News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Fundamental Rights Report 2025 paints a stark picture of the ongoing threats to fundamental rights across Europe. The report covers all 27 EU Member States as well as Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia. With democracy under siege, the report exposes alarming trends, including a rise in violence against women and serious rights abuses at EU
Read more →A recent report released by BIRN Serbia and Internews Kosova reveals that Kosovo and Serbian media tend to concentrate primarily on crises and incidents when covering the complex relationship between the two nations. The report, titled “Journalistic Perspectives on Serbia-Kosovo Relations,” argues that this limited scope contributes to growing mistrust and the spread of misinformation,
Read more →In a significant move, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) General Assembly convened on June 3 in Budapest, to express deep concern over the alarming rise in attacks, threats, and pressure on journalists in Serbia. The resolution was put forth by the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Trade Union of Culture, Arts,
Read more →In a vigorous response to proposed amendments to the Electoral Code in North Macedonia, various civic initiatives presented their demands to Parliament on May 30, calling for markedly easier conditions for independent candidacies. These groups are advocating for a maximum requirement of just 50 signatures for independent lists, permission to gather signatures outside State Election
Read more →Skopje was the backdrop for the third convention of the Engaged Democracy Initiative (EDI), where nearly 100 activists, journalists, and changemakers converged from across the Western Balkans. Hosted by the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) from 21-23 May, the event carried the theme “Engage, Inspire, Empower!” and tackled pressing regional issues, including environmental degradation,
Read more →This study explores the mechanisms, methods, and effects of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) in the Republic of North Macedonia, with particular focus on national security, the media landscape, and social cohesion. As a country with a strategic position in the region, a NATO member, and a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, North
Read more →A new civil society-led report sheds light on how the Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Nexus is being put into practice, four years after the adoption of the OECD/DAC Nexus Recommendation. Produced by the Peace & Security Thematic Working Group of the DAC-CSO Reference Group, the report draws on global survey responses and insights from online consultations with
Read more →The triple nexus discourse—linking humanitarian, development, and peace efforts—has emerged in response to a world marked by escalating conflict, widespread fragility, and increasing humanitarian needs. Today, one quarter of the global population lives in fragile contexts, and signs of fragility are becoming evident in more countries than ever before. Observers warn that no country is
Read more →A year after the adoption of the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, legal scholars and civil society actors continue to assess its scope and potential. In a recent EU Law Live op-ed, key reflections are offered on the strengths and remaining gaps in the directive’s design—particularly around cross-border applicability and procedural safeguards for victims. While the directive
Read more →The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) took part in the 10th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum, organized in Budva on 13 and 14 May, by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Bringing together representatives of civil society, social partners, EU institutions, and regional stakeholders, the Forum provided a platform to discuss the state
Read more →Serbia’s EU membership aspirations faced a setback as it remains excluded from membership projections until 2029. This skepticism arises from stalled reforms, political unrest, and Serbia’s alignment with Russia. Although Serbia shows technical readiness for Cluster 3 negotiations, EU officials doubt its commitment. Concerns include slow progress on media freedom, electoral reform, and alignment with
Read more →Concentrated media ownership, declining public funding, and the dominance of tech giants in advertising continue to erode editorial independence, with more than half of journalists reporting interference from media owners. While Europe remains the region with the highest level of press freedom, the Western Balkans face mixed developments. Kosovo experienced the sharpest decline in the
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