Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from July, 2021
In North Macedonia, some young people manage to build successful businesses during the COVID-19 crisis
Three young entrepreneurs from Bitola, a city in the south of North Macedonia, provide examples of youth who have dealt with the COVID-19 crisis in a creative and positive manner.
Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange accusations in renewed clashes
It was the deadliest clash since Russia brokered ceasefire ended the 44-day war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020.
Community support is vital to women athletes: Kosovo alpinist Uta Ibrahimi
Uta Ibrahimi, an alpinist from Kosovo, talks about her mountaineering adventures and the challenges she faces as an gender equality and environmental activist in this interview for Global Voices.
LGBTQI+ community celebrates the first legal same-sex partnership in Montenegro
The registration of the first same-sex marriage is a historic step for the community in Montenegro, though homosexuality remains a sensitive issue.
Russian internet censor blocks Team Navalny websites
Navalny's main website, navalny.com, as well as over 40 other webpages for Navalny's national network of campaign offices were added to Roskomnadzor's state registry for blocked websites.
Team 29, Russia's most prominent legal defense group, shuts down under state pressure
On July 19, after its website was blocked, Team 29 announced it was shutting down its operations in order to protect its staff and clients from possible criminal prosecution.
State escalates attacks on media freedom and civil society in Belarus
Since the start of July, dozens of civil society organisations and independent media outlets in Belarus have faced law enforcement raids, searches and staff detentions.
Will an award-winning animated film about a Czech woman in Kabul change how Czechs perceive Afghanistan?
A Czech animation movie won a major award for depicting a love story between a Czech woman and an Afghan man. But can this movie change perceptions about Afghanistan?
Pro-European party takes the lead in Moldova's snap elections
President Maia Sandu's PAS party is "the first pro-EU party in the country's electoral history to gain a majority in the legislature."
New application maps accessibility of Ukrainian urban public spaces
The map allows users to filter locations by key features, such as how accessible a venue's entrance is, whether it has accessible bathrooms, a Braille food menu, or baby-changing facilities.
By gathering knowledge, volunteers step in to save and revive the Macedonian music industry
Vasil Buraliev, the founder of the biggest publicly available nonprofit database about music from North Macedonia, talks about challenges of digital activism to promote cultural values.
Protests in front of Czech embassy in North Macedonia target anti-Roma racism and police brutality
The event also evoked the memory of a local case involving the beating of ethnic Roma citizens by police in September 2020.
North Macedonia creates a new national park occupying 2% of its territory
Activists warn, however, that declaring the Shar Mountains a national park will not stop the construction of seven small hydro power plants that are already devastating the area's natural environment.
Second Skopje Pride Parade celebrates diversity in North Macedonia
Attended by President Stevo Pendarovski, the thousand-strong parade showcased support for a community traditionally discriminated against, while celebrating the hope for a society with greater solidarity and justice.
Roma musicians discuss inclusion in larger Czech community
Do the Roma musicians face prejudicial attitudes and discrimination based on their origin in Czechia?
Austrian player Arnautović sparks racism controversy in Euro 2020 football game against North Macedonia
Twitter users pointed out that the perpetrator behind the anti-Albanian incident has a surname which might indicate ethnic Albanian roots in his family.
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