BCSDN works to protect and expand civic space and strengthen the role of civil society in democratic governance and EU integration across the Balkans. We monitor and generate evidence on the conditions in which civil society operates, and use it to influence policies and institutions that protect fundamental freedoms and enable meaningful participation, and to improve funding policies and practices so they better support civil society’s ability to act, participate and contribute to democratic change.
At the heart of our work is regional cooperation. By bringing together the knowledge and experience of our members, we identify shared trends and emerging risks, develop common positions and responses, and strengthen collective advocacy towards national, EU and international actors.
Our Three Areas of Work
Monitoring the Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development
Tracking the legal, financial and political conditions for civil society through the Monitoring Matrix, and deepening evidence on emerging threats like SLAPPs and AML/CFT frameworks.
Learn more →Shaping EU Policies for Civil Society and Enlargement
Bringing evidence and civil society priorities from the region into EU enlargement, Rule of Law and civil society funding processes.
Learn more →Influencing Donor Practices
Tracking and analysing the funding landscape across the Balkans, advocating for donor practices that are flexible, transparent and locally owned.
Learn more →Our Projects
BCSDN works with its members and partners on regional initiatives that advance our strategic priorities — protecting civic space, strengthening civil society's role in democratic governance and EU integration, and improving the policies and practices that shape civil society development across the Balkans.
Current Projects
Regional Western Balkans Civil Society Hub
A flexible regional support mechanism providing knowledge, innovation, cooperation and rapid-response support to civil society actors protecting civic space across the Western Balkans.
Regional Civic Space Early Warning System in the Western Balkans and Türkiye
Developing and piloting a regional mechanism to identify civic space risks earlier and support coordinated, preventive responses across the Western Balkans.
CIVICUS Monitor: Tracking Civic Space
BCSDN serves as a regional research partner, monitoring freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression across the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
Institutional Support to BCSDN
Supporting BCSDN's institutional development and strategic work on civic space, civil society resilience and regional advocacy.
Past Projects
- Regional Civil Society Development Hub – Phase II
- Western Balkans and Türkiye – Global Expert Hub on AML/CFT
- Improved CSO Responses to the Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Challenges in the Western Balkans
- Strengthening Development Partnerships for Contributing to More Sustainable Development in Europe and Beyond
- Supporting Civil Society during the COVID-19 Crisis
- EU TACSO 3 – Civil Society Needs Assessment and Monitoring
- Protecting Civic Space – Regional Civil Society Development Hub
- CSO Sustainability Index – North Macedonia
- Mirror to the State: Monitoring Anti-Corruption Reforms
- Global Standard for CSO Accountability – Implementation/Extension Phase
- Going the Distance: Building Shared Commitment for CSOs' Sustainability
- Protecting Civic Space: Duties and Participants
- Global Standard for CSO Accountability – Development Phase
- Western Balkan CSOs for Global Development
- Balkan Civil Society Acquis – Strengthening the Sustainability and Advocacy Capacities of CSOs
- Slovak and Balkan Public Policy Fund / Visegrad-Balkan Public Policy Fund
- MAXCAP – Maximizing the Integration Capacity of the European Union
- Balkan Civil Society Acquis – Strengthening the Advocacy and Monitoring Potential and Capacities of CSOs
- Donor Strategies and Practices in Civil Society Development in the Balkans
- Monitoring Visa Facilitation and Liberalisation
- Civil Society in the EU Integration Process