News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A year has passed since Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted its first state-level Strategy for Creating an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development 2025–2029, setting out a framework for more transparent public funding, stronger civil society participation in policymaking, improved institutional cooperation and better resource infrastructure for CSOs. BCSDN member Center for Promotion of Civil Society
Read more →In an opinion for Kosovo 2.0, KCSF Executive Director Dren Puka warns that public property and resources can become tools of pressure when access to them depends on an organisation’s relationship with those in power. Referring to the Municipality of Prishtina’s termination of BIRN Kosovo’s agreement for space in the Grand Hotel, alongside previous cases
Read more →In an interview for Radar, Maja Stojanović, Executive Director of BCSDN member Civic Initiatives, describes an increasingly restrictive environment for civil society and critical voices in Serbia. She argues that international expressions of concern have had limited effect as long as attacks and institutional pressure carry no political consequences. Stojanović points to police searches of
Read more →The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) have raised concerns over a new internal regulation of Albania’s Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), warning that it introduces significant restrictions on journalists’ access to and reporting from court proceedings. Adopted without prior consultation, the regulation reportedly deviates
Read more →The Council for Cooperation between the Government and Civil Society has launched a public call for civil society representatives to join the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility. The Committee monitors the progress and quality of reforms and investments under North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda 2024–2027, linked to the EU’s Growth Plan for the
Read more →European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has outlined four areas in which the EU should adapt its enlargement process to today’s geopolitical realities. Kos called for internal EU reforms to make decision-making more efficient, including limiting opportunities for individual Member States to block decisions. She also stressed the need for stronger safeguards against democratic and
Read more →The EU is preparing to accelerate Montenegro’s accession negotiations, with plans to close all remaining negotiating chapters by the end of 2026 and prepare a first draft of the Accession Treaty by the end of September, Pobjeda reports. The move follows consultations among ambassadors of key EU Member States amid concerns over increased regional hybrid
Read more →The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) delivers a civil society blueprint for shaping the Stakeholder Platform of the new European Centre for Democratic Resilience, a key part of the European Democracy Shield. Recognising civil society as an integral part of democratic infrastructure and resilience, the blueprint calls for the Platform to be an advisory body
Read more →With civil society increasingly reliant on EU support as other funding sources contract, a European Policy Centre analysis examines whether the next Multiannual Financial Framework can deliver on the ambitions of the Democracy Shield and the EU Civil Society Strategy. Despite these new political commitments, the proposed MFF provides only a marginal increase in democracy
Read more →The European Commission is preparing proposals to redesign rules for new EU member states, which are expected to be discussed at the European Council summit beginning on 15 October 2026. The planned changes respond to concerns among some current Member States about the potential impact of future enlargement on EU decision-making. France, Germany and the
Read more →An analysis by the European Democracy Hub examines lessons from Hungary’s recent political change for international democracy aid, highlighting the role sustained support to independent civil society played during years of democratic regression. Hungarian NGOs faced legal restrictions, harassment, intimidation and hostile public narratives, while continuing to provide independent information, investigate government misconduct, defend rights,
Read more →The Citizens’ Alliance for Reform and Growth (CARGrow) published its second ex-post monitoring report on North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda 2024–2027, assessing 39 reform steps across governance and public administration, green and digital transition, human capital, the business environment, and fundamental rights and rule of law. The findings point to progress in establishing legislative, strategic and
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