MK-CR-6524710-SIDA-WBCSDH-2023-2027 Balkan Civil Society Development Network The "Western Balkans Civil Society Development Hub" project aims to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Western Balkans by enhancing regional cooperation and advocating for a more enabling environment. Launched in July 2023, this four-year initiative is designed to address challenges to civic space while promoting collaboration and regional advocacy. The project pursues two primary objectives: influencing standards and legislation to support civil society and building greater understanding and partnerships among stakeholders. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency 1 July 2023 BCSDN executiveoffice@balkancsd.net https://balkancsd.net/ Recipient country is the Republic of North Macedonia, but the funds are used for funding activities implemented in the Western Balkans The recipient region is the Western Balkans region 394946 484052 691900 544750 513635 612385 524645 435295 6000000 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) BCSDN 7000000 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) BCSDN 5080000 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) BCSDN 592000 Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) BCSDN 519245 First Tranche Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) Balkan Civil Society Development Organisation (BCSDN) BCSDN’s evidence-based research has been recognized and applied by EU, regional, and national actors in shaping civic space agendas. The Monitoring Matrix Toolkit 2.0 and the reports were used by EU TACSO 3, EU Delegations, FRA, and national CSOs in policy consultations, Rule of Law reports, shadow reporting, and programming documents, demonstrating uptake of BCSDN’s evidence in advancing reforms for a more enabling environment and protected civic space. Similarly, the “From Silence to Strength” report on SLAPPs was cited in EU and Council of Europe advocacy, informed international discussions, inspired a draft law initiative in FBiH, and contributed to SLAPPs being referenced for the first time in the EC Enlargement Strategy and country reports. The report From Silence to Strength: A Regional Response to SLAPPs in the Western Balkans was used as a reference in EU and CoE advocacy on anti-SLAPP measures. Findings were cited in regional and international discussions, inspired a draft law initiative in FBiH, and were recognized by CSOs, media, and judiciary as evidence of SLAPPs being a systemic threat. From Silence to Strength: A Regional Response to SLAPPs in the Western Balkans Civic space restrictions documented and shared; Evidence-based regional and national Monitoring Matrix reports, will provide CSOs, EU institutions, and donors with credible, comparable civic space data to inform advocacy, policymaking, and programming. Report findings sparked debate among CSOs, donors, and EU representatives at conferences/events BCSDN participated in. Members used country-specific findings in national advocacy (e.g., on funding reform, CSO–government councils); FRA and EU Delegation officials acknowledged the MM as a verification tool in civic space consultations; Media mentions and national-level uptake. Monitoring Matrix Regional Report In-depth research on an agreed issue related to the enabling environment, aiming to raise awareness, enrich the public dialogue with new information, and set concrete advocacy goals to be pursued Research and policy documents on specific EE/CSDev issues 1 regional research report published, assessing how shifting donor strategies and funding modalities affect civic space, civil society sustainability and independence in the Western Balkans, with recommendations for more coordinated, flexible and long-term donor support and stronger CSO resilience. 1 regional Research in Focus report published, applying a gender-sensitive lens to the Monitoring Matrix to assess barriers facing gender equality, women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ organizations across the six Western Balkan countries, with recommendations for stronger protection, sustainable funding and meaningful participation in policymaking. 1 regional research report published, documenting SLAPP cases, tactics and gaps in legal protection across all six Western Balkan countries, with recommendations for early identification and dismissal, stronger safeguards for public participation and support for those targeted. BCSDN research on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in the Western Balkans titled “From Silence to Strength: A Regional Response to SLAPPs in the Western Balkans” Connducting annual monitoring and publishin annual monitoring reports on the state of CSO development and Enabling environment in WBT 12 national and 4 regional reports on the state of enabling environment for civil society development in WBT Efficient system that ensures rapid identification of relevant international stakeholders and swift responses to threats against civic space. Regional Civic Space Early Warning System Rapid response with a statement calling for an end to the crackdown on Serbian civic freedoms and urging the EU and international community to act Urgent concerns was circulated widely across regional and international CSO networks, referenced by BiH CSOs in their advocacy toward the Council of Peoples, and included in BCSDN’s monitoring database alongside previous alerts on foreign agent laws in the countries in the region. Response to the adoption of the Foreign Agents Law in Republika Srpska Activities, publications and efforts ammplyfing BCSDN`s advoccay efforts and their visibility Creation adn adoption of the new Communication Strategy, which follows a hope-based approach, and the multi-channel communications campaign reframe the narratives about civil society, emphasising its value to citizens’ lives and crucial role as a critical driver of democratic progress. Communication Strategy A regional campaign available in three local languages that aims to raise awareness of how SLAPPs use legal costs, lengthy proceedings and mounting pressure to silence public-interest voices and discourage public participation across the Western Balkans. A flexible funding mechanism designed to strengthen regional collaboration and coordinated responses to shared civic space challenges across the Western Balkans. It supports regional coalitions through in-person meetings, jointly agreed activities and expert engagement, while enabling targeted support for relevant organizations and networks and strengthening BCSDN’s advocacy presence at key regional and EU events. Civic Space Fund for Joint Actions 2 initiatives supported through a targeted closed call to improve the enabling environment for organizations working on gender issues. 4 initiatives supported through a targeted closed call focused on anti-SLAPP actions. 