|
|
|
Grants >>
2005 Eurasia Program Descriptions
|
|
Armenian Association of Women with University Education (AAWUE) $27,688 To enhance women's sense of civic responsibility and to encourage women's participation in political and civic life throughout Armenia. AAWUE will conduct an educational program including a series of seminars and publications. In addition, its Center of Democracy and Peace will conduct a survey, organize roundtable discussions and debates, and host a conference. Armenian National Committee of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly $25,405 To launch the first think tank in Yerevan. The program will consist of 20 discussions and 16 seminars with regional participants to disseminate the ideas outside the capital. The recommendations emerging from these discussions will form the basis for a common agenda for democratic change. Helsinki Association (HA) $47,460 To improve Armenian legislation, provide pro-bono legal services at three offices, and defend the human rights of citizens. The HA will monitor trial proceedings and psychiatric hospitals, lodge appeals with the European Court of Human Rights, and continue to update its legislative database. The HA will develop draft constitutional amendments and draft legislation and encourage their adoption by parliament. Meltex - TV A1+ $46,920 To produce twenty biweekly segments of a public opinion political talk show. The show will use audience call-ins to question the expert studio guests and will capture public opinion on various topics through taped street interviews and public opinion polls conducted via its website. A1+ will maintain a webpage carrying news items in three languages. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $200,027 REPROGRAMMED 2004 FUNDS To continue political party and civic work in Armenia. NDI will provide opportunities for citizen input in constitutional amendments, promote public discussion before the referendum, and seek to strengthen political parties ahead of the October 2005 local elections. To enhance public confidence in the electoral process, NDI will advise its long-standing civic partner "It's Your Choice" on monitoring the constitutional referendum and the local elections. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Foundation for Development of Democracy (AFDD) $39,140 To defend the electoral rights of candidates, voters, domestic monitors, and members of the electoral commissions. AFDD has a main office in Baku and branch offices in ten regions. Each office will hold two debates among candidates and two seminars for monitors and electoral commission members. The Baku office will maintain a hotline for complaints and information requests and will conduct a public opinion survey. Azerbaijan Lawyers Association $21,174 To defend the political rights of voters, election monitors, and candidates during the electoral period. The Association will hold seminars and roundtables about the electoral law in Baku and eight regions. The Association will provide legal aid for voters omitted from the voter lists and for those who feel they have been unfairly denied the possibility of registering as candidates. After the elections, the Association will initiate cases on behalf of voters or candidates in districts with reportedly high levels of fraud. Election Monitoring Center (EMC) $43,450 To inform the public about the electoral process and the political platforms of different parties and candidates by producing newspaper inserts, radio programs, and televised debates. EMC will also produce advertisements for radio and television to encourage voter participation. FAR Centre for Economic and Political Research $40,039 To monitor the state of religious freedom and increase awareness of electoral rights. FAR will conduct seminars in ten regions of Azerbaijan and two nationwide opinion polls. The first phase will be devoted to educating the population about their electoral rights and conducting a public opinion poll about electoral preferences. The second phase of the program will focus on conducting general civic education seminars and a second opinion poll about religious freedom. "Free Voice" Voters' Rights Defense Center $13,745 To inform voters about their electoral rights, the political process, and the views of individual candidates in the parliamentary elections. The Center will train student groups in four towns to canvass neighborhoods and distribute information to encourage voter participation. The Center will also conduct town hall meetings with candidates in each of the four towns. Information Resource Center $13,300 To develop the regional NGO sector in Sheki by providing office facilities, seminars, and information resources. The Center will organize trainings for NGO activists that wish to conduct election monitoring, for district electoral commission members, and for those who work at the polling stations. The Center will also hold town hall meetings with candidates. Institute of Peace and Democracy (IPD) $19,350 To establish an independent think tank. The Center for Public Policy will focus on establishment of public television, the law on the mass media, transparency in the oil sector, and reform of the healthcare system. IPD will research each topic, hold discussions with experts, produce drafts of relevant legislation, and organize a conference to highlight proposed policies and draft laws. Internews