News and updates from BCSDN and the region
EU member state ambassadors held an extraordinary debate on Serbia following the adoption of judicial laws that the European Commission considers a step backwards in the rule of law. Several countries — including Scandinavian and Baltic states and the Netherlands — expressed serious concern and called for considering a suspension of payments from the EU
Read more →European CSOs have raised alarm after a US congressional report on alleged EU “censorship” published thousands of emails with the names of EU Commission officials and NGO staff visible, while tech company employees’ identities were redacted. The House Judiciary Committee report, based on subpoenaed communications with platforms such as Google, Meta and TikTok, is seen
Read more →International civil society organisations (ICSOs) are under growing pressure to rethink their roles amid declining public trust, funding constraints, and criticism over unequal partnerships. Calls for more locally led approaches emphasise the need to redistribute power and strengthen the autonomy of actors in the Global South. Rather than operating primarily as implementers or intermediaries, ICSOs
Read more →Philea analyses the legal and policy environment shaping philanthropy across Europe through coordinated research at national, EU, and global levels. Working with national experts, it tracks developments affecting how foundations and charitable organisations operate. A key output is the study Comparative Highlights of Foundation Laws, offering a comparative overview of legal and fiscal frameworks for
Read more →The European Research Network on Philanthropy (ERNOP) has announced the forthcoming release of Philanthropy in Europe, a comprehensive, cross-national mapping of philanthropic giving across 20 European countries. The study provides the most extensive comparative overview of philanthropy currently available in Europe, revealing that while giving plays a substantial and diverse role in societies, there are
Read more →Target Group: Local CSOs operating in Serbia and/or Montenegro working on democracy, rule of law, anti-corruption, independent media, and related societal transformation themes. Aim: To support civil society projects that contribute to democratic development, rule of law strengthening, and the enabling environment for free and independent media in line with EU accession-related reforms. Countries: Serbia,
Read more →Target Group: Media outlets, media support organisations, NGOs, private companies, consultancies and start-ups providing media-related services in the Western Balkans. Aim: To strengthen the economic sustainability, operational capacity and competitiveness of small and local media by supporting the establishment or expansion of Media Resource Centers offering shared professional services such as business development, digital transformation,
Read more →Target Group: Local CSOs, particularly smaller NGOs outside Skopje, working directly with vulnerable and marginalized communities to improve access to social and administrative justice. Aim: To support projects that provide legal assistance, raise awareness, educate communities about their rights, and advocate for improved administrative services, strengthening local capacity and citizen access to justice. Countries: North
Read more →Target Group: Journalists and researchers from Albania with previous experience in media freedom, investigative reporting, or related research fields. Aim: To support evidence-based investigations, analytical reports, and in-depth research examining structural, legal, technological, or social factors affecting media freedom and journalists’ safety in Albania. Countries: Albania Amount: EUR 1,500 gross per selected project (minus personal
Read more →Target Group: Small and medium CSOs, grassroots movements, youth and student groups, and local organisations across EU member states, EU candidate countries and eligible partner countries working on economic, gender, climate, or social justice. Aim: To support initiatives that mobilise and engage citizens—especially young people—in advocacy, awareness-raising, and coalition-building around interconnected economic, gender and climate
Read more →Target Group: CSOs, media actors, human rights organisations, and democracy-focused stakeholders operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aim: To support actions that strengthen civil society, independent media, human rights protection, and democratic development across Bosnia and Herzegovina through EU-funded action grants. Countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina Amount: Total programme budget: EUR 5,700,000 Duration: 36–48 months Deadline: 20
Read more →Short Description: BIRN is offering 8–10 fellowships to journalists from Central and South Eastern Europe to produce in-depth investigative or analytical stories under the 2026 theme “Environment”, broadly defined to explore the wider social, political, cultural, technological or historical context shaping a story. Target Group: Professional journalists holding citizenship or permanent residence in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
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