Balkan Civil Society Development Network

12/06/2026

Canada opens its World Cup campaign in Toronto. Bosnia and Herzegovina are the opponents. On the pitch, both want the win. Off it, both have uneven playing fields.

The CIVICUS Monitor rates Canada as open, with civic freedoms broadly protected – yet concerns remain over protest restrictions and the targeting of land defenders and Palestine solidarity activists. Their national side may not be among the favourites, but Canada's civil society has the resilience to go the distance.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, rated as obstructed by the CIVICUS Monitor, defied expectations to qualify, and its civil society brings the same tenacity to defending civic space. Despite mounting pressure, including vilification and smear campaigns, activists and journalists are still finding ways to score.

Two countries. Two pitches. Shared determination to keep civic space in play.

11/06/2026

The world's biggest tournament is here, but we're focusing on a different game: the fight for civic freedom. 🌍⚽️

The highlights the brave activists defending our right to speak out and organize. Team Authoritarians are tough, but never stops playing.

Whose side are you on?

10/06/2026

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Güneş Engin Karamancı to the BCSDN Board. Güneş, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Third Sector Foundation of Türkiye (TÜSEV), brings extensive expertise in civil society monitoring, legal frameworks, and regional policy advocacy.

As a long-standing collaborator with our network, she has been deeply involved in developing the Monitoring Matrix on the Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development. She also serves as an Enlargement Candidate Member at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

"Strengthening collaboration between the Western Balkans and Türkiye feels increasingly important, especially in the context of EU alignment and enlargement," Güneş highlighted on joining the Board.

Güneş succeeds Rana Kotan, former Secretary General of TÜSEV. The BCSDN Board and Executive Office extend their deepest gratitude to Rana for her outstanding leadership, strategic guidance, and dedication to safeguarding civic space across the region over the past years.

Join us in welcoming Güneş as we continue our mission to strengthen civil society in the region.

👉 Read more: https://balkancsd.net/bcsdn-welcomes-new-board-member-gunes-engin-karamanci/

08/06/2026

Over 98,000 citizens have signed a public petition opposing planned tourism developments in Albania’s Vjosa–Narta region, one of Europe's most important coastal ecosystems. The initiative follows 2024 legislative amendments to the Law on Protected Areas, which introduced new provisions for infrastructure projects within ecologically sensitive zones.

💡 Why it matters for integration: Following the opening of negotiations on Cluster 4 (Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity), alignment with Chapter 27 (Environment and Climate Change) has become a primary benchmark. International observers and civil society networks highlight that fulfilling these criteria requires strict adherence to nature conservation, independent environmental impact assessments, and public consultations under the Aarhus Convention.

The ongoing dialogue emphasizes a broader regional challenge across the Western Balkans: balancing rapid economic and tourism growth with the rigorous environmental standards required for EU membership.

👇 Read the full text of the petition and follow the update here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-vjosa-narta-stop-construction-in-protected-natural-areas?recruiter=1377235619&recruited_by_id=410b4c00-51e7-11f0-8e8c-a14b46145be6&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard_share_modal&utm_medium=copylink&share_id=2PqsXygKnk

04/06/2026

📢 BCSDN stands in solidarity with civil society organizations in Albania!

We support the joint statement calling for the protection of civic space, the enabling environment for CSOs, and a meaningful dialogue with public authorities. An independent and strong civil society is fundamental for a democratic society.

👉 Read the full statement and show your support: https://scidevcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Declaration_On-the-quality-and-transparency-of-law-making-in-the-European-integration-process.pdf?fbclid=IwZnRzaASNWPBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeMVbi1NzzWIiFt3ZTU2sGv_SR2LIPxR4Tt65zasymukHu1QXJAH-jYkOeIeY_aem_nX4hxawnfeJMwU7ssg34PA

📢 Deklaratë e përbashkët e organizatave të shoqërisë civile.

Organizatat e shoqërisë civile, i bëjnë thirrje Kuvendi i Shqipërisë të sigurojë që zbatimi i procedurës së përshpejtuar për legjislacionin e integrimit evropian të shoqërohet me garanci të qarta për ushtrimin e mbikëqyrjes parlamentare, transparencës, konsultimit publik dhe cilësisë së procesit ligjbërës.

Konsultimi publik duhet të nisë që në fazat e hershme të përgatitjes së politikave apo projektligjeve nga ministritë dhe insitucionet propozues, përpara se këto projektligje të aprovohen nga Këshilli i Ministrave dhe t’i paraqiten Kuvendit.

📌 Kjo çështje merr rëndësi të veçantë pas Konferencës së 8-të Ndërqeveritare dhe hyrjes në fazën përmbyllëse të Grupkapitullit 1 – Themeloret, ku vlerësimi nuk lidhet thjesht me miratimin e ligjeve, por me krijimin e një historiku të qëndrueshëm dhe të monitorueshëm të reformave, duke përfshirë edhe zbatimin, transparencën, konsultimin dhe mbikëqyrjen parlamentare.

I kërkojmë Kuvendit të Republikës së Shqipërisë, që në bashkëpunim me institucionet propozuese dhe në kuadër të rolit të tij ligjvënës dhe mbikëqyrës, të garantojë:
✔️ Arsyetim publik për përdorimin e procedurës së përshpejtuar;
✔️ Dokumentacion të plotë përpara shqyrtimit në komision;
✔️ Konsultim dhe shqyrtim real për ligjet me ndikim të lartë;
✔️ Procedurë të zakonshme për projektligje komplekse ose me ndikim të gjerë;
✔️ Mbikëqyrje parlamentare mbi zbatimin e legjislacionit të integrimit evropian;
✔️ Gjurmueshmëri publike të procedurës së përshpejtuar.

🇦🇱 Lexoni deklaratën e plotë në shqip https://tinyurl.com/4ex8bfuf
🇬🇧 Lexoni deklaratën e plotë në anglisht https://tinyurl.com/2t4c2av6

Organizatat nënshkruese:
• Qendra Shkencë dhe Inovacion për Zhvillim (SCiDEV)
• Partnerët Shqipëri për Ndryshim dhe Zhvillim (Partners)
• Instituti i Studimeve Politike (ISP)
• Instituti për Demokraci dhe Ndërmjetësim (IDM)
• Qendra "Strehëza Edlira Haxhiymeri"
• Shoqata Together for Life (TFL)
• Lëvizja Europiane Shqipëri (EMA)
• Akademia e Studimeve Politike (ASP)
• Rrjeti i Fuqizimit të Gruas në Shqipëri (AWEN)
• Qendra "Aleanca Gjinore per Zhvillim" (GADC)
• Instituti për Bashkëpunim dhe Zhvillim (CDI)
• Faktoje
• Qendra për Studimin e Demokracisë dhe Qeverisjes (CSDG)
• Rrjeti Ballkanik i Gazetarisë Investigative në Shqipëri (BIRN Albania)
• Qendra për të Drejtat e Fëmijëve në Shqipëri (CRCA-ECPAT Shqipëri)
• Këshilli Shqiptar i Medias (KSHM)
• Qendra Shqiptare për Gazetari Cilësore (ACQJ)
• Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Shqipërisë (AGSH)
• Rrjeti Erasmus Tirana (ESN Tirana)
• Rrjeti i Informimit dhe Qytetarisë Aktive (INAC)
• Instituti Shqiptar i Shkencës / Open Data Albania
• Qendra për Mbrojtjen e Mjedisit dhe Zhvillim të Qëndrueshëm (All Green Centre)
• Qëndresa Qytetare
• Qendra Shqiptare për Kërkime Ekonomike (ACER)
• Fondacioni “Së Bashku”
• Qendra Amfora
• Qendra Për Studime të Krahasuara dhe Ndërkombëtare (QSKN)
• Gruaja Shqiptare në Audiovizual (AWA)
• Aleanca Kundër Diskriminimit LGBTI
• Rrjeti i Grave — Barazi në Vendimmarrje

03/06/2026

Significant news regarding Serbia’s path to the EU: The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted a report by Rapporteur Tonino Picula that is much stricter than the initial draft.

The report highlights a lack of progress in democracy, the rule of law, and media freedom. It also raises serious concerns about the investigation into the Novi Sad Railway Station tragedy and calls for a stronger alignment with foreign policy—including ending military cooperation with Russia.

