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engagingce.bsky.social
Engaging Central Europe
@engagingce.bsky.social
The Central Europe program of @gmfus.bsky.social is building resilient democracies and civil society in the heart of Europe.
https://www.gmfus.org/democracy-work/engaging-central-europe
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
The plan of the Budapest summit is an unfriendly move by the U.S. that rewards Putin and Orbán while ridiculing the EU.
But the EU can do more behind closed doors than merely cross its fingers for an Alaska-like, fruitless summit.
My piece for @euobserver.com
euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Holding a Trump-Putin summit in Budapest would be a charade
Vladimir Putin would have to cross the airspace of at least one, if not more, EU and Nato member states to reach Budapest. This would mean that one EU country, under US pressure, would have to breach ...
euobserver.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
📒 New AUTHLIB Working Paper

💡 In "Varieties of Illiberalism" Lauritz Autischer (CEU), Beatrice Bottura (Sciences Po) and Bálint Mikola (CEU Democracy Institute) explore the relationship between illiberal parties' ideological stances and their policy positions.
Lauritz Autischer - Beatrice Bottura - Bálint Mikola: Varieties of Illiberalism
This AUTHLIB paper by Autischer, Bottura and Mikola explores the relationship between the ideological stance of illiberal parties in Europe and their policy positions on a range of policy areas.
www.authlib.eu
October 7, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints
🗓️ October 30, 2025
4:00 – 5:30 PM CET

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻: buff.ly/Cq4Z8dZ
October 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
📣 𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁: Habits of Democracy: Civic Culture and Civic Education in the Western Balkans
October 28, 2025
3:00 – 4:00 PM CET

Join the virtual event to learn how democratic participation is taught, experienced, and practiced in the Western Balkans.

🔗 Register: buff.ly/ErSEaVq
email.gmfus.org
October 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
Honored to speak at GMF’s event “China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria".

We’ll discuss how China's economic footprint intersects with Bulgaria’s political & strategic choices within the EU & transatlantic context.

Join us: www.gmfus.org/event/chinas...

@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social
China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints
Bulgaria is a potential entry point for Chinese influence in Central and Eastern Europe. Some Bulgarian stakeholders are keen on attracting Chinese investment, but they frequently disregard the associ...
www.gmfus.org
October 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
If you’re interested in how the rise of a far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture are threatening Bulgaria’s democratic path, you can read my latest analysis for @authlibeu.bsky.social:

www.authlib.eu/bulgaria-rev...

@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social
The Links Between Bulgaria’s Revival Party and United Russia Merit Scrutiny
Dimitar Keranov (GMF) explains how the rise of the far-right party, institutional paralysis, and state capture threaten Bulgaria’s democratic path.
www.authlib.eu
October 20, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
It was a real honor and privilege to speak about anti-NGO laws in the European Union at Forum 2000, alongside great colleagues and with @kenlcg.bsky.social as our excellent moderator.
THREAD 1/4
@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social
@authlibeu.bsky.social @ceudeminst.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
"As an #EU and #NATO member, #Bulgaria 🇧🇬 must balance economic opportunities with #China 🇨🇳 against risks to national security, Western alliances, the rule of law, and democracy."

Read more in my & A. Metodieva's analysis:

www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-...

@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social
China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints
www.gmfus.org
October 10, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku!
Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť.
Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking!
➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3
Program na posilnenie kapacít občianskej spoločnosti v Maďarsku a na Slovensku
Výzva na podávanie prihlášok Výzva na podávanie prihlášok
tinyurl.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok!
Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket.
Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok!
ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.
Civil szervezetek megerősítése Magyarországon és Szlovákiában
Pályázati felhívás Pályázati felhívás
tinyurl.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
We had an extremely informative and in-depth election readout with Andrea Michalcová, @petraguasti.bsky.social & Vít Dostál about the domestic and EU & foreign policy implications of the 🇨🇿 elections.
Key takeaway & video in THREAD
@gmfus.bsky.social
@authlibeu.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
How do anti-NGO laws impact human rights & democracy in Central Europe?
Check out my written testimony to the
@tlhumanrights.bsky.social on the topic, now published by
@gmfus.bsky.social @engagingce.bsky.social @authlibeu.bsky.social
👉 gmfus.org/news/anti-fo...
Anti-Foreign NGO Laws: A Tool to Repress Civil Society
Transatlantic Trusts Central Europe Regional Director Daniel Hegedüs appeared before the US House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to give testimony for a hearing on laws outside...
gmfus.org
September 25, 2025 at 8:10 AM
📢Calling all CSOs & civic groups in #Hungary & #Slovakia!
❗️Apply until Oct 20, 2025 for #FOREST to boost your legal, digital, financial & psychological resilience.
Mentoring, trainings & networking opportunities await!
⬇️Info⬇️

