[BE4SI] CEE Regional Roundup - Issue #8

Our social impact sector recap of March 2026 from Central and Eastern Europe

Howdy, Ahoj, Čau, Cześć, Hallo BE4SI readers. Thank you for stopping by. 🌅

Each month, we give you a rewind on major NGO/nonprofit sector activity in Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. We hope you’ll gain insights into the work, challenges, and opportunities that define social impact in the region.

Each edition is intended for those who enjoy long slow reading at a leisurely pace. We pack a lot of info into each edition. But we also do not want you to rush through everything all at once! Slow down, take you time, and scroll in small bites. If you feel like breezing through everything in one sitting, cool. Just know there’s no pressure to enjoy this entire newsletter as quickly as possible. 🐌 🐢

New Readers + Subscribers: You’re probably asking “Why are you doing this?”. Great question! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered right here.

Regional Roundup starts after the photo break… ☕ 🍵

Photo by Aaron Simpson on Unsplash

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🇨🇿 Czechia

Cuts to International Humanitarian Aid: Minister of Foreign Affairs Petr Macinka announced a 50 percent reduction in international assistance budgets. Total funding for these programs will drop to 500 million CZK. This reduction curtails support for international crisis zones like Syria and Yemen. [more, more]

Shifting Humanitarian Support for Ukraine: Reports show Czech NGOs assisted approximately 880,000 people during the fourth year of the conflict. Efforts are now transitioning from emergency relief to infrastructure reconstruction, with a focus on repairing damaged housing, schools, and water systems. Domestic donors have provided over 3.4 billion CZK to support these recovery projects. [more, more, more]

Defunding of Climate Change Education Programs: In late February, Igor Červený was appointed as Minister of the Environment. A member of the Motorists party, he took over the role from acting head Petr Macinka to complete Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's cabinet. He is expected to reinforce the shift in funding priorities announced by Macinka, including a support for nature conservation while ending grants for climate change education. [more, more]

Gaps in Regional Child Welfare: With the abolishment of Infant institutes for children under age three, regional social services report a significant shortage of professional foster parents. Long distances between available foster homes and biological families now complicate child protection efforts. [more]

Elimination of Crime Prevention and Resocialization Grants: The Ministry of Justice recently eliminated four state grant titles for crime prevention. These programs provided probation and resocialization services for released prisoners. The policy change removes funding dedicated to recidivism prevention. Organizations are now seeking private resources to maintain these public safety services. [more]

Adoption of the “Political NGO” Classification: Government officials continue to try to make the pejorative “political NGO” stick to to progressive/left-of-center advocacy-oriented organizations. This attempt at a label classification scheme would offer the basis for withdrawing state financial support to NGOs. The administration and its conservative allies claim public funds should not facilitate political activism or ideological lobbying. Legislative work is currently underway to formally define political activity. [more, more, more, more, more]

State Funding for Political Institutes The state budget allocates 46 million CZK annually to party-affiliated think tanks. This funding is legally mandated for parties with consistent parliamentary representation. The Institut pro politiku a společnost, associated with the ANO movement, received 16.4 million CZK in the most recent cycle. These institutes continue to maintain state support as grants for independent advocacy and environmental NGOs are reduced or eliminated. [more]

Strategic Networking with Foreign Conservative Think Tanks: During a Washington DC visit, Minister Macinka coordinated meetings with the Heritage Foundation. Analytical reports highlighted similarities between the foundation’s Project 2025 and the “Motorists for Themselves” platform. The networking hints at a growing contact with— and alignment between— Czech and American conservative political figures. [more, more]

Changes to Anti-Disinformation Strategy: Prime Minister Babiš appointed Natálie Vachatová, a vocal critic of anti-disinformation efforts, as his advisor for freedom of speech. This move coincides with the dismantling of the state’s strategic communication departments to combat foreign propaganda. Officials argue that the fight against disinformation is unnecessary and that citizens should not be penalized for their opinions. Experts warn that leaving hate speech and lies unchecked will ultimately silence vulnerable groups. [more, more]

Surge in Private Public Donations: According to the 2025 Donation Map from the Czech Donors Forum, annual donations in the Czech Republic reached 15.8 billion crowns (€647,507,700) in 2024, Major Czech nonprofits recorded a sharp increase in private donations during December and January. Fundraising director Tomáš Vyhnálek reported that People in Need (Člověk v tísni) received 141 million CZK in December 2025. [more, more]