What does this mean for Serbia’s future in the European Union?

Read the details here: https://n1info.rs/english/news/picula-report-highly-critical-of-serbia/

01/06/2026

Amid a prolonged crackdown, mass surveillance, and highly coordinated state repression, Serbia’s student movement continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience.

What began as an outcry for justice following the Novi Sad railway tragedy has evolved into a historic mobilization demanding democratic accountability, transparency, and a halt to institutional erosion. Despite facing physical threats, legal intimidation, and tactics designed to suppress their freedom of assembly, these young activists are refusing to back down.

“By practising direct democracy through plenums, students created a space where every voice mattered and collective decisions were made together. This strengthened identification with the movement and, as the model expanded to citizens’ assemblies, contributed to higher levels of civic participation and local engagement,”- Alma Mustajbašić

At BCSDN, we stand firmly in solidarity with the students, academics, and civil society actors in who continue to peacefully protect civic space. The international community and institutions must not stay silent as democratic freedoms are tested.

Read the full analysis on how resistance meets accountability:
👇
https://balkancsd.net/serbias-students-are-not-giving-up-when-accountability-meets-resistance/

01/06/2026

🇪🇺 No credible enlargement without a strong civil society.

At the EESC High-Level Conference, BCSDN Board Chair Ms. Klotilda Kosta put forward our core priorities for the region:
🔹 Beyond Economics: Convergence demands strong institutions, free media, and protected civic freedoms.

🔹 Structural Inclusion: Civil society must be deeply integrated into reform design and assessment, not just limited to monitoring.

🔹 Concrete Support: The next MFF must secure predictable, accessible funding for regional democratic resilience.

🙌 Real enlargement requires real partnership and protection.

Read the full article: https://balkancsd.net/trust-and-partnership-at-the-heart-of-eu-enlargement-bcsdn-brings-civil-society-priorities-to-high-level-eesc-conference-2/

29/05/2026

Trust and partnership must be at the heart of EU enlargement.

At the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High-Level Conference organised by the EESC - European Economic and Social Committee, and members brought forward key messages on civic space, democratic resilience, and the role of civil society in the enlargement process.

Representing BCSDN, Board Chair Klotilda Kosta, Director of Programs at Partners Albania for Change and Development highlighted that:

🔹 Civil society is essential to advancing democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights across the Western Balkans.
🔹 Democratic resilience depends not only on economic growth, but also on strong institutions, free media, and protected civic freedoms.
🔹 CSOs remain on the frontline of defending democracy while facing shrinking civic space and growing financial insecurity.
🔹 The upcoming EU Civil Society Strategy, Democracy Shield, and MFF offer an opportunity to move from rhetoric to meaningful participation, protection, and support for civil society.
🔹 Future EU funding instruments should provide stronger, more predictable support and ensure meaningful involvement of civil society in enlargement policies and democratic reforms.

❗️During the discussion on the next MFF, Aida Daguda, ED of Centar za promociju civilnog društva called for a stronger and more strategic partnership between the EU and civil society, stressing that genuine convergence cannot be measured by economic indicators alone, but also by the quality of democracy, citizen participation, and the role of independent civic actors.

❗️During the discussion, Juliana Hoxha, ED of Partners Albania for Change and Development raised concerns that civil society is too often confined to a monitoring role rather than being involved in the design of reforms, calling for more meaningful participation and recognition of civil society expertise, while Dren Puka ED of KCSF raised concerns over the often sporadic and difficult-to-follow involvement of civil society in Reform Agendas, SAA structures, and other EU integration processes, stressing the need for more structured and predictable engagement.

A strong enlargement process requires a strong and independent civil society.

29/05/2026

Today in Vienna, Klotilda Kosta, our Chair of the Board, joins leaders and policy experts at the EU–Western Balkans Civil Society High Level Conference.

As the EU looks toward enlargement, the voice of civil society has never been more important. Klotilda will be sharing insights during the session on funding and socio-economic convergence to ensure that the process remains grounded in trust and partnership.

Watch the stream: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/eu-western-balkans-civil-society-high-level-conference/webstream 📖

Read the programme: https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/eu-western-balkans-civil-society-high-level-conference/programme