@gmfus.bsky.social
FOREST
Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking Spaces and Strengthening their Capacities through Individual Mentoring and Value Mainstreaming in Hungary and Slovakia Fostering CSOs’ Resilience to Shrinking S...
www.gmfus.org
September 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
📢 Figyelem, magyarországi civil szervezetek és informális csoportok!
Jelentkezzetek most a #FOREST programra, hogy fejlesszétek jogi, digitális, pénzügyi és mentális ellenállóképességeteket.
Mentorálás, képzések és kapcsolatépítési lehetőségek várnak rátok!
ℹ️Jelentkezési határidő: 2025. október 20.
Civil szervezetek megerősítése Magyarországon és Szlovákiában
Pályázati felhívás Pályázati felhívás
tinyurl.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
📢Výzva pre všetky mimovládne organizácie a občianske iniciatívy na #Slovensku!
Prihláste sa do programu #FOREST a posilnite svoju právnu, digitálnu, finančnú a psychickú odolnosť.
Čakajú na vás mentoring, školenia a príležitosti na networking!
➡️Info: tinyurl.com/2d5txbx3
Program na posilnenie kapacít občianskej spoločnosti v Maďarsku a na Slovensku
Výzva na podávanie prihlášok Výzva na podávanie prihlášok
tinyurl.com
September 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
🇪🇺 This week: tune into an conversation on the current state of the EU–civil society dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and how the role of CSOs in shaping reforms throughout the accession process can be strengthened.

Register now:
Unlocking Influence: Improving the EU-Civil Society Dialogue in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine
As Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine move forward on their paths toward EU accession, their civil societies are expected to play a critical role in monitoring reforms, promoting transparency, and…
www.gmfus.org
September 8, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
Please join our hearing on anti-NGO laws and their human rights implications at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress.
📆September 9, 2:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CET
For the live webcast, follow the link below 👇
humanrightscommission.house.gov/events/heari...
Laws Regulating Foreign NGOs: Human Rights Implications
Hearing NoticePlease join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing on foreign NGO laws.
humanrightscommission.house.gov
September 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
What change might the upcoming election bring to #Czech foreign policy?
Explore & discuss the potential scenarios with the AMO_cz's great @pavlinajan.bsky.social & Vít Dostál next Thursday in Berlin at @gmfus.bsky.social.
🗓️September 4, 1:00 pm CET
RSVP 👉 www.gmfus.org/event/lines-...
Lines of (Re)Alignment: Czech Foreign Policy After the 2025 Elections
Amid the profound international transformations shaping Europe’s security, stability, and competitiveness, Czechia’s parliamentary elections on October 3–4 seem poised to bring a change in government ...
www.gmfus.org
August 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
Penned together with the great @gbuldioski.bsky.social, our piece argues that even democratic societies need clear concepts of adversaries—and if democratic centrists don’t define them, the radical right and other opponents of democracy will.
www.gmfus.org/news/it-or-n...
@gmfus.bsky.social
Like It or Not, Democratic Societies Need Clearly Defined Adversaries
www.gmfus.org
July 16, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
🇧🇬🇨🇳
Great and comprehensive overview of #China–#Bulgaria relations and the PRC’s influence in Bulgaria by my always sharp colleagues Asya Metodieva and @dimker.bsky.social .
Highly recommended reading 👇
www.gmfus.org/news/chinas-...
@gmfus.bsky.social
@engagingce.bsky.social
China’s Quiet Strategy in Bulgaria: Economic Appeal, Political Constraints
www.gmfus.org
July 23, 2025 at 1:06 PM
JOIN TOMORROW!

🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction?

📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online

#ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts in Ukraine.

@gmfus.bsky.social
Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction
More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...
www.gmfus.org
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The rise of anti-gender movements threaten democratic values in the Western Balkans.
Watch #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski,Adriana Zaharijevic(Uni Belgrade), Irena Cvetkovic(Coalition Margins) & @danielhegedus.bsky.social @gmfus.bsky.social discuss their impact.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVtx...
Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans
YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States
www.youtube.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
🤝Local collaboration among authorities & civil society is crucial for Ukraine's future.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ODw...

@gmfus.bsky.social
Strengthening Civil Society-Local Governemnt Collaboration for Recovery in Ukraine
YouTube video by The German Marshall Fund of the United States
www.youtube.com
July 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
🤝What role for Central Europe in Ukraine's reconstruction?

📌 July 15|4.00 p.m. CET|Online

#ReThinkCEE fellow Dominik Istrate, Bogdan Zawadewicz (Polish Development Bank), Ievgeniia Bodnya & @veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social explore CE's recovery efforts: www.gmfus.org/event/centra...

@gmfus.bsky.social
Central Europe’s Role in Ukraine’s Reconstruction
More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an immense recovery and reconstruction challenge—regardless of when or how the war ends. With over 43,000 civilian lives lost an...
www.gmfus.org
July 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Reposted by Engaging Central Europe
Anti-gender movements are gaining momentum across Western societies, including in the Western Balkans.
Join our great #ReThinkCEE fellow Angel Dimitrievski, Adriana Zaharijevic, Irena Cvetkovic & yours truly to
discuss the impact.
📅June 26, 3:00 pm CET
RSVP⤵️
www.gmfus.org/event/battli...
Battling the Backlash: The Future of Gender Equality in the Western Balkans
Anti-gender movements across the Western Balkans have gained momentum, challenging hard-won human rights and undermining fragile democratic norms. These movements, often backed by religious and far-ri...
www.gmfus.org
June 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM