Skopje, North Macedonia – July 16, 2025 – The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) has released its eleventh annual Monitoring Matrix Report, painting a concerning picture of the state of civic freedoms across the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia) and Türkiye in 2024. The report, a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment, highlights intensified democratic backsliding and efforts to suppress dissent, while also underscoring the vital role and unwavering resilience of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the region.
Authored by Anja Bosilkova-Antovska and Simona Mladenovska, the 2024 report draws on extensive research, including over 100 country-level data points, verified incident reporting, and consultations with civil society. Its aim is to equip policymakers, donors, and civic actors with actionable insights to reverse the erosion of civic space and uphold democratic principles.
Key Findings from the 2024 Monitoring Matrix Report:
The report reveals several critical areas of concern:
- Erosion of Fundamental Freedoms in Practice: While legal frameworks generally guarantee freedoms of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, their practical implementation is consistently undermined. CSOs face burdensome registration procedures, disproportionate financial and administrative scrutiny, and hostile political narratives, including “foreign agent” accusations, particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Türkiye. Criminal defamation continues to be used to silence critical voices in several countries.
- Stagnant Financial Viability: Civil society organizations continue to struggle with financial sustainability due to underdeveloped and fragmented tax frameworks, limited access to diverse funding sources, and often politicized public support mechanisms. The report notes instances of public funding misdirection and a lack of transparency in allocation, citing discrepancies of €5 million in Kosovo.
Inconsistent Government-CSO Cooperation: Despite formal strategies for civil society development, genuine civic participation in policymaking is often superficial and lacks transparency. Consultations are frequently rushed or symbolic, with independent CSOs often sidelined in favor of state-aligned actors.
Spotlight on Key Developments:
The 2024 report highlights both positive and negative developments across the region.
Progressive Steps include:
- Albania’s Financial Intelligence Agency is collaborating with CSOs on anti-terrorism financing guidelines.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska withdrew a draft law on “foreign agents” after public backlash.
- Kosovo is removing CSOs from AML/CFT reporting entities.
- Montenegro is establishing its first state-funded Resource Center for NGO development.
- Mass civic mobilization in Serbia against democratic backsliding.
- CSOs in Türkiye actively influence volunteering frameworks.
Areas of Concern include:
- A significant decline in Kosovo’s public funding tracking platform.
- Increased pressure on CSOs in Türkiye and a proposed “agents of influence” law.
- Challenges with VAT Exemption for Foreign Funding in Albania.
- Rapid law adoption without public consultation in North Macedonia.
- Intensified scrutiny of foreign-funded CSOs in Montenegro.
- Officials in Republika Srpska (BiH) are labeling watchdog CSOs as “enemies of the state”.
BCSDN’s Call to Action:
“The findings of the 2024 Monitoring Matrix Report underscore a critical juncture for democracy in the Western Balkans and Türkiye,” stated Anja Bosilkova-Antovska, co-author of the report. “The erosion of civic space is not accidental; it reflects a strategic attempt to dismantle democratic pluralism. When protestors are beaten, journalists sued into silence, and activists surveilled, the space for democratic debate collapses”.
BCSDN urgently calls upon national governments, the European Union, and international donors to take the following actions:
- Strengthen Legal Certainty: Ensure legal frameworks fully align with international standards and are consistently and fairly implemented, safeguarding fundamental freedoms for all civic actors.
- Foster Sustainable Financing: Develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable CSO funding, including fair tax incentives, predictable public funding, and easier access to banking services.
- Enhance Meaningful Cooperation: Establish transparent and inclusive mechanisms for civil society participation in policymaking, ensuring that CSO input genuinely informs public decisions.
- Proactively Protect Civic Actors: Implement robust measures to protect activists, journalists, and CSOs from harassment, surveillance, and smear campaigns, fostering an environment where dissent is not criminalized but seen as essential for a healthy democracy.
“The resilience of civil society in the face of these mounting pressures is a testament to their unwavering commitment to democratic values,” added Simona Mladenovska, co-author. “Sustained international support and meaningful political will, both domestically and from the EU, are essential to protect these efforts and ensure that civic actors are recognized not as adversaries, but as indispensable partners in building democratic, inclusive, and resilient societies”.
The full 2024 Monitoring Matrix Regional Report is available for download here.