Fraudulent Exploitation of Transparent NGO Accounts Scammers are currently using the transparency of nonprofit bank accounts to conduct financial fraud. Victims send small, verifiable donations to legitimate accounts to establish a sense of trust. Perpetrators then redirect these targets to transfer larger sums to separate fraudulent accounts. This tactic recently resulted in a senior citizen losing their entire savings. The sector is currently coordinating with police to address this misuse of transparency. [more]

Public Awareness of the Power of Charity: Czech Radio produced a 24-hour charitable broadcast titled “Dobrý den Radiožurnálu” in early March. The event featured stories from volunteers and philanthropists showcase the sector’s work. Programming included a roundtable discussion on the evolving relationship between the state and the nonprofit sector. In addition to entertainment and performances, the livestream simulcast provided a platform for dozens of charitable organizations to engage the public. [more]

From Business to Charity: Petr Sýkora and Jan Černý started selling office supplies from their garage. Their company eventually became the number one on the market. After selling the company for hundreds of millions of crowns. They went on to found the Nadace Dobrý anděl (Good Angel Foundation), one of the most prominent and important in the Czech Republic, which helps families with children who have had cancer or other serious illnesses. [more]

What’s After NGO Work?: When NGOs need to make budget cuts, qualified nonprofit managers are available on the labor market. So why aren’t businesses taking advantage of the talent? [more]

Showcasing Volunteerism: Národní asociace dobrovolnictví, Dobrovolnické centrum MUNI POMÁHÁ (Masaryk University), and other key organizations are preparing a series of events and activities that will celebrate and strengthen the volunteering landscape in the Czech Republic during the International Year of Volunteers 2026. [more, more]

📌 Czech history and Black History Month converge in our special essay.

📌 Supporting charitable organizations in Czechia as an expat brings positive social impact. Use our quick guide to help your planning.

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🇭🇺 Hungary

Prime Minister Threatens Crackdown on NGOs: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán delivered an annual review speech vowing to eliminate opposition forces he labeled as “fake” NGOs. He claims a conspiracy among his political opposition, non-governmental organizations that receive EU funds, and other EU member governments are targeting him, Hungary’s domestic policies, and attempting to sow discord and conflict. These official statements continue to further an increasingly hostile environment for the independent sector before the April 2026 elections. [more]

Government Efforts to Discredit Foreign-Funded Groups: Officials from the Sovereignty Protection Office continue to allege that international centers are coordinating a disinformation campaign to undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming April 2026 elections. Recent public statements specifically target organizations based in Berlin that receive resources from the European Union. This is part of a larger effort to connect groups operating in Hungary under non-state funding with the label of foreign actors attempting to tamper with voting procedures. [more]

International Observers to Monitor Electoral Framework: The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights opened a formal mission to observe the parliamentary elections. Observers will meet with civil society representatives to understand the pressures facing the independent sector. Experts are paying particular attention to campaign finance and media coverage. [more]

Conference to Defend Election Integrity: Transparency International Hungary announced a regional conference focused on preventing electoral malpractices. Experts will analyze case studies on detecting voter manipulation and disinformation techniques. The event provides a platform for sharing best practices to mobilize citizens as local watchdogs. [more]

State Funding of Campaign-Linked Associations: Journalists are investigating the political independence of associations that receive public grants. Some organizations are reportedly using state funds in ways that heavily feature government candidates, with more than a few linked to a state-controlled fund management firm. [more, more]

Bilateral Aid Emerging as a Sovereign Tool: The Danube Institute’s recent “Politicization of Aid” conference highlighted direct sovereign aid models as a favorable shift away from traditional Western aid and multilateral fundring. Panelists criticized funding from UN and former USAID agencies as vehicles for exporting “woke” ideological agendas. The conference highlighted a shift toward bypassing intermediary organizations in favor of direct, often church-linked, local partnerships that aligning foreign assistance directly with the national interests of the donor country. [more]

Assessing Hungary’s Civic Space: The Monitoring Action for Civic Space project report for Hungary describes a civic space that remains obstructed due to a highly polarized environment, government-led smear campaigns, and new restrictive legislation targeting civil society. [more]

Liberal Reflections on Strategic Errors: Leonard Benardo, vice president of the Open Society Foundations, recently reflected on the challenges liberal actors face in Hungary, noting that some past strategies failed to engage local contexts and public sentiment effectively. His insights echo comments issued last autumn by former CEU rector Michael Ignatieff, who discussed how liberalism’s appeal has been constrained by debates over political correctness and migration, emphasizing the need to articulate core liberal values while addressing broader public concerns. [more, more]

