Belarus set to punish information on LGBTIQ, childlessness and gender transition The draft law aims to treat information not accepted by the government as “propaganda” and expands the grounds for restricting freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

🔴 #Belarus aims to punish anyone who spreads information about #LGBTIQ, gender transition, and childlessness!

The new law attempts to demonise social groups, as well as drastically restrict people's privacy and #FreedomOfExpression.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update:

Moldova: New draft Law on Public Events could curb freedom of peaceful assembly The draft Law on Public Events is intended to complement the Law on Public Assemblies, but it is poorly substantiated and could create confusion.

🔴 The new Law on Public Events in #Moldova 🇲🇩 still contains risks for #FreedomOfAssembly

Read the details in the #CSOMeter update:

Ukraine: With public pressure mounting, President promises to change controversial law undermining anti-corruption institutions A law which would set back Ukraine’s democratic progress sparked protests and large international criticism.

🔴 People in #Ukraine mobilised to protest a controversial law undermining the independence of anti-corruption institutions.

Read the details in the new #CSOMeter update via ISAR Ednannia:

Moldova: New Law on Volunteering promises greater recognition and support for civic engagement The new law, passed in first reading by Parliament, introduces long-awaited reforms to regulate, recognise and support voluntary activities.

🟢 Great new initiative from #Moldova 🇲🇩 !

A draft #volunteering law promises to clarify current uncertainties and create a stronger framework to leverage the full potential of volunteer work.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update via :

Ukraine: Legal reform opens new funding channels for youth work New youth policy legislation opens diverse funding channels for youth CSOs and introduces long-term institutional support mechanisms.

🤝 New funding channels - including long-term institutional support - have opened up for youth work organisations in #Ukraine.

👇 Find out more in the #CSOMeter update here:
csometer.info/updates/ukra...

Ukraine: New EU Accession roadmaps include safeguards for civil society The roadmaps lay the groundwork for democratic reforms and were created with civil society participation.

🟢 Good news! The #EUAccession Roadmaps of #Ukraine 🇺🇦 include safeguards for civil society!

The strategic roadmaps were also created with civil society participation.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update via ISAR Ednannia:

🚨 #Armenia: Mining company's lawsuit threatens environmental activism!

Recent #SLAPP case sends chilling signal to workers, journos & civil society that speaking up against powerful entities may come with crippling financial consequences.

Read more via #CSOMeter ➡️ csometer.info/updates/arme...

ECNL newsletter, forward pointing arrow with a pair of shoes

Our latest newsletter is out:
💡 When the space closes: 5 resources for civil society on the move,
🚀 New module on #LearningCenterECNL on EU law,
🌍 #CSOMeter Regional Report ,
⚖️ updates from #Hungary, #Armenia & much more!

Read here and sign up! us3.campaign-archive.com?u=e4a5924ac3...

EU logo, CSO Meter logo on a composite image of landmark monuments from Eastern Partnership countries

📍 The 2024 #CSOMeter Regional Report is here!

💡Civil society continues to drive democratic reforms in #EaP region, even amid increasing restrictions.

🟢 What are the priorities to help civic action in #Aremenia #Azerbaijan #Belarus #Georgia #Moldova #Ukraine?

➡️ csometer.info/updates/civi...

CCTV camera

🚨 #Armenia is to expand biometric #surveillance in public spaces! 🇦🇲

👁️ From August, new law will grant authorities 24/7 access to real-time feeds from #FacialRecognition cameras installed on public buildings.

▶️ Read the details in the latest #CSOMeter update:
csometer.info/updates/arme...

Moldova: What are the priorities to improve the civil society environment

Top 3 developments in 2024

Top 3 priorities to improve civil society environment

💡 What should be the next steps to support the civil society environment in #Moldova 🇲🇩 ?

Read the full 2024 CSO Meter country report here: csometer.info/countries/mo...

#CSOMeter #CivicSpace #PublicParticipation #DigitalRights #FreedomOfAssembly

Ukraine - what are the priorities to improve the civil society environment?

Top 3 developments in 2024:

Top 3 priorities to improve civil society environment

💡 How can we strengthen and support the civil society environment in #Ukraine 🇺🇦 ?

👉 Swipe for details!

Read the full 2024 CSO Meter country report at: csometer.info/countries/uk...

#CSOMeter #CivicSpace

Georgia: Restrictions on access to funding announced as grants from foreign donors might soon require government approval If new amendments are passed, Georgian CSOs will only be able to receive foreign funding if it aligns with the GD government's priorities.

