What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

CfA: The Shared Horizons Project: Open Call for Summer Youth Bootcamp Participants (Deadline: 30 April)

Target Group: Young people aged 18–24 and passionate about peacebuilding, dialogue, and social inclusion. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia Short Description: The Shared Horizons project, funded by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organizes four youth summer boot camps in the Western Balkans to foster social cohesion and reconciliation. Duration:

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CfA: Call for applications for the DIGI Heritage Hubs program (18 May)

Target Group: Students and young professionals (aged 18-35) from Europe in archaeology, history, art history, museology, cultural heritage marketing and management, design, animation, creative writing, and computer technologies. Countries: Europe Short Description: The program is a six-day immersive experience focused on fostering collaboration and practical education in cultural heritage and creative industries. It emphasizes new

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CfA: Euro-Atlantic Academy Open Call (Deadline May 10)

Target Group: For individuals interested in careers with NATO, the EU, and other international or domestic security-related institutions. Countries: North Macedonia Short Description: The program covers national and international security systems, security strategy development, and crisis management (natural disasters, terrorism, cyberattacks, propaganda, and refugee crises). Key benefits include a broad thematic scope, high-level lecturers, and

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CASE holds strategic meeting in Brussels to coordinate anti-SLAPP efforts

On 8 April the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) held its annual in-person strategy meeting in Brussels, bringing together legal experts and civil society organisations from across Europe. The meeting focused on assessing progress in tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) over the past year, setting priorities for 2025, and discussing the implementation

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570+ CSOs Unite Against Attacks on Civil Society in the European Parliament

A coordinated statement by over 570 civil society organisations from all EU Member States and beyond, including BCSDN, responds to recent attacks from certain MEPs—primarily from the European People’s Party and far-right groups—aimed at delegitimising CSO advocacy in EU institutions. The narrative, amplified in some media, misrepresents how CSOs are funded and operate, while ignoring

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CSOs Document Sonic Incident at Belgrade Protest, Demand Accountability

Following the March 15 protest in Belgrade, CSOs have filed a criminal complaint for terrorism after an unidentified sonic device disrupted the peaceful gathering during a 15-minute silence. The incident that triggered panic, a stampede, and numerous injuries among the hundreds of thousands present. Witnesses described a deafening sound similar to a low-flying aircraft, often

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Partners Albania Director to Co-Lead EU–Albania Civil Society Platform

In a milestone for Albania’s EU integration process, Juliana Hoxha, Director of Partners Albania for Change and Development, has been elected Co-Chair of the EU–Albania Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) for a three-year mandate. The JCC is a formal body established under the EU–Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement and brings together representatives from Albanian

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Serbia’s Protests at a Crossroads: BIEPAG Calls for Stronger EU Engagement

A new analysis by the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BIEPAG) highlights the student-led protests in Serbia as a critical test for democracy—both nationally and across the Western Balkans. With tens of thousands mobilised across the country, the movement represents the most serious challenge to Serbia’s authoritarian trajectory under President Vučić. The report warns

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North Macedonia First to Receive EU Growth Plan Pre-Financing

North Macedonia has become the first country to receive pre-financing under the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, securing a total of €52.2 million to kickstart reforms outlined in its approved Reform Agenda. Of this amount, €24.5 million will be channelled directly into the state budget to support priority reforms, while €28 million will

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