European Court Rules Against Illegal Broadcaster Shutdown: The European Court of Justice found that Hungary illegally forced Klubrádió off the airwaves. Judges determined that the government used procedural pretexts to infringe upon the freedom of information. This decision mandates the European Commission to seek financial penalties against the state if the broadcaster is not restored. [more]

Two Concurrent Streams in the City of Three Rivers: Independent media outlet Ugytudjuk.hu frequently investigates and reports on local and regional corruption, mismanagement, and scandals. The Fidesz-dominated municipal council in Győr recently passed a resolution forbidding the mayor from doing any form of business with the company that publishes the online newspaper. Meanwhile, Győr recently welcomed a new branch of the popular charity shop Jóakaratú Emberek Boltja (The Shop of People of Good Will). [more, more]

Invisible Work as Systemic Barrier for Women: Egyenlítő Alapítvány published a survey identifying invisible work as the primary burden for Hungarian women. Respondents cited chronic mental overload and traditional role expectations as significant hurdles to professional advancement. These findings highlight systemic barriers that negatively impact female income and long-term financial security. [more]

Hungary Joins the European Helpline for Victims of Crime: European Helpline for Victims of Crime. Victim Support Europe's “116006 Helpline” campaign calls on all actors across Europe to ensure that every victim of crime in every EU Member State can reach help simply by dialling 116006, and that the help they receive meets the same high-quality standards everywhere. [more]

New Podcast Series on NGO Community Impact: The Hello Nonprofit platform launched the MAHOLNAP podcast to provide visibility for the nonprofit sector. The series features discussions on how grassroots initiatives and efforts with limited resources can build and strengthen local communities. Initial episodes examine the benefits of professional pro bono volunteering for social impact organizations. [more]

📌 Did you know Hungarian history has a Black History Month connection? Learn more in our special essay.

📌 Hungarian charities do incredible work. You can help as an expat. Our quick guide gives you an overview of what to expect.

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🇵🇱 Poland

NGOs Push for Larger Reforms: In early February, the National Federation of Polish NGOs (OFOP) criticized the government’s approach to the Act on Public Benefit Activity and Voluntary Work. The act functions as the primary legal framework for the sector. Arguing that the government is focused on minor technical changes instead of the broader reforms the sector has long requested, OFOP petitioned the Sejm (the lower house of the parliament) to incorporate NGO proposals into the legislative process. Later in the month, Minister for Civil Society Adriana Porowska stated that the government’s first amendment to the Act had reached the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers. The draft focuses on practical changes, including higher small-grant limits and simplified reporting for small organizations, while coordinating with NGOs on social resilience initiatives. [more | more]

Philanthropy Working Group Holds First Meeting: The National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development (NIW‑CRSO) and the Polish Donors Forum convened the first Working Group on Philanthropy. The meeting brought together government-linked stakeholders and philanthropy actors to discuss policies and frameworks supporting philanthropy in Poland. [more]

Philanthropy Abused and Misused: The former head of the Orlen Foundation, the charitable arm of Poland’s largest energy company, has been charged with illegally spending nearly €1.1 million of foundation money on political advertising linked to the former governing party, Law and Justice (PiS). Prosecutors say the funds, meant for charitable purposes, were used to promote messages connected to a government referendum. Foundations in Poland are legally required to stay non-political, so this spending is considered unlawful. The charges allege financial damage to the foundation, which could make the former head personally liable. [more, more]

Personal Threats Against Charity Leader: Back In January 2026, a senior Polish woman was handed a suspended prison sentence for a Facebook comment in which she expressed hope that Jerzy Owsiak, head of Poland’s largest annual charity fundraiser (WOŚP) would die. While specific personal motivations were identified, it occurs among continued polarization and increased scrutiny of Owsiak by right-wing media and commentators. [more]

Virtual Doughnuts Fund Charity: Polish citizens celebrate Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) by consuming traditional deep-fried doughnuts called pączki. These sweets symbolize national indulgence and trigger impulsive social action. This year, crowdfunding platform Zrzutka.pl converted the cost of one doughnut into a 20 PLN donation for social causes. [more]

Compassion and Volunteering on the Rise: According to recent data from the Centre for Public Opinion Research (CBOS), 42% Poles are involved in in the work of civic organizations. Almost 70% of Poles believe that one should be sensitive to the needs of others and ready to help. And 66% of Poles declared that they have volunteered and provided unpaid community service to individuals or communities in need. [more, more]

