The report is part of the latest edition of the Civil Society Organization (CSOSI) Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. It presents Bulgaria’s political situation in 2019, marked with polarization, populism, political struggles, and deteriorated CSO sustainability. Several legislative proposals questioned basic standards of freedom of association, such as access to funding and judges and prosecutors’ right to associate freely. CSOs’ public image was deteriorated as trust in CSOs declined, and officials continued to provide negative statements about CSOs. There was also a decrease in organizational capacity as the attacks hindered CSOs’ ability to attract constituents and promote their missions. Advocacy was also affected by the anti-CSO campaign, while financial viability decreased because the available funding sources declined. CSO service provision and sectoral infrastructure remained unchanged. Read more here.
Source: BCNL