New EU anti-money laundering regulations, set to take effect in July 2027, pose a significant threat to the enabling environment for civil society organizations (CSOs) by targeting a vital fundraising tool: crowdfunding. Despite being a crucial and low-cost way for CSOs and informal groups to mobilize resources, platforms like North Macedonia’s Op-Op and Slovakia’s Donio will be subjected to the same strict “Know Your Customer” checks as banks. This change, which comes with little evidence of widespread misuse, threatens to create new financial barriers for civil society at a time when traditional donor support is shrinking. Read more here.
Source: Alliance
