The development of civil society in the Western Balkan countries and Turkey (WBT) was predetermined by the region’s historical, political, economic and cultural contexts. Vast majority of the Western Balkan countries were under the socialist regime and their transition into full democratic systems is still in progress. The evolution of civil society started in the 1990’s and has till now significantly progressed in the development of the enabling legal environment for the operation of the civil society.
In 2014 we have witnessed several worrying developments in the region, affecting the social, political and economic environment of the countries. Political crisis in Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina resulted in a series of anti-government protests. Criticism of the government and opposing views were subject to media censorship, particularly in Serbia and Turkey. Great floods that struck Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina had severe economic consequences and in addition shed light on the lack of engagement and adequate responsiveness of state authorities. However, people from the whole region proved their solidarity with those from the areas affected by floods, mobilized themselves and provided substantial help, either by volunteering or providing financial and in-kind donations.
In order to monitor to what extent the environment of civil society is enabling, the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) and the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) developed a Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development and accompanying Toolkit that guides the monitoring process.The authors of this report recognize the value and parallels of the Monitoring Matrix with the recently adopted EU Guidelines for Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Countries for the period 2014-20202 and are pleased to provide an assessments vis-à-vis their objectives throughout the Report.
This report summarizes the key findings from 8 country reports in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) and Turkey, and compares its findings with the results of the Monitoring Matrix Regional Report, 2013. The country reports were prepared by BCSDN member organizations.
This Regional Report identifies key common issues across the region, in order to highlight the priorities for intervention at the regional level, and to support efforts of civil society organizations (CSOs), public authorities and the European Union (EU) in the creation of a more conducive environment for civil society.
http://monitoringmatrix.net/regional-report-2014/