Azerbaijan Public Association $42,945 To maintain and expand its Azerbaijan Media Forum website. The website will provide texts and drafts of relevant legislation, a critique of irresponsible journalism, analytical articles, original reporting, and will monitor abuses against the media. The website will also provide updates on Azerbaijani politics and media issues daily. Legal Education Society $32,350 To increase awareness of access to the justice system in Azerbaijan. Legal Education Society will prepare a research report, organize two roundtables and an international conference to discuss reforms, provide training for a group of 30 young lawyers, prepare teaching materials for a course on advocacy, and form an advocates' club to build cooperation within the legal community. Model Constitutional Court (MCC) $34,120 To continue its program of mock trials and mock public hearings. MCC will hold five mock trials and six mock public hearings, publish articles in the Azerbaijani press after each event, and publish a book about its activities. Nakhchivan Regional Resource Center $13,550 To develop the regional NGO sector by providing office facilities, legal aid, and information resources. The Center will inform the public about the parliamentary elections by holding town hall meetings with local candidates, and will organize trainings for election observers. The Center will deliver books and periodicals from Baku and publish its own monthly bulletin. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $130,000 REPROGRAMMED 2005 FUNDS To organize an international delegation to Azerbaijan's parliamentary elections. NDI will deploy approximately 30 international observers to monitor the November parliamentary election. The delegation will conduct preliminary briefing sessions in Baku and observations in districts throughout the country. After the election, delegates will prepare a statement on the election process to be distributed to international and local organizations, the governments of the United States and Azerbaijan, and interested parties. NGO Support Center $15,663 To support the NGO resource center in Quba, Azerbaijan. The Center will provide office services including access to internet, print publications, and training in a variety of technical and leadership skills for NGO staff. The organization will also publish a directory of local NGOs. Resource Center for Elections $13,500 To develop the regional NGO sector in Lenkoran by providing office facilities, seminars, legal advice, and information resources. The Center will hold seminars on electoral law and host town hall meetings with local candidates. If violations of the electoral law occur during the elections, the Center will file appropriate complaints and reports with the courts and government agencies. Social Union of Sumgait Youth (SUSY) $27,445 To support the growth of the NGO sector in Sumgait. SUSY will continue to operate its NGO Resource Center, rebroadcast its popular television series, publish a newspaper and an NGO directory, and maintain a website. Support Center for Democratic Elections $25,735 To inform voters about the parliamentary elections and to promote transparent and fair elections. The Center will inform the public about voter lists, produce 30 national and 150 regional television spots, and distribute leaflets in 16 electoral districts. The Center will publicize cases in which potential candidates have been arbitrarily denied registration and will conduct media monitoring of three national television channels during the campaign period. Belarus In FY 2005, the Endowment awarded 43 grants totaling $1,809,629 to independent organizations for democracy-building programs in Belarus. These grants covered five fields of activity, including: A) Election Processes $368,060* To educate citizens, mobilize voters, support prodemocratic coalitions, and monitor polling stations through nonpartisan election-related programs prior to Belarus' March 2006 presidential elections. B) Independent Media $697,450* To strengthen prodemocratic sources of objective information, including independent newspapers, NGO bulletins, and internet sites that are breaking an information blockade imposed by the dictatorial regime in Belarus. C) NGO Development $143,378* To develop and strengthen Belarus' third sector, especially regional NGOs and national umbrella organizations, through support for small grants, training, independent publications, legal aid, civic activities, and daily operating expenses. D) Human Rights $110,670* To support networks of activists who monitor and publicize human and civil rights violations, defend those who have been repressed by the regime, and educate citizens about the country's human rights situation. E) Civil Society Development $490,071* To support a variety of programs being conducted by independent organizations, including civic education, local government reform, and business association development. Georgia Association Atinati $19,919 To increase the effectiveness of the NGO community in the Samogrelo region of western Georgia. The program will include free legal and informational consultations, capacity-building trainings, and technological resources for NGOs. Atinati will also publish its NGO newsletter, maintain a website, and produce and broadcast radio programs on NGOs and current events. Cultural-Humanitarian Fund 'Sukhumi' $37,880 To promote