Launch of International Volunteer Year Celebrations: The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Volunteer Year for Sustainable Development. The National Institute of Freedom (NIW-CRSO) is the official coordinator for Polish celebrations, working under the motto “Every gesture counts!”. Initiatives throughout the year will encourage local governments, businesses, and academic institutions to promote competency-based volunteering. [more]

Community Conflicts over Heritage and Culture: In Kraków, two stories of community development are unfolding. One story involves buildings that housed people and businesses, on property owned for nearly 150 years by a Catholic religious order in area with a significant Jewish cultural heritage. The other story involves an Islamic foundation, seeking to open a Muslim prayer and cultural center in a residential area. One community faces displacement and redevelopment pressures, as the other seeks space to accommodate its growing population. [more, more, more | more]

Municipal Democracy Monitoring Tool: The Stefan Batory Foundation has published the first Index of Everyday Local Democracy. The index monitors transparency, responsiveness, and resident activity across every Polish municipality. its purpose is to diagnose and identify areas of improvement, while also allowing comparisons between neighboring municipalities and municipalities of similar size. [more]

Press Freedom or Propaganda?: The Open Dialogue Foundation has Kanał Zero of promoting Russian propaganda. The foundation launched a campaign targeting companies advertising on the channel, a major alternative media outlet with 2.2 million subscribers. The head of the channel argues its controversial content is protected under the freedom of the press. The conflict has escalated into a direct, high-stakes battle over accusations of foreign influence, media integrity, and attempts to influence the financial stability of independent media outlets. [more]

Abortion Negligence Verdict Upheld: In 2021, a woman was 22 weeks pregnant when her water broke. Doctors at the hospital delayed a life-saving abortion, waiting for the fetus to die, which resulted in fatal septic shock. Although a 2023 investigation initially concluded that Poland’s 2020 abortion ban did not directly influence the doctors’ actions, the subsequent prosecution and conviction highlighted “extraordinary negligence” in the care provided. Many activists and the family argued the death was a direct consequence of the fear created by the restrictive law. In March 2026, the appeals court upheld the July 2025 convictions against the three doctors involved— with one doctor receiving a tougher sentence. [more]

Supreme Court Divided: Poland’s Supreme Court is currently stuck in a leadership crisis. The previous head, Małgorzata Manowska, was appointed in 2020 in a way many saw as politically linked to the then-ruling PiS party. The top court is now struggling to choose her successor. Judges are deeply divided between “old judges” appointed before 2018 and “neo-judges” appointed under PiS’s controversial reforms. As a result, a large group of judges is refusing to recognise the current procedures for picking the new head, effectively revolting against the system. [more, more, more]

Draft Proposal Against Criticizing Presidential Authority: President Karol Nawrocki has proposed a law that would punish public officials who repeatedly question his powers or the legitimacy of certain courts. Under the draft proposal, judges would also face removal for refusing to recognise some judicial appointments. Critics say it could undermine judicial independence and free speech. [more, more]

Political Party Shakeups: Political parties occupy a unique legal category in Poland. They are not nonprofits and cannot enjoy charitable tax exemptions. But they are publicly funded and strictly regulated, with detailed reporting and disclosure requirements meant to ensure transparency. This system exists so that public money allocated to parties is properly accounted for and accessible to scrutiny. In early 2026, one party faced deregistration and the loss of state subsidies after missing a financial report deadline, and used a legal workaround to preserve its structure and funding. At the same time, another party within the current ruling coalition is facing internal collapse after a contested leadership election triggered a revolt and a parliamentary split. The next major parliamentary elections are coming up in 2027. [more, more || more, more, more]

Citizens Portal to Monitor Politician Credentials: A new guide explains how citizens can use public information access requests to verify the educational backgrounds of local politicians. This comes in the wake of the Collegium Humanum scandal, a nationwide criminal investigation into the sale of fraudulent MBA degrees to public officials. Polish courts have confirmed that the education level of individuals in public roles constitutes public information. [more]

📌 Polish history and Black History Month? You bet we did. Our special essay takes you there.

📌 Thinking about supporting a good cause in Poland as an expat? Let our quick guide help you think through the giving process.

