Save the Date: BCSDN Civic Space Regional Report Launch (27 October, 11h CET, Online)

What does it take for civil society to operate freely, sustainably and with meaningful influence—and how well are these conditions protected across the region?

Across the Western Balkans and Türkiye, civil society continues to face growing pressures on fundamental freedoms, financial sustainability and participation in decision-making. Developments in 2025 revealed significant differences across the region, from excessive policing of protests in Serbia and mass detentions in Türkiye to the adoption of “foreign agent” legislation in Republika Srpska. Funding disruptions, administrative barriers and limited opportunities for policy influence further constrained organisations. Yet progress was also recorded, including the annulment of Republika Srpska’s law, improved VAT exemption procedures in Albania and renewed government–civil society cooperation mechanisms in North Macedonia and Montenegro.

These developments reflect a complex and evolving environment for civil society across the region, reinforcing the importance of continued monitoring and evidence-based advocacy. For more than a decade, BCSDN’s Monitoring Matrix has provided a regional perspective on these conditions, tracking how legal guarantees translate into practice.

Join us on 27 October 2026, at 11:00 CET, for the online launch of the 12^th Monitoring Matrix Regional Report 2026.

Together with national Monitoring Matrix researchers and civil society representatives, we will:

• Present the key regional findings, highlighting shared challenges, country-specific developments and areas of progress;
• Reflect on recent developments and their implications for civic space across the region;
• Discuss EU democracy and enlargement policies and what they mean for civil society protection, participation and sustainability;
• Explore priorities for action, including how monitoring evidence can inform policy engagement, advocacy and timely responses to emerging risks.

REGISTER HERE to receive the Zoom link to join the event.

The official agenda and further details will follow soon.

Source: BCSDN