The U.S. administration’s 90-day freeze on foreign aid, including USAID funding, has severely impacted civil society in the Western Balkans. The decision has disrupted critical programs supporting independent media, marginalized groups, economic competitiveness, and citizen participation. Beyond the immediate financial fallout, the freeze has emboldened nationalist and right-wing actors to escalate attacks on civil society. Political figures and media allies have used it to discredit CSOs, framing them as corrupt and driven by foreign agendas. BCSDN members and their representatives have not been spared from these attacks either. They have been targeted in coordinated smear campaigns, with confidential financial details leaked to the media. As key actors promoting accountability, transparency, and democratic development, these attacks represent a direct attempt to erode public trust in civic engagement and weaken civil society’s role in fostering democracy. As civil society faces growing hostility, it is crucial to recognize CSOs not merely as aid recipients but as essential partners in societal development. Undermining CSOs means weakening the public good, silences independent voices, and dismantles crucial support structures for citizens. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN