Author: anja

BCSDN welcomes the EU Parliament’s adoption of the Anti-SLAPP Directive, known as Daphne’s Law. The Directive sets a standard protecting media and public watchdogs from strategic lawsuits, requiring member states’ implementation by 2026. BCSDN has intensified its efforts to tackle this pressing issue due to the alarming prevalence of SLAPPs across the Western Balkans and Turkey. BCSDN has mobilized regional stakeholders and facilitated mutual learning and exchange. Additionally, the network has allocated financial resources to support initiatives aimed at preventing the proliferation of SLAPPs, and started the process of developing in-depth research on SLAPPs in the Western Balkans. BCSDN is…

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The Bosnian Parliament’s upper chamber unanimously passed the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities. Prior to the vote and adoption at the House of Peoples, the House of Representatives adopted the legislation in December last year. This Law is one of the crucial conditions on the country’s path to the European Union. Despite this achievement, key reforms, including the Law on Conflict of Interest and the Law on Courts, are pending. The lack of this legislation also threatened Bosnia and Herzegovina to end up on MONEYVAL’s list of the countries with strategic shortcomings in…

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The SafeJournalists Network expresses concern over the Albanian Supreme Court’s decision on journalist Elton Qyno’s case, where his equipment was confiscated. Qyno challenged the seizure, arguing it violates journalistic source confidentiality. The action sets a worrisome precedent. While legal adherence is acknowledged, it should align with international principles safeguarding journalistic sources, crucial for democratic societies. Attorney Dorian Matlija plans to appeal to the Constitutional Court, asserting the Supreme Court breached its own decision on prosecution procedures for journalist sources. The SafeJournalists Network calls for safeguarding journalists’ source confidentiality, emphasizing its importance for both journalistic rights and the public’s right to…

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The Civic Space Report 2023 prepared by the European Civic Forum highlights the pressing challenges to democracy in the EU, and the need to safeguard democracy. With the impending Defence of Democracy package, the report emphasizes the need to address both external threats and internal challenges to strengthen democratic resilience. Examining the decline in trust in democracy, it attributes the trend to four decades of policies influenced by financial capitalism. The report underscores civil society’s role, facing restrictions and attacks, urging EU institutions to invest in democratic resilience. Recommendations stress the interconnectedness of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental…

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Environmental associations in the Federation of BiH have submitted a law to the parliamentary procedure aimed at protecting citizens, activists, and journalists from lawsuits intended to silence them. The proposed Law on Citizens’ Initiative and Protection of Citizens and Activists aims to create a legal framework safeguarding individuals involved in environmental activism. A press conference organized by BCSDN member CPCD and Aarhus Center Sarajevo highlighted this crucial initiative. The initiative received support from political figures in the FBiH and addresses issues like discriminatory regulations for citizens’ initiatives and proposes anti-SLAPP provisions. If adopted, it this law could offer protections against…

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March is Women’s History Month, celebrating women’s achievements and advocating for gender equality. Accountable Now launches a social media campaign, highlighting Commitment 2: Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the 12 Accountability Commitments. Throughout March, they share tools, resources, and stories from global organizations, inviting submissions for an online gender equality toolbox. The campaign aims to raise awareness, inspire action, and foster dialogue. Submissions include written pieces, visual art, and multimedia no later than 15 March. An upcoming Feminist Youth-Led Research and Practice Webinar on 28 March encourages CSOs’ participation. Register here. Source: Accountable Now

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The #ShiftThePower Summit in Bogota, happened in December 2023, provided insights into trust dynamics and power shifts in global development. The event emphasized the local touch with Colombian stalls, fostering open conversations. Trust emerged as a crucial factor in various development contexts, such as rebuilding trust in war-torn areas, creating safe spaces for collective problem-solving, and redefining impact measurement with qualitative approaches. The summit underscored the need for acknowledging privilege and actively shifting power dynamics within communities and from positions of influence. Read more here. Source: Alliance Magazine

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On March 5-6, 2024, Movement for Community Led Development, CIVICUS, and Peace Direct will host an online consultation on ‘Better Inclusion for Development Conferences.’ The two-day event will discuss the experiences of actors from the Global South in conferences about the locally led agenda. The consultation aims to create guidance for NGOs, foundations, and donors, encouraging better practices in organizing conferences on Locally led Development. Registration deadline is 1 March, 17:00 GMT. The discussions will take place on Peace Direct’s Platform4Dialogue, generating a guidance document for wider sector presentation and advocacy. Read more here. Source: Platform4Dialogue

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The Philea Forum 2024 addresses challenges facing philanthropic organizations in an era marked by eroded public trust and heightened societal demands. Focusing on trust as foundational to legitimacy, the forum seeks solutions to counter misinformation and pitfalls that compromise philanthropy’s credibility. It delves into questions of legitimacy, accountability, and power imbalances within the sector, aiming to foster trust in democracy, institutions, and between generations. Exploring the roots of trust deficits, the forum advocates for trust-based philanthropy principles to rebalance dynamics between funders, grantees, and communities, addressing interconnected challenges and enhancing philanthropy’s impact. If interested in joining, register before 14 May…

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The AidWatch 2023 report assesses European Official Development Assistance (ODA), revealing significant ODA inflation. In 2022, 22.1% of EU reported ODA did not meet basic criteria, with in-donor refugee costs and overcounting of ODA loans being major contributors. Recommendations include increasing ODA to reach the agreed 0.7% GNI/ODA by 2030, reforming the ODA system to exclude inflating items, and enhancing transparency in reporting private sector instruments. To improve ODA’s contribution to economic development and welfare, suggestions include committing to reducing inequalities, aligning geographical allocation with partner countries’ needs, and increasing support for women’s rights organizations and civil society groups in…

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