In recent years, the global trend toward shrinking civic space has deepened in the Western Balkan region. BCSDN’s monitoring of the state of fundamental freedoms in its annual Monitoring Matrix exercise, as well as Civicus Monitor updates for the Balkan countries, record numerous cases of state interference, government intimidation, harassment, and use of strong measures against CSOs, media, and activists, curtailing their effective operations. Yet, these challenges have not hindered civil society, media, and other stakeholders from acting in the public interest. In contrast, the recent examples demonstrate that CSOs in the region can lead the paradigm shift and regain public trust through their transparent and accountable work. The Global Standard for CSO Accountability aims to address these challenges and its dynamic accountability approach seeks to foster effective learning, responsiveness, positive horizontal relationships between stakeholders, and trust with the general public when adequately implemented. Read more here.
Source: Global Standard for CSO Accountability