CIVICUS State of Civil Society Report 2013: Western Balkans Overview
During April CIVICUS published the 2013 edition of their State of Civil Society Report. The 2013 report shows that CSOs still face many uphill battles…
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News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Nation in Transit 2013: Make a “U” Turn after Thessaloniki
In response to domestic pressure for democratic change, authoritarian regimes throughout Eurasia cracked down on civil society and political opposition leaders in 2012, according to…
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BCSDN Comments on DG Enlargement’s Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in Enlargement Countries, 2014-2020
On 14 June, 2013 BCSDN submitted its comments on the DG Enlargement’s draft Guidelines for EU support to civil society in enlargement countries, 2014-2020 which were sent to them in May, 2013. The draft Guidelines has included some positive changes, such as more flexible programming and the availability of longer-term program support for civil society.
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IPA CSF 2007-2011: Evolution not Revolution – The EC and Civil Society Have Both Capacities to Live up to and Beyond the 2% Commitment
In 2009, BCSDN published a policy paper critical of the IPA Civil Society Facility (CSF) design. Then, the EC failed to properly consult and reflect…
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IPA 2014-2020 Regulation & Civil Society: What to Expect?
IPA I (2007-2013) regulation will expire on 31st December, 2013 and IPA II (2014-2020) regulation is in the final preparation phase. BCSDN has prepared a…
Read more →BCSDN Position: Next Phase of TACSO Should be Led by Local CSOs
As a key regional actor in civil society development, BCSDN with its members has been involved in the two phases of technical assistance to CSOs offered in the framework of a TACSO project, primarily as a member of the EU Programming Committee or via its members as LAG members or host of TACSO local offices.
Read more →Background Analysis: EC Progress Reports 2012 & Civil Society Development
However, the most crucial areas for consolidating the enabling environment for CSDev in the mid-term such as tax regime, state support and human resources issues are insufficiently addressed. The greatest novelty this year is a recognition that “more enabling environment and the conditions for improved policy dialogue [need to be]put in place”, steaming from the
Read more →Enlargement Package and EC Progress Reports 2011: Civil Society – Indicator of Progress and Positive Change
BCSDN presents an analysis based on the country Progress Reports published on 12th October against the set policy benchmarks in the European or Accession partnerships for each country as well as against network’s recommendations to the Commission on how monitoring and progress in civil society development and civil dialogue can be achieved in a coherent, effective, ownership
Read more →Enlargement Strategy 2010-2011: Background Analysis on Civil Society and Civil Dialogue Benchmarks
To date, civil society is considered an important part of the Enlargement strategy and is a regional benchmark, which the Commission continues to realize through support to civil society organizations (CSOs) in form of the Civil Society Facility (CSF). Following the publication of the reports BCSDN has prepared a short analysis available now for download.
Read more →Letter to the Commission on the Need for External Evaluation of the IPA CSF and TACSO Project
As of 2nd June, 2010, the Commission announced (through the TACSO website) that there will be no external evaluation to the project. It is not clear whether or when there would be an evaluation of the other two components of the Facility, i.e. P2P and Partnership Action. On 5th June, 2009 (i.e. over one year ago),
Read more →Progress Report 2009-Towards a Civil Society Development and Civil Society Dialogue Acquis?
Following the recent publication of the European Commission’s Progress Reports on candidate and potential candidate countries, BCSDN reviewed them immediately. We have compiled a short analysis of the reports as they pertain to civil society and this is now available for download. Additionally raw data from the Progress Reports are available along with the benchmarks.
Read more →Do Not Forget The Future European Citizens!
In the run-up to the elections for the European Parliament taking place between 4th and 7th June, BCSDN is calling on the new Parliament and the new Commission to not forget the future European citizens once they take office. The manifesto calls on: sustaining the enlargement agenda fully on course amidst the economic crisis and
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