🚨 Another alarming development in #Georgia 🇬🇪

Grants from foreign donors might soon require government approval!

Read more in the #CSOMeter update:

Georgia: New laws restricting civil society and media risk to further isolate the country The Georgian Dream party launches a new set of restrictions to limit civil society space, drawing international criticism and threatening EU aspirations.

🚨 Further drastic restrictions on people's rights and freedoms in #Georgia 🇬🇪

Newly adopted laws are a serious attack on #FreedomOfAssociation, #FreedomOfExpression and #FreedomOfAssembly!

Read more in the #CSOMeter update:

ECNL newsletter, logo with geometric shapes and people in discussion

Here's our latest newsletter:
🔍 Responding to #EUCivicSpace challenges: introducing #MACS
💡 Civil society resilience in Eastern Europe: new #CSOMeter reports
🚀 Launching Civic Journalism Coalition
⚖️ updates from #Netherlands, #Slovakia & much more!

▶️ us3.campaign-archive.com?u=e4a5924ac3...

Moldova: Opposition introduces draft Foreign Agents Law in Parliament CSOs worry that stigmatisation of civil society can become a campaign topic in the upcoming elections.

🔴 In #Moldova 🇲🇩 , opposition proposed a #ForeignAgentLaw!

While the draft is unlikely to pass, it signals the potential stigmatisation of civil society in the upcoming election campaign.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update:

Armenia: What are the priorities to improve the civil society environment?

Top 3 developments in 2024

Top 3 priorities for improving civil society environment

💡 Curious to find out how to best strengthen the civil society environment in #Armenia 🇦🇲 ?

👉 Swipe for details!

Read the full 2024 #CSOMeter report at: csometer.info/reports

Georgia: Freezing funds for fined activists aims to restrict right to protest The Georgian Prosecutor's Office froze the accounts of five foundations providing financial support to protest participants. The government continuously undermines people’s freedom of assembly…

🔴 #Georgia froze the accounts of foundations supporting protesters! 🇬🇪

The accounts contained crowdfunded donations meant to support protesters fined or injured by the police.

Read the details in the #CSOMeter update: csometer.info/updates/geor...

#FreedomOfAssembly

Group of young people posing a photo

🟢 Great news for the future of #Armenia!

👉 The Parliament adopted a new Law on Youth Policy, strengthening the legal framework for youth #PublicParticipation and cooperation between young people and institutions.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update: csometer.info/updates/arme...

Georgia: GD's proposed changes pose a major threat to civil society and media The Georgian Dream parliament proposes legal changes to suppress independent media, discredit CSOs and exclude them from decision-making processes. The changes also remove the concept of 'gender…

🚨 New wave of attacks on people's rights in #Georgia 🇬🇪 !

🔴 Proposed laws infringe on #FreedomOfExpression #FreedomOfAssociation #PublicParticipation and remove the concept of gender from legislation.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update:

Moldova: Government launches review of legislation on transparent decision-making through new working group The Government launched a process to amend the legal framework on transparency in decision-making, while CSOs propose a broader legal approach that extends beyond transparency, to ensure meaningful…

🟢 Together with civil society, the government of #Moldova 🇲🇩 has launched a review of the framework on transparency and public consultations.

It's an important step for both #transparency and #PublicParticipation!

Read more in the #CSOMeter update: buff.ly/ued1GkS

EU flag

🇦🇲 ➡️ 🇪🇺
#Armenia has made an important political declaration in favour of joining the #EuropeanUnion, following a citizens' initiative.

Read more in the #CSOMeter update: buff.ly/nUlMy2m

Civil society in the Eastern Partnership is Europe's strategic partner: This is how funders can support it The US funding freeze delivers yet another significant blow to an already fragile civic sector in the EaP region. But the sector is resilient, and funders must stand up and support the causes.

🔎 And check out our blog for 4 concrete actions funders can take to step in and step up for civil society in the region.
#CSOMeter #AccesstoFunding

▶️ csometer.info/updates/civi...

Belarus: Weekend of unfree elections marked by internet and VPN blocking Between January 25 and 26, websites hosted inside Belarus were blocked for viewing by foreign visitors, and popular VPNs were blocked for users inside the country.

🔴 Amid mass repression of civil society and political opposition, Sunday's unfree elections in #Belarus were also marked by the blocking of internet and VPN services.
#DigitalRights

Read more in the latest #CSOMeter update: https://buff.ly/3Clud93