What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: Solidarity in Action: A Transatlantic Collaboration Platform for Peace and Democracy in the Western Balkans (Deadline: June 22, 2025)

Short Description: “Solidarity in Action” is a new initiative by the Aspen Institute Germany and its partners, aiming to create a transatlantic platform for 20 young civil society leaders (aged 25-35) from the Western Balkans, the United States, Germany, Italy, and Romania. The project will run from June 2025 to January 2026, involving virtual workshops

Read more →

CfP: Innovation Schemes Second Call for Proposals (Deadline: 17 June 2025, 13:00 Brussels time)

Target Group: Private-for-profit companies (including start-ups, SMEs, and large companies), as well as research centers legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Aim: To fund innovative AI research and applications linked to energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and space. Selected beneficiaries will contribute to the ENFIELD network, supporting the adoption of trustworthy and

Read more →

CfA: Online Workshops on Storytelling in Journalism and Financial Reporting (Deadline: 22 June 2025)

Short Description: Thomson Media, through its EU-funded project “Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism,” is offering two online workshops for young and mid-career journalists from the Western Balkans. These interactive sessions will focus on Storytelling in Journalism and Financial Reporting, aiming to enhance practical skills and deepen understanding of effective reporting in today’s media landscape.

Read more →

CfA: EIT InfraBooster Practitioner 2025 Cohort 2 for Western Balkans and Neighbouring Countries (Deadline: 26 June 2025)

Short Description: The European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched a final call for applications for its InfraBooster Practitioner initiative. This program is the second level of EIT InfraBooster educational modules, designed to help individuals from universities or research institutes that own publicly funded research infrastructures enhance their competitive edge, design innovative infrastructure-based

Read more →

CfA: Reporting Democracy – Balkan Reporting Grants for Journalists from the Visegrad Region (Deadline: July 10, 2025)

Short Description: BIRN’s Reporting Democracy programme invites journalists from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to apply for a grant supporting in-depth field reporting from the Balkans. The grant includes financial support, editorial mentorship, and logistical assistance in seven countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro. Target Group: Individual

Read more →

CfP: URBACT IV – Call for Transfer Networks (Deadline: 30 June 2025)

Target Group: Local authorities from EU Member States, Partner States (Norway, Switzerland), EU Pre-accession countries (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), Ukraine, and Moldova. Aim: To foster partnerships between European cities for the transfer and local adaptation of one of the 116 URBACT Good Practices in integrated and sustainable urban development. Network Duration:

Read more →

CfA: Advanced training course “Challenges and Perspectives of Science Diplomacy in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe” (Deadline: 30 June 2025)

Target Group: Diplomats, civil servants, scientific officers, researchers, journalists, NGO professionals, business experts, graduate students, and others based in CEI Member States working at the intersection of science, policy, and international affairs. Aim: To build capacities in Science Diplomacy by exploring its evolution and application within European and global contexts, with a particular focus on

Read more →

CfP: Boosting Fact-Checking Activities in Europe (Deadline: 30 June 2025)

Target Group: Independent fact-checking organizations, small-sized news media outlets, NGOs, universities, research centers, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations based in the EU, EFTA, or the UK. Aim: To strengthen the European fact-checking ecosystem by supporting timely and in-depth fact-checking projects that counter disinformation, especially during critical events or around key public interest topics such as

Read more →

CfP: Small Grants Program in North Macedonia (Deadline: 30 June 2025)

Target Group: Registered non-commercial legal entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local/regional self-government units in North Macedonia. Aim: To support small-scale, locally driven development projects aligned with the Slovak Republic’s development cooperation priorities, with an emphasis on flexibility and rapid response to local development needs. Grant Amount: Up to €10,000 per project (total call budget: €20,000)

Read more →

Financial Impact of USAID’s Funding Termination on Macedonian Civil Society

North Macedonia’s civil society is bracing for a significant blow following the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) decision to reduce its funding substantially. For over thirty years, USAID has been a key player in supporting democratic reforms, fostering the growth of civil society, and promoting private sector development in the region. From 2025

Read more →

Networking CSOs for Successful Civic Initiatives

The Civic Resource Center (CRC) in Skopje recently hosted a networking meeting focused on action grants for local initiatives, bringing together grantees and partners from the civil sector in North Macedonia. This gathering confronted the persistent challenges facing organizations in inner Macedonia, where limited logistical access and scarce resources pose significant obstacles to effective operation.

Read more →

BCSDN at POINT 13 – Civil Society in the Western Balkans Navigating a Shrinking Space Amid Funding Freezes and Shifting EU Priorities

The civil society landscape in the Western Balkans is facing unprecedented challenges, a critical issue highlighted at the 13th POINT Conference held in Sarajevo on May 29-30. Toshe Zafirov, BCSDN’s Communications and Advocacy Officer, represented the network at the conference, discussing a pressing topic: “Civil Society Between a Rock and a Hard Place—How to Navigate

Read more →