Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development
Publisher: Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) Volume: 52 pages, pdf Description: Throughout 2016, civil society organizations (CSOs) in most of the countries in the Western Balkans and Turkey operated in a relatively stable legal environment. Yet, notable deteriorations compared to 2015, 2014 and 2013 were reported; political crises, elections and economic instability, coupled with increased citizen unrest and the refugee crisis, left little space for civil society development. Many CSOs, nevertheless, had pivotal role in organizing peaceful assemblies against political, social and economic injustices as, well as actively supporting refugees and migrants passing through the region. The worrisome steps made in several countries in the direction of backsliding and restricting civic space for CSOs and citizens continued throughout 2016.