The European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL), Liberties, and the European Civic Forum (ECF) scrutinize the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act), approved by the European Parliament on March 13. Despite being three years in the making, the AI Act fails to adequately safeguard fundamental rights and civic space. The organizations highlight five major flaws, including gaps and loopholes that dilute prohibitions and weak standards for fundamental rights impact assessments. They argue that the rushed legislative process left significant legal uncertainties, with the European Commission now tasked with clarifying through guidelines and delegated acts. Civil society contributions are crucial…
Author: anja
Romania faces a year of intense political campaigning as it organizes European, local, presidential, and parliamentary elections. Jornalists’ ability to successfully exercise the journalistic mission will be crucial for ensuring free and fair elections. Journalists must resist political pressure to report on political leaders, their programmes, and their records in office to ensure the public can make informed decisions. They will come under the most intense scrutiny for signs of bias and the greatest pressure to exercise bias. Against this backdrop, the report offers a comprehensive examination of Romania’s media landscape through the lenses of media capture, legal obstacles, and…
The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) is organizing a workshop to challenge traditional metrics of evaluating community-driven initiatives. The discussion aims to promote more inclusive and community-centered approaches to measuring success. Traditional metrics often prioritize quantitative outcomes, neglecting the true impact and complexities of civil society. This conversation will highlight innovative measurement methods from various countries worldwide, emphasizing the importance of metrics that align with community-defined success. It advocates for a flexible approach to measurement, based on shared frameworks between local donors and communities, acknowledging both tangible and intangible achievements. Read more here. Source: Global Fund for Community Foundation
The European Parliament and the member states reached a political agreement to provide 6 billion EUR to help Western Balkan countries get ready to join the EU. The highly concessional loans and grants will help make WB economies strong and change things for the better. With this support, the Western Balkans can move faster towards becoming part of Europe. The funds will be spent on making services and infrastructure like roads, energy, and the internet. This will make people’s lives better and help the region meet European standards. The EU commits to providing financial support to the Western Balkans contingent…
Target group: Albanian not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. Aim: The aim of the Democracy Commission Program, Round 2 FY2024, facilitated by the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Embassy in Tirana, is to support initiatives that promote democracy, good governance, human rights, and other related areas in Albania. The program focuses on various topics such as anti-corruption, cyber-security, energy security, empowerment of women and youth, environmental issues, combatting human trafficking, and independent/investigative journalism. Amount: 30,000- 50,000 USD Duration: 6-12 months Deadline: 30 April Link to more information (U.S. Embassy in Albania)
Target group: CSOs registered in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Aim: Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives provides grants to support CSOs for projects that will improve and develop participatory youth policies in communities of the Western Balkans by supporting youth initiatives and fostering active citizenship and participation of young people in monitoring reforms and policies impacting youth in the region. Amount: The total budget of the Youth Fund for Local Youth Initiatives is 250.000 EUR. Any grant requested under this Call for proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amount of 15.000 and…
Target group: A legal person, non-profit-making, a non-governmental organisation and established in Albania or in a Member State of the European Union or in another IPA III beneficiary or in one of the members of the European Economic Area covered by CIR. Aim: The global objective is to strengthen the role and capacity of civil society to promote and defend a more participatory, just, and democratic society. The call for proposals is divided into three lots, each with its own specific objective and priorities. Within the specific objective of each lot, the proposed actions may address one or more of…
Target group: Non-profit legal entities from EU Member States and associated countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Kosovo, and Ukraine), with transnational projects, meeting specified grant criteria. Aim: To combat gender-based violence and violence against children, addressing societal challenges rooted in gender inequality. It seeks proposals for projects that prevent violence, protect victims, and make integrated child protection systems effective. The approach emphasizes an intersectional perspective, acknowledging diverse experiences and attributes. Amount: 100 000– 2 500 000 EUR (depending on priority) Duration: 12-36 months (depending on priority) Deadline: 29 May Link to more information (EC)
Target group: Organisations – media outlets, both traditional and online media, groups/teams of journalists with the status of a legal entity (e.g. associations, formally established networks, etc) and non-governmental media organisations in Western Balkans countries. Aim: To support well-defined innovative projects, actions and initiatives that go beyond regular operations – but not to finance regular operations. The call aims to support projects focused on quality, engaging and innovative content production, local and regional collaboration, professional development, internships, networking, mobility, and validation of business ideas. Amount: Grants for individuals – ceiling of up to GBP 4,000; Grants for initiatives – ceiling…
Target group: Children and youth aged 14-35 from the below-mentioned countries are cordially invited to apply. Countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Vatican City. Short Description: Organised by a diverse group of young climate advocates from all over Europe under the umbrella…