News and updates from BCSDN and the region
CSOs in Germany are increasingly facing allegations and attempts at delegitimisation, with growing claims that they exert political influence under the guise of non-profit status and with public funding. A new publication, The Anti-NGO Narrative provides a fact-based analysis of these accusations and shows how such narratives work. The accompanying factsheet subjects the main allegations
Read more →CSOs grantees of the “Civica Mobilitas” programme, have formulated and submitted their proposals to candidates for the 2025 local elections, aiming to improve transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and the quality of public services at the local level, as well as to secure sustainable funding for civic initiatives. The proposals are based on the organisations’ experience
Read more →Target Group: NGOs, media organisations, training institutions, and other legal entities with experience in journalism and/or environmental issues. Aim: To support training programmes, workshops, fellowship schemes, and other capacity-building projects that strengthen environmental investigative journalism in Europe. Countries: Europe. Amount: N/A Duration: N/A Deadline: 9 October 2025 Link to more information (Journalismfund Europe).
Read more →Target Group: Registered Civil society organizations, as well as other non-governmental, non-profit associations. Aim: To foster joint efforts between organizations to achieve positive change by combining their capacities around mutually defined priorities. Amount: Up to 3,000,000 MKD Duration: 10–12 months Deadline: 15 October 2025 Link to more information (Civica Mobilitas).
Read more →Target Group: Legally registered businesses, civil society organizations, and academic institutions with solutions beyond the idea stage (piloted, implemented, or validated with users). Aim: To identify and support innovative, tech-enabled solutions that help cities cut emissions, protect biodiversity, build resilience, and leverage digital transformation. Countries: Solutions must be adaptable for secondary cities in Armenia, Montenegro,
Read more →Target Group: Domestic NGOs registered in Kosovo. Aim: To strengthen civic engagement and participation by supporting CSOs to (a) increase citizen involvement in public life through participatory advocacy and (b) improve constituency relations and organizational capacities, ultimately building public trust in civil society. Amount: Up to €40,000 per year (maximum 34 months). Duration: 24 –
Read more →Target Group: CSOs/NGOs, public bodies, educational institutions, business or media associations, and cultural/sports institutions based in the WB6 region. Aim: To support civil society organizations in scaling project ideas from local to regional and international levels, fostering cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding across borders. Countries: WB6 region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia,
Read more →Short Description: A cross-sectoral seminar exploring the role of youth work and the Erasmus+ programme in boosting employability, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation. The event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss generational change, the future of work, and innovative approaches to youth work. Target Group: 40 participants with backgrounds in civil society, public institutions,
Read more →Short Description: The 2025 RECAS Regional Fellowship offers the opportunity to conduct research across Southeast Europe on youth agency and democratic innovation. The program includes fieldwork, student workshops, a Policy Hackathon, and regional collaboration to explore how young people imagine and enact democratic futures amid structural and geopolitical challenges. Target Group: PhD holders or advanced
Read more →Short Description: The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) invites innovators from the Western Balkans to apply for the 4th edition of the Butterfly Innovation Award, celebrating impactful, scalable, market-based solutions from the region. The six most successful ideas – one per category – will receive up to 5,000 EUR each. Target Group: Young individuals or teams
Read more →Short Description: Join this interactive webinar on 14 October to explore how AI impacts democracy. Experts will discuss ways to embed democratic principles into AI governance and assess whether the EU’s new legal frameworks adequately protect democratic institutions and rights. Target Group: Researchers, policymakers, civil society actors, technologists, and democracy advocates interested in AI governance.
Read more →Short Description: Join URBACT at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 in Brussels or online. The sessions will explore how EU-funded programmes foster gender equality, enhance urban resilience, and strengthen security cooperation across Europe. Target Group: City and regional officials, urban practitioners, researchers, and individuals interested in EU-funded urban development and policy initiatives.
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