“Together with Family:” – The 17th Festival of Diversity Kicks off in Albania to mark IDAHOT

14 May 2026 Albania

It is May and as every year, we unite to celebrate diversity and human dignity in Albania, reaffirming the commitment to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion for all. The 17th Festival of Diversity in the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is...

Read More

Equality at the heart of democracy: IDAHOT+ 2026 marked in Serbia

14 May 2026 Belgrade

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia (IDAHOT+) with a ceremonial event held at the “Svetozar Marković” University Library on 14 May. Under...

Read More

Fighting human trafficking facilitated by online technology in North Macedonia

12 May 2026 Skopje, North Macedonia

New technologies, including artificial intelligence, are fuelling a global surge in victims of human trafficking. Children are often targeted by on-line predators, who use these technologies to earn money and obtain benefits by on-line sexual exploitation of children. North Macedonia is no...

Read More

Advancing ethical and disciplinary practices in Montenegro's judiciary

12 May 2026 Podgorica

The Council of Europe and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in cooperation with the Judicial Council, Prosecutorial Council, Supreme Court of Montenegro and Supreme State Prosecution Office, organised a joint training course on Strengthening Ethical and Disciplinary Frameworks...

Read More

Državni službenici/e iz Bosne i Hercegovine jačaju odgovor na rasizam i rasnu diskriminaciju

13. maj 2026. Tarčin, Bosna i Hercegovina

Trideset i jedan državni službenik/ca iz institucija širom Bosne i Hercegovine završio/a je specijalizovanu obuku o borbi protiv rasizma i rasne diskriminacije, jačanju kapaciteta za promociju jednakosti i izgradnju inkluzivnijih javnih institucija. Završni događaj, koji je održan 13.maja u...

Read More

Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia

8 May 2026 Vrdnik, Serbia

Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia gathered in Vrdnik for a two-day workshop on internal and external communication and media relations. Building on the first training session held earlier in April, the workshop further supported the strengthening of communication...

Read More

Call for proposals: support to civil society organisations (CSOs) for fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Montenegro

11 May 2026 Podgorica

Within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” (Horizontal Facility III), and its Action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, a new call for proposals has been launched to support civil...

Read More

Podrška medijaciji i alternativnom rješavanju sporova u Bosni i Hercegovini

28. april 2026. Sarajevo

U okviru projekta “Jačanje efikasnosti i kvalitete pravosuđa u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiHSEJ)”, 27. i 28. aprila 2026. godine održan je niz sastanaka u Sarajevu, Banja Luci i Brčko Distriktu BiH, u cilju procjene sadašnje upotrebe medijacije i drugih mehanizama alternativnog rješavanja sporova...

Read More

Postignut konsenzus o saradnji u regulaciji online sadržaja u BiH

6. maj 2026. Sarajevo

Predstavnici i predstavnice institucija vlasti, nezavisnih regulatornih tijela, medijske i akademske zajednice te civilnog društva usaglasili su se o ključnim principima za unapređenje upravljanja online sadržajem u Bosni i Hercegovini, oslanjajući se na Preporuku Vijeća Evrope CM/Rec(2026)4 o...

Read More

Modernising Property Rights in Albania: Inside the Transformation of the State Cadaster Agency

6 May 2026 Tirana / Albania

How would you describe the ongoing reform undertaken at the State Cadastre Agency in Albania? At the State Cadastre Agency, we have initiated a structural and transformative reform aimed at the modernisation of property administration in Albania. For the first time, we have not focused only on...

Read More

Law students from Legal Clinics in Tetovo strengthen skills to provide Free Legal Aid

29 April 2026 Tetovo, North Macedonia

Primary legal aid provided by authorised legal clinics is crucial for guaranteeing that everyone has access to justice, in line with European standards. In a continued effort to strengthen their capacities to provide free legal aid, especially for the most vulnerable communities, 33 law students...

Read More

From Syria to Reintegration: Supporting Violent Extremist Offenders in the Probation System in Albania

4 May 2026 Tirana / Albania

In her dark clothing, Fatime* sits quietly, seemingly uninterested in any conversation, waits impatiently to meet her Probation Officer in Tirana. Every three months, she is required to report and discuss her progress with the probation authorities. She is one of the nine women who returned in...

Read More

Bosna i Hercegovina unapređuje diskusiju o uvođenju ročišta na daljinu u parničnom postupku

29. april 2026. Brčko, Bosna i Hercegovina

Radionica pod nazivom „Uvođenje ročišta na daljinu u parnični postupak u Bosni i Hercegovini“ održana je 29. aprila 2026. godine u Brčkom uz podršku Evropske komisije za efikasnost pravosuđa (CEPEJ). Događaj je okupio predstavnike pravosudnih institucija iz cijele Bosne i Hercegovine (BiH),...

Read More

"From trauma to testimony“ - Regional dialogue on psychological support to victims of human trafficking

28 April 2026 Western Balkans (online)

"From Trauma to Testimony: The Role of Psychological Support in Human Trafficking Cases” was the main topic of the regional dialogue organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe. The online event brought together more than 60 experts and practitioners in the field of human trafficking...

Read More

New e-learning tool to strengthen police response to racism and discrimination in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnerships regions

22 April 2026 Online

A new E-learning Course on Equality and Non-discrimination in Policing, has been launched, bringing together representatives of law enforcement agencies, equality bodies and civil society organisations from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The course is based on the European...

Read More

Serbian prosecutors discuss judicial reform and European standards

16 April 2026 Belgrade

Members of the Prosecutors' Association of Serbia, convened at a round table in Belgrade to discuss key developments within Serbian judiciary, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen legal culture and enhance the capacities of judicial and prosecutorial councils. The discussions centred on the...

Read More

Strengthening communication capacities of the High Prosecutorial Council of Serbia

16–17 April 2026 Divčibare - Serbia

Members and staff of the High Prosecutorial Council Council gathered in Divcibare in the two-day workshop on “Internal and external communication and media relations”. The workshop focused on enhancing capacities for effective, transparent and co-ordinated communication, both internally and with...

Read More

Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination in North Macedonia explores new strategic approach in combating hatred and discrimination

22 April 2026 North Macedonia

The Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination has taken an important step forward to advance Strategic Planning for Combating Hate Speech and Discrimination in North Macedonia, during the public meeting with the participation of around 20 members and technical staff of the...

Read More

Freedom of expression, defamation and SLAPPs addressed with lawyers in Pristina

Key European standards and practical aspects related to freedom of expression, protection of reputation and abusive litigation (SLAPPs) were addressed during a training with lawyers in Pristina. Participants exchanged on core principles of freedom of expression, including relevant international...

Read More

Love behind locked doors: Supporting children and families in North Macedonia’s prisons

21 April 2026 North Macedonia

The bustling atmosphere in the large visitors’ area at Idrizovo Prison is suddenly broken by the clattering of locks, followed by the mournful sound of the heavy iron door leading to the space where families come together. It is a weekend day and visiting hours have just begun. Prison security...

Read More