The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) is a regional network that empowers and supports civil society organizations (CSOs) across the Balkans. One of their core tools is the Monitoring Matrix on Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development, launched in 2013. It sets out key principles and standards for assessing whether the legal environment is conducive to CSO work, structured around three areas: Basic Legal Guarantees of Freedoms, Framework for CSO Financial Viability and Sustainability, Government–CSO Relationship.
The Monitoring Matrix was originally presented through lengthy annual narrative reports. While informative, this format made it difficult for stakeholders to interpret trends, compare countries, or extract strategic insights. BCSDN needed a more accessible and engaging way to communicate their findings and support data-driven advocacy.
Zhar Ptiza led the transformation of the Monitoring Matrix from a static report into a dynamic, interactive digital platform. Built in Power BI, the new solution enhances usability, accelerates data processing, and empowers users to explore trends visually.
The new Monitoring Matrix dashboard has significantly increased the visibility and usability of BCSDN’s work:
See the complete dashboard HERE.