News and updates from BCSDN and the region
BCSDN member, Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD), published the 2023 report on the civil society environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report outlines both enabling aspects and critical challenges faced by CSOs. While CSOs maintain certain freedoms, such as the ability to register and operate with access to foreign funding, numerous obstacles persist. Key
Read more →Serbia and North Macedonia are rethinking EU membership, exploring alternatives that promise economic benefits without the EU’s demands. While the EU has promoted integration with the Western Balkans—most recently through the Berlin Process summit and a 6 billion EUR growth plan—progress remains mixed. North Macedonia’s path has stalled due to Bulgaria’s constitutional demands, while Serbia’s
Read more →The Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), and the Council of Europe will co-host the second European Anti-SLAPP Conference on November 14, 2024. The event will focus on combating SLAPPs—strategic lawsuits intended to intimidate and silence those exercising their rights to public participation. The conference will
Read more →The Turkish government has reintroduced the controversial “agents of influence” bill to parliament after previously withdrawing it due to public backlash. The legislation seeks to add a new offense to the Turkish Penal Code, imposing prison sentences of three to seven years on individuals acting in the interests of foreign entities. While the government asserts
Read more →Media organizations in Serbia are raising alarms over multiple SLAPPs targeting the Serbian investigative news outlet KRIK. Currently facing 16 lawsuits, KRIK journalists Stevan Dojčinović and Bojana Pavlović are being prosecuted by Court Judge Dušanka Đorđević, for alleged data protection violations after the journalists reported on Judge Đorđević’s assets using publicly available information. The plaintiffs
Read more →Between 2016 and 2023, Croatia witnessed a troubling surge in lawsuits against journalists, with over 1,300 cases filed, nearly half classified as SLAPPs. These lawsuits aim to intimidate and silence the press, often initiated by public figures seeking to suppress reporting on issues of public interest. A recent study by the Croatian Association of Journalists
Read more →The SafeJournalists Network has expressed deep concern over the repeated obstruction of journalists’ access to the Albanian Parliament, highlighted by a recent incident on October 17, when journalists were denied entry by the Republic Guard, preventing them from covering parliamentary activities, including filming deputies arriving amid rising tensions. This obstruction is part of a troubling
Read more →The BIRN report, “Open Data and Digitalisation in the Western Balkans: The State of Play,” highlights significant challenges in the implementation of e-government services across the region. Despite the global trend toward digital government, political will and institutional capacity are lacking in the Balkans, limiting access to public services. Countries like Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro
Read more →The ICSC’s Annual Online “Global Perspectives” Conference will address the increasing complexity and distrust in today’s world. It invites participants worldwide to explore the critical role of CSOs in uniting communities and amplifying vulnerable voices. Amid the rise of misinformation and rapid technological change, attendees will engage in discussions on how CSOs can restore trust
Read more →Civic Charge 2025 is an innovative online accelerator launched by Accountability Lab to support social accountability change agents eager to enhance their governance initiatives. Building on the success of the Accountability Incubator, which has empowered over 300 young activists across 12 countries since 2015, this program fosters a global learning community for individuals already engaged
Read more →The AidWatch 2024 report delivered by CONCORD highlights the critical condition of European Official Development Assistance (ODA), revealing significant shortfalls in meeting long-standing commitments. In 2023, ODA from EU Member States totaled 82.4 billion EUR, or 0.51% of Gross National Income (GNI), falling far below the 0.7% target established decades ago. Alarmingly, over 18.9 billion
Read more →Target group: CSOs from the Global South countries, particularly those with restricted civic space. Organizations advancing inclusive democracy and representing historically excluded groups, such as rural communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and the LGBT+ community. Aim: To strengthen the organizing, advocacy, and campaign capacities of CSOs through digital solutions. To support pilot projects that increase
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