BCSDN is pleased to announce our new programme Protecting Civic Space- Regional Civil Society Development Hub supported by Sida- the Swedish development policy that will be implemented in the following two years.
Following BCSDN and its members’ common vision to strengthen a vibrant, pluralistic, and rights-based civil society in the Balkans, our Regional civil society development hub will aim to enhance the cooperation and resilience of civil society organisations in the Western Balkan countries, by connecting and empowering them in innovative uptakes of the enabling environment and their practices of accountability. The specific objactives of the programme are: To contribute to a conducive environment for civil society development that enables CSOs to be influential actors in the society; To support effective, transparent and accountable CSOs that contribute in protecting civic space and To Strengthen regional cooperation for promoting civic space through the Civil Society Development Fund.
Civil society in the region, our stakeholders and constituencies can expect a continued regular monitoring of the enabling environment, improved use and promotion of best accountability practices of CSOs in the region as well as grant scheme that would expand these efforts to CSOs in the region. The grant sheme will have Regional – multi-country grants component, Ad-hoc Support Grants – aimed at support CSOs in cases of emergency or in their innovative actions through Expert missions and by supporting their Regional gatherings/Workshops/Community actions and similar. The total amount of the grant is € 1.495.000,00.
Stay tuned for more information through our website and social media.