communities stable and safe, philanthropic leadership too can step up in support of
Read more →Philanthropic giving by foundations and individuals is set to remain an important source of funding for independent civil society in the future. This briefing explores key trends in philanthropy and their possible impact on civic space. The report concludes that changes in technology, the demographics, and priorities of philanthropy over the coming decades will have
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