1 urgent advocacy visit to Brussels organized with Serbian CSOs and activists to draw stakeholders’ attention to the emerging political crisis in Serbia and encourage an early response. Regional thematic coalitions providing platforms for information exchange on advocacy, and coordinated responses to emerging restrictions. Two regional Coalitions on cross-cutting issues established and operationalized Increased awareness and coordinated action among stakeholders regarding the threat of SLAPPs, resulting in agreed activities for ongoing support and advocacy efforts to protect freedom of expression and public participation Regional Multi-stakeholder workshops Bringing together 44 CSO representatives, activists, journalists, media workers and legal experts from the Western Balkans and EU to develop coordinated responses to SLAPPs, informed by BCSDN’s regional research. The workshop resulted in agreed follow-up actions, including a regional SLAPP database and shared methodology, stronger stakeholder engagement, an online platform for communication and support, and coordinated regional advocacy and response. Regional anti-SLAPP multistakeholder workshop Revised, upgreated and redesigned Monitoring Matrix website User-friendly Monitoring Matrix Website Enhanced MM site that provides structured access to all Monitoring Matrix data, with interactive visualisations that clearly show trends in the civil society enabling environment across countries and over time. The web page is dedicated to the Monitoring Matrix and it is containing all relevant information for the matrix/ Enhanced MM site that provides structured access to all Monitoring Matrix data, with interactive visualizations that clearly show trends in the civil society enabling environment across countries and over time. BCSDN’s evidence-based advocacy contributed to concrete policy developments at national level and strengthened the recognition of Western Balkan civil-society priorities in European democracy, enlargement and funding processes. Nationally, Monitoring Matrix findings informed legislative and strategic processes on civic participation, public funding, NGO regulation and the enabling environment, with recommendations taken up in several policy processes across the region. At EU level, Kosovo gained access to the EESC’s enlargement-related work, while new channels opened for engagement on civic-space monitoring and protection, meaningful participation and future EU funding. Together, these developments strengthened BCSDN’s ability to connect national evidence and priorities with policy influence at both national and European levels. Improved awareness of key stakeholders about EE standards and civic space state of play in the WB The event brought together over 150 civil society, EU and national institutions, donors and international partners to discuss regional civic space priorities and demonstrated institutional recognition of issues BCSDN had been advancing. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato stressed the importance of civil society participation in accession, while Albania’s Deputy Minister of Justice highlighted concrete follow-up, including the VAT exemption and participation in European integration structures. The resulting Tirana Declaration consolidated these priorities into common regional asks for further advocacy. The March 2026 Brussels advocacy mission brought BCSDN’s recommendations directly to key EU actors through exchanges with the European Commission, European Parliament and civil-society partners. It helped bring Western Balkan priorities into discussions on participation, civic-space monitoring, protection and early warning under the emerging EU Civil Society Strategy. Activities designed to strengthen the network’s collective capacity to interpret and respond to civic space developments through shared learning, timely information exchange and coordinated communication. These efforts deepen understanding of national challenges, assess their potential regional implications and identify priorities for joint action, while informing the network’s strategic positioning and engagement with its constituencies. Strengthened collaboration within the network Quarterly collection and sharing of member updates through BCSDN’s internal digest, extending knowledge of members’ work beyond joint network activities. An online thematic meeting to gather feedback on Monitoring Matrix implementation and inform the next monitoring cycle. An online exchange following USAID’s withdrawal to assess national developments, share challenges facing members and explore common responses. A design thinking workshop to develop more visible and effective communication with constituencies and stakeholders. A practical workshop on using the MEL framework and recording activities and results consistently across the network. A Council meeting and strategic workshop to inform BCSDN’s positioning beyond 2027 and develop recommendations for its future direction. Throughout the whole annual report there are information supporting the accomplishment of this result. BCSDN annual reports and policy brief on civil society are key advocacy tool, with research findings presented at major regional and European events Strategic regional advocacy actions Regional conference brought together over 150 representatives and demonstrated institutional recognition of issues BCSDN had been advancing. EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato stressed the importance of civil society participation in accession, while Albania’s Deputy Minister of Justice highlighted concrete follow-up, including the VAT exemption and participation in European integration structures. The resulting Tirana Declaration consolidated these priorities into common regional asks for further advocacy. An annual advocacy mission to Brussels aimed at ensuring that Western Balkans and Türkiye civil society priorities inform the implementation of the EU Civil Society Strategy and Democracy Shield and the design of the 2028–2034 MFF. MM reflects contemporary challenges and sets standards for monitoring the digital civic space; MM reflects contemporary challenges specific for CSOs dealing with gender issues Several workshops organized; Number of MM indicators revised, including indicators to mainstream gender issues; Monitoring methodology and tools revised Complex MM methodology developed in 2013 does not fully reflect the changed CSO environment, threats and trends BCSDN strengthened CSO and multi-stakeholder collaboration by turning shared regional evidence and civic-space challenges into coordinated advocacy, protection mechanisms and locally driven responses. Regional cooperation supported concrete joint action on issues such as SLAPPs and gender-related civic-space challenges, while enabling responses tailored to national contexts. BCSDN Strategic Outlook Workshop aimed to address the increasing SLAPP threats to freedom of expression and public participation in the region by developing effective strategies to combat this trend and protect fundamental rights Workshop aimed to address the increasing SLAPP threats to freedom of expression and public participation in the region by developing effective strategies to combat this trend and protect fundamental rights