The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), of which the Kosovo Civil Society Foundation (KCSF) is a member, has published the eleventh annual Monitoring Matrix report on creating an enabling environment for civil society development, providing a detailed and evidence-based analysis of the state of fundamental freedoms in the Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania) and Turkey for 2024.
The report raises concerns about the deterioration of democracy, and warns of a trend of shrinking civic space across the region, accompanied by administrative obstacles, hostile political discourse towards Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and increasing pressure on journalists and activists.
Key findings at the regional level:
Implementation of fundamental freedoms among the main challenges: Although the legal framework in most countries guarantees the rights to organize, assemble, and express themselves, their implementation in practice continues to be seriously undermined. Civil society organizations face cumbersome registration procedures, disproportionate financial and administrative controls, and divisive and denigrating political discourse – including accusations of being “foreign agents,” particularly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Turkey.
Financial sustainability remains a challenge: Civil society organizations continue to face serious difficulties due to lack of access to diverse funding sources, still underdeveloped and fragmented tax systems, as well as public support that is often characterized by politicization and lack of transparency.
Unsustainable cooperation between governments and CSOs: Although many countries have adopted formal strategies for civil society development, the actual participation of CSOs in policymaking remains superficial and non-transparent. Consultative processes are often rushed or superficial, while independent and critical organizations are often bypassed in favor of actors close to the government.
Key findings for Kosovo:
Lack of transparency in public funding for CSOs: The central government platform for public financing of civil society organizations in the Republic of Kosovo has failed to fulfill its function as a transparent and accountable mechanism, marking a continuous decline in functionality. The report highlights that discrepancies in reporting of over 5 million euros, raising serious concerns about regularity, transparency and accountability for public money.
Changes in the legal environment for CSOs: As a positive development, it is noted that the Assembly of Kosovo has adopted the new Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, through which it has removed civil society organizations from the list of reporting entities – pending review by the Constitutional Court – marking a step towards alignment with international standards and potentially easing banking barriers for CSOs. Recent amendments to the Law on Freedom of Association in NGOs have extended the legal deadline for reviewing applications for NGO registration from 30 to 45 days, a deadline that was already extremely long compared to international standards and the deadlines applied in countries in the region for the NGO registration process, thus imposing several legal barriers that make it difficult to exercise the right to freedom of association through NGOs.
Government-CSO cooperation remains limited: Although strategic documents for civil society development exist, the genuine participation of CSOs in policymaking often remains procedural and superficial.
The full Monitoring Matrix 2024 report can be found here. here.