women's leadership in politics, particularly women leaders among Georgians displaced by the war in Abkhazia. The Fund will organize training for women active in political parties in western Georgia and will hold four policy debates. The Fund will produce five television and radio broadcasts and six issues of a bulletin focusing on the problems of women's participation in politics. Horizonti, Foundation for the Third Sector $45,762 To create an expert council to provide independent advice to the Ministry of Defense and monitor its budget. The council will be composed of representatives of Georgian NGOs and scholars. Horizonti will organize workshops and meetings in the capital and six regions, conduct a public opinion survey about public expectations of defense policy, and publish a monthly bulletin. Human Rights Information and Documentation Center (HRIDC) $39,329 To improve human rights practices in Georgia. HRIDC will monitor and report on human rights, provide free legal aid, launch two regional human rights centers, and train future lawyers in human rights through internships. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $160,000 To support and monitor the work of members of parliament from single mandate constituencies and increase the transparency and accountability of local governments through a sub grant to the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED). ISFED will continue to monitor elections while supporting the work of majoritarian MPs, conducting advocacy training seminars, and increasing public participation in decision-making processes at the local government level. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $59,999 To conduct a focus group project to assist the government, political parties, and NGOs to effectively develop voter education and outreach strategies that respond to citizens' concerns. The project report will facilitate the design of voter education and outreach programs for next year's parliamentary elections. NDI will hire American polling and focus group experts and will engage activists from the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) to conduct discussions across the country. NGO Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights $36,745 To raise awareness on the role of NGOs, the media, and human rights at the center of discourse about democracy in Georgia. The organization will conduct human rights monitoring and provide legal assistance in Tbilisi and two remote regions. These offices will monitor trials, hold a series of roundtable discussions, and publish a monthly electronic bulletin. The program will conclude with a conference and final report. Transparency International Georgia (TIG) $20,380 To increase the accountability of the Georgian government regarding its extra budgetary accounts. TIG will conduct special investigations into five funds not subject to legislative or public oversight. Based on its research, TIG will publish monthly reports and develop a system for public oversight of accounts, and organize a conference to publicize its recommendations for improving transparency and present them to the Ministry of Finance. United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG) $22,130 To develop a durable solution to the problem of Chechen refugees in the Pankisi Gorge. UNAG will survey the refugee population, conduct a legal assessment of policy options, and inform refugees and the local population about their legal alternatives and the responsibilities of Georgian Ministries and international organizations. Three roundtables in Tbilisi will present findings and policy recommendations to relevant government agencies, influential NGOs, foreign embassies, and international organizations. Kazakhstan Center for International Private Enterprise $149,210 To work with Almaty Association of Entrepreneurs (AAE) to unite the business community behind central issues that will advance transparency and promote market and democratic reform. AAE will develop a public-private partnership that will aim to increase transparency and accountability in policymaking and reduce opportunities for corruption. Activities include an informational campaign, policy recommendations, and a concluding conference for CIPE and AAE partners in central Asia to share experiences of NGO activity in promoting reform. Independent Information Agency "Polyton" $33,560* To continue its discussion clubs for experts and students in Almaty. Topics will be drawn from current questions in the civic life of Kazakhstan including politics, economics, inter-ethnic relations and international affairs. Analytical papers, produced by experts, will continue to be posted on its website along with responses and news briefs. Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights & Rule of Law $47,640 To continue to provide free legal consultations in Almaty and Karaganda and to conduct four trainings in human rights for professionals and students. The Bureau will advise and represent clients, observe trials, and report on these activities. The Bureau will also provide students with training in international standards of human rights. Kazakhstani Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM) $41,188* To monitor deputies' performance in the parliament and disseminate this information to voters. RNIM will create a record of deputies' political activity, encourage voters to become more active, and contribute to greater transparency of the legislative branch. Kazakhstani Young Professionals Society (KYPS) $31,300 To monitor local administrative bodies (akimats). The KYPS will monitor the activities of the akimats, prepare weekly analysis and monthly surveys on their activities, and form a public commission. At the end of the project, the KYPS will publish recommendations for increasing the transparency of the akimats. "Street Law" Kazakhstan $37,815* To conduct a civic education program in Kazakhstan's secondary schools. The program will train teachers and school administrators in five regions to teach civics courses and use the new materials in schools. Street Law will also create a website, publish a teaching aid, and organize a one day conference to promote the adoption of its curriculum nationwide. Kyrgyzstan
$69,640 To support the Bishkek Business Club (BBC) in advocating reforms which would limit presidential authority and provide for a more representative parliament. BBC will continue its public awareness campaign to inform the population of the benefits of a strong parliament and a weak executive. BBC will monitor the implementation of a strong parliamentary system, form close relationships with constructive political parties, and develop a national business agenda. Independent Human Rights Group (IHRG) $33,185 To provide quality legal representation to persons whose human rights have been violated. IHRG will offer consultations on a wide range of human rights issues and engage in strategic litigation to bring government officials and bodies into court for violations of the law, mass violations of human rights, and human rights violations of a political nature. Internews Kyrgyz Republic $22,585* To improve the legal environment in Kyrgyzstan for journalists and media outlets. Internews will work with three media associations to provide legal advice to media professionals and to make recommendations for reforms in media legislation. Internews will continue to support its media law center in southern Kyrgyzstan and will establish media law centers in Bishkek and Karakol.
$41,611* To maintain its network of human rights NGOs in southern Kyrgyzstan. Spravedlivost will continue to coordinate the activities of the network and serve as a resource center. The network provides free legal services, conducts detailed monitoring of conditions in pretrial detention, and observes the judicial process. Spravedlivost will disseminate this information by publishing a monthly bulletin and holding monthly press conferences. Public Association "Shoola-Kol" $28,770 To support its network of human rights and political activists in Issyk-Kul oblast. Shoola Kol will expand its network of "Centers for Development of Democracy;" offer free legal services; provide training for activists, election monitors, and election commission members; educate local representatives on political and human rights; organize roundtables with elected officials; and conduct information campaigns. Youth Human Rights Group (YHRG) $32,980 To encourage youth participation in the policy formation process. The YHRG will study the changing role of youth in the political transformation, make recommendations concerning policies toward youth, and encourage youth participation in this process. The YHRG will conduct a public opinion survey of youth attitudes, write three policy papers, organize four conferences, and publish a book. Russia Agency for Social Information (ASI) $50,000* To continue collecting and distributing information on the activities of NGOs and other events of importance for civil society via a network of correspondents and affiliate offices in 27 regions of Russia. ASI will edit and sort this information, publish it on its website, and issue regular email bulletins with news items. Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center $42,000 To organize a competition among public school teachers for the best lesson plan on the history of totalitarianism and political repression in the USSR. In each region, a jury will select the best entries to be sent to Moscow where a group of finalists will be determined. The finalists will travel to Moscow for a conference on techniques for teaching about political repression. Center for Civic Education and Human Rights $45,000 To expand its program of teacher training, human rights curriculum development, and publication. The Center will continue its training courses for teachers and will continue to teach courses on human rights in schools throughout the region. The Center will also work with regional educational authorities to expand the teaching of human rights and integrate the subject more thoroughly into the regional curriculum. Center for International Private Enterprise $162,750 To reduce corruption and combat undemocratic control mechanisms in leasing and construction for small and medium-sized businesses. CIPE, along with the Regional Public Foundation "Information Science for Democracy" (INDEM Foundation), will identify corrupt practices in three Russian regions by analyzing relevant legislation and its impact on private sector development, develop recommendations for business owners on how to combat corruption and rigid state oversight, organize roundtables, and advocate to raise public awareness of the damaging effects of state capitalism in the private sector. Center for Public Information (CPI) $50,000* To help nongovernmental organizations work more effectively with the media through a program of press releases and press conferences, as well as monitoring the media's coverage of human rights topics and publishing the Chronicle of the Moscow Helsinki Group. CPI expects to issue around 1,500 press releases and organize about 150 press conferences on behalf of human rights and civil society organizations. Center for Social Projecting "Vozrozhdeniye" $50,000* To conduct a program to increase the flow of information between NGOs in different regions. Vozrozhdenie will organize visits of NGO leaders to Pskov oblast, where Vozrozhdenie is located, and carry out its traditional monitoring of local politics and public opinion polling. Center for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights $45,000 To monitor proceedings in the Russian parliament and produce a monthly bulletin containing analyses of pending legislation and parliamentary activity. In addition, six bimonthly issues will be devoted to analysis of special topics relevant for civil society and human rights defense, such as reform of the political system, army, health care, judicial, housing, and pensions. Center for Trade Union Education $41,668* To maintain local reception offices staffed by lawyers specializing in labor law, who will consult with individuals on violations of labor laws, monitor collective bargaining agreements in their region and conduct public hearings on salary issues. The Center will also organize roundtables on the role of unions in salary negotiations and a series of seminars on labor relations and negotiating processes. Chechen Committee for National Salvation $45,000 To provide legal aid and protect refugees remaining in Ingushetia and those who return to Chechnya. The Committee will operate out of its headquarters in Ingushetia, and will maintain permanent offices in the cities of Grozny, Urus-Martan, and Gudermes in Chechnya. The Committee will also distribute frequent press releases on developments in the region. Chelyabinsk Regional Public Fund "Helping Hand" $44,175 To continue its program of legal assistance and human rights education and training. Helping Hand's "Human Rights Ambulance" will continue to offer free legal aid and will provide assistance to inmates in the regional prison system and their families. Helping Hand's Human Rights School will continue to provide courses on human rights, democracy, and civic activism. Environmental and Human Rights Center "Bellona" $45,000 To publish its journal, Ecology and Human Rights, which will examine the closely-related issues of the environment, government, and human rights and will provide objective information about developments in the environmental protection movement. This year, Bellona will limit its publication schedule in order to take advantage of the potential of the Internet to reach a wider audience. Fund for Rehabilitation and Development $23,817 To support a program that will inform Chechens about the advantages of the rule of law as an alternative to violence. The Fund will organize a series of monthly seminars in Chechnya's leading universities and will publish an information bulletin and organize television programs and newspaper publications to distribute information about the project throughout Chechnya. Golos NGO Coalition $50,000* To continue its program to increase public participation in the regional and local legislatures of four Siberian cities. In each of the four regions, Golos will organize a series of six public forums and two large scale summits to bring together deputies from the regional legislature with representatives of local nongovernmental organizations, interest groups, and active citizens. Historical Educational, Human Rights Defense and Charitable Society "Memorial," Ryazan $35,000 To publish the journal Karta, which has become one of Russia's leading human rights publications. Past issues have examined Soviet and Russian history, human rights work, civic education, and government policy towards NGOs. The journal will be distributed to other NGOs, local government officials, university libraries, and used in Ryazan Memorial's civic education programs. Independent Council of Legal Expertise $50,000* To monitor legislative developments in the state Duma and regional legislatures. The Council will prepare commentary on particularly significant pieces of draft legislation and the extent to which they correspond with constitutional and international norms. The Council will also develop draft laws for reforming the Russian judicial system, assist the Russian NGO community, and draw attention to major defects of the Russian legal system. Independent Press Center Foundation $50,000* To organize a number of press conferences on behalf of nongovernmental organizations and assist in organizing other events on behalf of the NGO community. The journalists taking part in these conferences are normally those who are suppressed by the government and state media and have no alternative outlet for their news. Information Agency "Memo.ru" $50,000* To maintain and expand its website devoted to the Caucasus, the Caucasus Switchboard. The website will continue to provide regularly updated news on events in the Caucasus region, analytical pieces, and information on the activities of civil society groups. Caucasus Switchboard is now the most frequently visited NGO