News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The 2025 AidWatch report by CONCORD warns that the EU and its Member States are undermining the purpose of Official Development Assistance (ODA) by inflating figures and diverting funds from genuine development needs. Despite claiming to be the largest ODA provider, the EU’s share of GNI for aid fell from 0.53% to 0.47%. For CSOs,
Read more →The 100 Think Tanks to Watch 2025 initiative recognizes organizations that drive ideas and change worldwide. Nominations from peers highlight institutions for innovative approaches and impactful contributions over the past year. Unlike traditional rankings, it reflects collective appreciation rather than performance metrics. Created by On Think Tanks, it encourages collaboration, celebrates achievements, and fosters shared
Read more →Target Group: Individuals from the Western Balkans, including academic staff, researchers, students, civil society activists, public employees, journalists, artists, athletes, and others engaged in regional collaboration and exchange. Aim: To strengthen regional cooperation and mobility by supporting individual projects that foster collaboration, mutual learning, and connection among people across the Western Balkans region. Countries: Albania,
Read more →Target Group: Individuals, unregistered initiatives, and local NGOs in Kosovo with creative and impactful ideas to promote volunteerism and civic participation at the community level. Aim: To support initiatives that inspire citizen engagement and volunteer action, addressing local challenges and achieving concrete results that strengthen community well-being and participation. Countries: Kosovo Amount: Up to €5,000
Read more →Target Group: Civil society organizations based in Kochani, North Macedonia. Aim: To support local initiatives that foster community healing, trust-building, and youth empowerment in the aftermath of the tragic events of March 2025. The call seeks to promote solidarity, resilience, and dialogue between citizens and institutions, with special focus on psychosocial recovery, inter-community dialogue, and
Read more →Short Description: This training course provides youth workers and adult youth leaders with a structured “curriculum” to plan their professional development, identify areas for formal qualification or competence growth, and consciously develop their own approaches in youth work. Target Group: Youth workers, trainers, youth leaders, youth project managers, youth policy makers, volunteering mentors, youth coaches,
Read more →Short Description: The Gender Budget Watchdog Network (GBWN) is organizing an international conference in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 10–11 December 2025, focused on Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Climate Action Monitoring. The event brings together civil society organizations, policymakers, and experts from the Western Balkans, Moldova, and CEI countries to address the intersection of gender equality and
Read more →Short Description: Implemented by the College of Europe with the support of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST), this five-month residential programme (1 February – 2 July 2026) offers diplomats and officials from the Enlargement Region an in-depth understanding of EU external action and the accession process. The programme will
Read more →Short Description: This e-learning series helps municipalities engage young people in decision-making through tools, training, and support. The fourth webinar, “Managing Youth Participation,” will focus on financial conditions, using Erasmus+ grants, collaboration between municipal decision-makers and youth, and promoting youth participation to the wider public. Target Group: Youth workers, youth policy makers, and municipal youth
Read more →Short Description: The 2025 Regional Conference “Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future” brings together young people from the Western Balkans to discuss youth agency, employment, well-being, digital engagement, and environmental sustainability. Target Group: Young people, youth organizations, and stakeholders from the Western Balkans interested in democratic engagement, youth empowerment, and EU integration
Read more →Short Description: Building on its first edition, STARLIGHT 2.0 offers legal practitioners across the EU an advanced learning experience combining thematic and skills workshops, online legal clinics, and tailored mentorship. Participants deepen their expertise in strategic litigation, applying the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CFR) and CJEU case law to drive systemic change. Target Group:
Read more →Short Description: The European Policy Institute (EPI) – Skopje, as coordinator of the regional project “Monitoring Reforms and Growth in the Western Balkans” implemented in partnership with the Think for Europe Network (TEN), invites all interested CSOs, business chambers, social partners, academia, and other stakeholders in North Macedonia to express their interest in joining the
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