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🇸🇰 Slovakia

Restrictive NGO Transparency Legislation Overturned: Back in December 2025, the Constitutional Court (Slovakia’s highest judicial body) declared the 2025 NGO transparency law unconstitutional. This ruling, published officially in early February 2026, stripped the state of its ability to force NGOs to disclose individual donor names. The Court determined that such mandates violated fundamental human rights and the freedom of association. Róbert Dobrovodský, the Public Overseer of Rights (the national ombudsman), successfully argued that NGOs are private entities managing private assets. This judicial intervention effectively invalidated the primary legislative tool the government intended for sector oversight. [more]

PM Responds to Judicial Loss: Prime Minister Robert Fico reacted to the judicial loss in February by authorizing intensified state inspections of civil society. He publicly stated that the Constitutional Court was “protecting NGOs from oversight” and called these groups the “greatest danger” to the country. A government resolution directed the Ministry of Interior and other state bodies to use all existing legal mechanisms for to impose controls on the sector. The inspections will specifically target financial management, tax compliance, and the handling of public funds. Critics called the move as an authoritarian attempt to harass civic actors. [more, more]

Government Implements Defunding Strategy: Concurrent with the proposed audits, the Fico administration moved swiftly to enact a systematic reduction of access to public resources. One analysis documented a loss of EUR 16 million for critical organizations in culture, human rights, and the environment. Platform for Democracy, a coalition of civic groups. called the move a deliberate breach of the long-term partnership between the state and the third sector. [more, more, more, more]

Civil Society Leaders Demand Commissioner Resignation: A group of 120 sector leaders formally requested the resignation of Simona Zacharová, the Government Commissioner for the Development of Civil Society. Signatories accused Zacharová of betraying her mission by supporting the restrictive transparency law later found unconstitutional. Zacharová responded that she successfully advocated for removing “foreign agent” labels from the original draft, and that increasing transparency remains a legitimate goal for the sector. [more]

National Lobbying Act and Public Gift Register: The State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior announced the drafting of a comprehensive lobbying act. The proposal includes a public register for lobbyists and a separate register for gifts received by public officials. This initiative responds to long-term recommendations from the European Commission. The government expects to launch these digital registers by autumn 2026. [more]

Civic Coalitions Oppose Proposed Limits on Mail-in Voting: NGOs launched a petition titled “Accessible Elections for All” in opposition to government discussions to cancel mail-in voting for eligible Slovak citizens residing abroad. Signatories claim the government aims to polarize the country by isolating voters who work or study internationally. Parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in Slovakia by 2027 to elect members of the National Council, although they can be held sooner if a snap election is called. The last elections were snap elections held in 2023. [more, more]

New Tax Assignment Rules: Effective in 2026, taxpayers no longer have to choose between supporting their parents and funding their favorite nonprofits. A taxpayer can now direct 2% of their income tax to their mother, 2% to their father, and 2% to a nonprofit organization at the same time. Parents must be recipients of a pension from the state social security provider. This "both/and" model was a critical win for civil society; initial government proposals threatened to make taxpayers choose one or the other, which would have decimated NGO funding. While this system preserves a critical 100 million EUR funding stream, roughly 45% of eligible taxpayers still do not utilize the mechanism at all. [more, more]

Rigorous Corporate Auditing of Nonprofit Partners: Slovak corporations are transitioning from one-time gifts to systematic partnerships with the nonprofit sector. Increasingly this involves voluntary audits to verify the transparency and financial health of NGO partners.This shift reflects a broader trend toward integrating corporate social responsibility into core business strategies. [more]

Mandatory Electronic Invoicing Regulations: By 2027, The Slovak government will implement mandatory electronic invoicing (e-faktúra) for all legal entities. The mandate specifically includes transactions involving foundations and civic associations. Non-VAT payers will remain exempt until 2030. [more]

Newsmaking Moves: The Slovak news organization Denník N, a journalist-owned independent publisher, acquired EUobserver in February. EUobserver will reorganize from a Belgian non-profit into a limited company under Slovak ownership, maintaining full editorial independence under the new corporate structure. This transaction represents the first expansion of a Slovak media entity into English-language journalism. The partnership aims to strengthen reporting links between Brussels and Central Europe. [more]

International Year of Volunteerism 2026 in Slovakia: Slovakia is participating through the 20th anniversary of Naše Mesto (Our City), the largest corporate volunteering event in Central Europe. The initiative, organized by the Pontis Foundation, will take place in June and September. Some 10,000 volunteers from the corporate sector will assist in school restoration and green space planting. This milestone encourages new partnerships between the public and private sectors to build sustainable communities. [more]

📌 Slovak history and Black History Month connect in our special essay.

📌 There’s always a good time for expats to support charitable organizations in Slovakia. Use our quick guide as a reference.

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Admin Notes

Business English for Social Impact works with NGOs, social enterprises, and nonprofit organizations with fundraising, grantwriting, organizational development, capacity building— and English-language communication skills. Since 2015, we’ve worked with social impact organizations in Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, and beyond.

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