Improving EU Policies

Shaping EU Policies for Civil Society and Enlargement

BCSDN brings evidence and civil society priorities from the region into EU enlargement and democracy policy processes. Drawing on national evidence and advocacy by our members, we identify common regional challenges and engage EU institutions to strengthen civic space protection, meaningful civil society participation in accession and European policy processes, and effective support for civil society.

For more than a decade, BCSDN has contributed to shaping how civil society is addressed in EU enlargement policy, monitoring and funding. Today, we engage across the Enlargement and Rule of Law Reports, accession negotiations and Reform Agendas, EU funding and programming, as well as emerging European initiatives affecting civic space and democratic participation, including the EU Civil Society Strategy and European Democracy Shield.

Explore our Briefs & Analyses →

Shaping EU Pre-Accession Support for Civil Society

Since the introduction of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), BCSDN has worked to ensure that EU funding for enlargement strengthens independent, sustainable and locally rooted civil society and supports its role in democratic reform and the accession process.

We monitor the policy and programming of IPA and the Civil Society Facility (CSF) and engage with the European Commission and EU Delegations to advocate for meaningful civil society participation throughout the funding cycle — in setting priorities, programming, implementation and monitoring of EU assistance. Our advocacy has focused on local ownership, direct access to funding, transparent and inclusive programming, flexible and long-term support, and funding that responds to shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding.

Drawing on BCSDN's Monitoring Matrix findings, regional research, members' experience and our own grant-making experience, we connect EU funding policies with the realities faced by civil society organisations across the enlargement region.

Our IPA Advocacy — From IPA I to IPA III

Assessment of the IPA Civil Society Facility, with recommendations for stronger local ownership and civil society participation in programming.

Open the document →

Analysis of 285 IPA-supported projects, informing BCSDN's recommendations for the IPA II 2014–2020 programming cycle.

Open the document →

Monitoring of IPA CSF programming, funding and transparency, supporting BCSDN's advocacy on the implementation of IPA II.

BCSDN's position on the future IPA III architecture, with a focus on civic space, civil society support and democratic backsliding.

Open the document →

Review of a decade of the CSF, with recommendations on civic space, financial viability and meaningful civil society participation.

Open the document →

BCSDN's contribution calling for meaningful CSO participation, stronger support for the enabling environment and protection of civic space.

Open the document →

Recommendations for CSO participation throughout the IPA cycle, greater transparency and stronger long-term support for civil society.

Open the document →

Joint recommendations for more inclusive programming, stronger local ownership and adequate long-term and core support.

Open the document →

BCSDN's recommendations for more inclusive IPA consultations, meaningful CSO participation and stronger support for an enabling environment.

Open the document →

Related News

BCSDN to Pilot a Regional Civic Space Early Warning System

BCSDN is launching the Regional Civic Space Early Warning System & Response Mechanism, a 12-month pilot aimed at identifying emerging civic space threats earlier and helping translate existing evidence into timely engagement and response. Across the Western Balkans and Türkiye, pressures on civil society often develop gradually. Restrictive legislation, administrative and financial pressures, intimidation, attacks

Read more →