What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfP: Youth Hub for Western Balkans & Turkey – Regional Grants for Youth Participation Projects (Deadline: 30 September 2025)

Target Group: Small and medium local NGOs actively engaged in increasing youth participation, particularly from underrepresented and vulnerable groups, including young women, Roma youth, youth with disabilities, and NEET youth, across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey. Aim: To strengthen the capacity of youth-focused NGOs, support evidence-based advocacy, increase civic

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CfP: North Macedonia – EWI Program for Women’s Entrepreneurship (Deadline: 30 September 2025)

Target Group: Women in North Macedonia with a business idea or an existing business in production, services, or agriculture. Priority is given to women from marginalized and vulnerable groups. Aim: To strengthen women’s economic rights by supporting the development and growth of sustainable women-led businesses, improving employability through training, and enhancing institutional and social conditions

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CfP: SMS Facility – Small Grants for Technical/Organizational Interventions (Deadline: 17 October 2025)

Target Group: Small and local media outlets operating in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Aim: To strengthen internal development, operational sustainability, digital adaptation, and independence of small media outlets, enhancing their long-term viability and resilience. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. Amount: Up to €4,900 per

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CfP: BIRN – Grants for Investigative Stories (Deadline: 31 October 2025)

Target Group: Journalists working in or publishing stories covering EU member states and EU aspiring countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, and Kosovo). Aim: To support the production of in-depth investigative stories on critical social, political, and economic issues, fostering accountability and public awareness across Europe. Countries: EU

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CfA: International Seminar – Youth Participation in Social Communities & Democratic Processes (Deadline: 21 September 2025)

Short Description: This international seminar, hosted by the Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù in cooperation with the EuroMed SALTO Resource Centre and Youth South Network National Agencies, will bring together up to 70 participants to reflect on youth participation, civic engagement, and democratic processes in South Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean region. Target Group: Youth workers,

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CfA: Europe101 – Free Online Leadership Programme for Young Adults (Deadline: 23 September 2025)

Short Description: Europe101 is a free online leadership programme for young adults aged 16–30, offering participants the chance to develop essential leadership skills, expand their European network, and prepare for future challenges. Target Group: Young adults (16–30) residing in or connected to Europe, interested in leadership development, networking, and European values. Countries: Open to participants

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CfA: Professional Conference – From Survival to Strategy: A Civil Society Ready for the Future (Deadline: 30 September 2025)

Short Description: This two-day final conference of the Impact4Values program, organized by Solidarna and Slagalica, will gather over 100 civil society organizations to share experiences, showcase achievements, and reflect on the future of the NGO sector. Participants will discuss demographic, political, technological, financial, and organizational challenges, and explore solutions to strengthen the resilience and sustainability

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Public Consultation on the Draft Parameters for the Implementation of the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy

The Council of Europe’s Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) has opened a public consultation on draft parameters for implementing the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, adopted at the 2023 Reykjavik Summit. The text builds on Council of Europe standards in democracy, human rights and the rule of law, aiming to help member states and stakeholders identify

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FRA opens Brussels Liaison Office to strengthen EU cooperation

A new Brussels Liaison Office was inaugurated on 28 August 2025, marking a strategic expansion of FRA’s presence in the EU capital. The office aims to deepen collaboration with EU institutions, Member States’ Permanent Representations, umbrella civil society organisations, and other Brussels-based stakeholders. Its establishment will enable more timely input, stronger stakeholder engagement, and enhanced

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Civic Mobilization as a Response to Institutional Deficit

Across the Western Balkans, the last decade has witnessed a deepening of democratic backsliding, marked by the rise of competitive authoritarian regimes and the growing use of nationalism and religion as political tools. While the formal mechanisms for EU integration remain intact, the underlying commitment to democratic reform appears increasingly compromised. Key institutions are frequently

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