News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Target group: CSOs registered in North Macedonia Aim: To promote transitional justice, social cohesion, and human rights protection by fostering trust, supporting communities, and initiating multi-ethnic constructive dialogue. Amount: 5 000–35 000 EUR per project Duration: 4 -15 months Deadline: 27 February Link to more information (UNDP North Macedonia)
Read more →Target group: Think tank organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Aim: To support regional cooperation and joint initiatives that promote democratic values and practices, human rights protection, and environmental sustainability, strengthening the capacity of think tanks to influence policy-making and drive positive change in the Western Balkans. Amount: 5 000
Read more →Target group: LGBTI organisations in Central Europe and the Western Balkans. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia. Short Description: The FutureLab programme aims to foster social acceptance and inclusion for LGBTI people by funding strategic and actionable projects, offering support, and building
Read more →Target group: Liberal women in politics from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia Countries: BiH, Croatia, Serbia Short Description: BAZA – Balkanska Ženska Akademija is a tailored empowerment program organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. It is designed to support liberal women politicians at all stages of their political journey by providing training in
Read more →Target group: Young people aged 18-30, particularly those at the beginning of their activist careers who are passionate about LGBTQI rights. IGLYO welcomes underrepresented groups, including young women, trans and non-binary youth, intersex youth, young people with disabilities, racialised youth, Black youth, young people of colour, and young refugees and migrants. Countries: Open to participants
Read more →Target group: Leaders in civil society, culture, and media organizations working in the fields of democracy, human rights, or freedom of expression. Applicants must be between 22-45 years old and hold a leadership role (formal or informal) within their organization. Countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia,
Read more →Target group: Local media outlets from the Western Balkans. Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia. Short Description: To strengthen democratic governance, media freedom, and the rule of law in the Western Balkans. It offers grants to local media outlets to adopt audience-engagement journalism practices, using the Engaged Citizen Reporting (ECR) tool
Read more →Target group: Mid-career professionals with leadership potential in cyber security or cyber policy in the Western Balkans. Countries: Western Balkans Short Description: The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship is a ten-week program hosted by Cranfield University at the UK Defence Academy, focusing on key cyber security issues such as cyber threats, online business economics,
Read more →Together with our member, Civic Initiatives, we present the 2023 Report on the Civil Society Environment in Serbia. As per report’s findings, fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression, continue to be violated, particularly during the pre- and post-election period. CSOs face targeted campaigns, intimidation and SLAPP lawsuits. Legal frameworks are insufficient to support volunteering,
Read more →Over 100 CSOs have joined the BCSDN member Center for Civil Society Promotion’s (CPCD) call to support demands for revising the Federation of BiH’s 2025 minimum wage reforms. While supporting the wage increase to 1,000 KM, the call warns that excluding CSOs from subsidy programs threatens the sustainability of a sector employing over 6,300 people. Current
Read more →In 2025, the EU has a unique opportunity to push forward Balkan integration. The removal of land borders between Bulgaria, Romania, and the Schengen area marks a significant step towards full integration, with economic benefits for businesses and citizens. Additionally, Bulgaria’s long-awaited entry into the eurozone is set for 2026, offering economic stability and growth.
Read more →The European Commission has launched a targeted stakeholder consultation for the Rule of Law report, running until 24 January, with an additional consultation on the single market dimension. The consultation invites contributions from organizations addressing justice systems, corruption, media pluralism, and checks and balances, including European networks, NGOs, national associations (e.g., judges’ and journalists’ groups),
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