What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

North Macedonia: Civil Sector Helps Bridge the Gap Between Institutions and the People

At the National Forum – Civil Society Fair, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski emphasized that meaningful change requires government-civil society collaboration. He highlighted the government’s vision for a strong, independent, and sustainable civil sector that strengthens democracy, protects rights, and crucially, bridges the gap between institutions and the public. Swiss Ambassador Christoph Sommer echoed this, stressing

Read more →

Citizen Mobilization Forces Bulgarian Government Collapse

Bulgaria’s coalition government unexpectedly collapsed on December 11, 2025, due to sustained and intense pressure from citizen mobilization and anti-corruption protests. This political crisis, triggered by widespread public dissatisfaction over deep-seated corruption allegations and stalled reforms, forced a major political upheaval. The collapse underscores the direct and potent impact of organized civic action on governance

Read more →

Open Letter: Stop the ECBA Withdrawal

Civil Society Europe is urging organizations to sign an open letter demanding the European Commission reverse its decision to withdraw the European Cross-Border Associations (ECBA) Directive. The ECBA proposal, approved by the European Parliament in 2024, would allow non-profit organizations active in at least two Member States to be recognized and operate across the EU

Read more →

FRA Report: Human Rights Overlooked in EU Lawmaking

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 2025 report, Better Legislation – Human Rights Impact Assessments in Lawmaking, reveals that the use of Human Rights Impact Assessments (HRIAs) remains uneven and often superficial across the EU and its Member States. The report criticizes that the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is frequently overlooked in national

Read more →

Guidance on Ensuring Respect for Human Rights while Taking Measures to Counter the Financing of Terrorism

Two UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Groups have launched new guidance to help Member States ensure full respect for human rights while implementing measures to counter the financing of terrorism (CFT). The document provides practical recommendations for defining financing offences, gathering financial intelligence, conducting investigations, and applying targeted financial sanctions. It specifically examines the

Read more →

Western Balkan’s CSOs: Turmoil & Opportunities Ahead

SMART Balkans Research report: CSOs in the Western Balkans are at a decisive moment, confronting shrinking donor support alongside rising expectations tied to EU integration. Although these organizations have significantly contributed to democratization and citizen participation, their financial and organizational models remain fragile. Analysis reveals weaknesses in governance and internal management: while CSOs generally define

Read more →

US Strategy Shift Threatens Civic Space and Donor Environment

The potential new US National Security Strategy (NSS) signals a major threat to civic space and the international donor environment due to its “America First” approach. The NSS prioritizes transactional deals and “authoritarian accommodation,” while explicitly aiming to “cultivate resistance” in Europe by backing ethno-nationalist parties and framing progressive civil society as “suppression of political

Read more →

CERV Programme: Indicative 2026 Calls for Proposals Published

The European Commission has adopted the new Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) work programme (2026–2027) and published the indicative timetable for the 2026 calls for proposals. This gives civil society a clearer overview of upcoming EU funding opportunities—the Union’s main instrument to protect and promote rights and values and support CSOs at all levels.

Read more →

CfP: Culture Connects Grants – UK–North Macedonia Arts Collaborations (Deadline: 23 December 2025)

Short Description: The British Council launches the Culture Connects Grants scheme in the Western Balkans to support innovative artistic collaborations between arts and culture organisations in North Macedonia and UK creatives and institutions. Target Group: Legally registered arts and culture organisations in North Macedonia, including collectives, consortia, communities, charities, and private or public entities, working

Read more →

CfP: UNESCO Global Media Defence Fund – 6th Call for Partnerships (Deadline: 2 January 2026)

Target Group: Local, regional, and global not-for-profit organisations working on journalists’ safety, legal protection, media freedom, investigative journalism, or strategic litigation. Aim: To support projects that strengthen journalists’ legal safety, advance media freedom, and help break the cycle of impunity for crimes against journalists. Countries: Global Amount: USD 15,000–50,000 per grant Duration: N/A Deadline: 2

Read more →

CfP: Türkiye – Strong Civic Space for Equality & Women’s Empowerment Project (Deadline: 5 January 2026)

Target Group: Women’s rights organisations, women-led CSOs, and rights-based civil society organisations legally registered and operating in Türkiye. Aim: To strengthen the civic and political participation of young women while addressing the rising risks of technology-facilitated violence against women (TF VAWG). Country: Türkiye Amount: N/A Duration: Project-specific (as outlined in the proposal and programme guidelines).

Read more →

CfP: Journalism Partnerships – Cross-Border Media Collaborations (Deadline: 4 February 2026)

Target Group: Consortia of at least 3 media and news organisations from at least 3 different Creative Europe Programme countries, including non-profit, public, and private media outlets, media associations, NGOs, journalistic funds, and training organisations. Natural persons are generally not eligible. Aim: To support cross-border media collaborations that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and quality of

Read more →