website in Russia and attracts readers from 25 countries. Information and Analytical Center "Sova" $50,000* To monitor and oppose cooperation between ostensibly mainstream politicians and extreme nationalists. The Center will also organize a series of roundtables and seminars with experts on radical nationalism and others. It will produce daily, monthly, and quarterly electronic reports on its monitoring, and will print 1,000 copies of a 200-page report on the project. Information Research Center "Panorama" $50,000* To write and print ten brochures containing basic information necessary for young democrats, including information on such topics as fundamental aspects of democracy, ways to engage allies and opponents in a constructive dialogue, and facts about the Russian government. Institute for Information Freedom Development $30,000* To conduct a program of legal research and legal support to NGOs which are trying to obtain information from the Russian government. The Institute's staff will investigate how the Russian government practice complies with its own laws. The Institute will also help other NGOs submit requests for information to the Russian government, monitor the government's response, and make recommendations. International Protection Center $45,000 To offer free legal representation to individuals who have exhausted all possibilities in the Russian legal system and wish to pursue their cases in the European Court or with the United Nations' Committee on Human Rights. The Center's lawyers will help plaintiffs submit their documents and will also participate in cases in the Russian court system. International Republican Institute $500,000 To emphasize issue identification, message development, and communications strategies as a way for democratic parties to re-engage with constituents. IRI will conduct a series of national and regional opinion polls as well as focus groups to accurately assess voter trends in order to help regional political parties develop small-scale, regionally-specific communications campaigns. IRI hopes to develop a group of regional party leaders who have gained a detailed understanding of public opinion polling as a political/campaign technology. International Republican Institute $260,000 To establish a "Municipal Club" to serve as an informal organization for municipal leaders and local government experts. The Club will serve as an alternative to government-affiliated "unions of cities," and will help to combine the efforts of leading experts and participants in the "municipal world" to encourage the development of democratic local government. Club activities will include weekly meetings on subjects relevant to local government, training events in the regions, publication of training materials, and developing a single internet resource for local government activists. International Republican Institute $300,000 To facilitate internships for promising young leaders of organizations in Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe. IRI plans to solicit up to 200 nominations from NGOs and emerging youth movements in six different regions of Russia, ultimately selecting up to 45 internship participants. General focus areas will include strategic planning, organizational development, recruitment and volunteer strategies, single-issue and advocacy campaigns, and communications and media strategy. Interregional Foundation for Civil Society $60,000 To conduct a small grants program to assist regional human rights groups. Past projects have included support for legal aid offices, prison monitoring projects, defense of draftees' rights, and monitoring of voters' rights in local elections. The Interregional Foundation for Civil Society will distribute small grants to 15 to 20 human rights organizations across Russia. Interregional Social Organization "Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship" $70,000* To combat the "information blockade" against independent news from Chechnya. The Society's correspondents in Chechnya and Ingushetia will write frequent reports, which will be distributed by e-mail as press releases. The Society, in conjunction with the Nizhny Novgorod Society for Human Rights, will also publish a monthly 32-page newspaper, Pravo-zashchita, with a circulation of 5,000 copies. Kaliningrad Youth Organization "Tsunami" $18,818* To promote human rights among young people in Russia's Kaliningrad oblast through a three-part program. Tsunami will organize four roundtables, conduct 16 training workshops, produce four informational leaflets, publish three bulletins, and open four legal aid centers. The program will take place in four small cities in Kaliningrad. Kazan Human Rights Center $35,000* To train Russian NGO staff and provide direct legal aid to NGOs which have become the target of government pressure. The Center will conduct three-day training seminars for NGO staffers on various security skills appropriate for their job responsibilities. The Center will also investigate reports of harassment and help organizations develop a public relations response to defend their reputation. LAM Center for Complex Research and Popularization of Chechen Culture $25,000* To promote democratic ideals and practices throughout the Chechen Republic and Chechen diaspora. LAM will conduct a series of roundtables for the leaders of Chechen NGOs and political figures; continue to publish its bulletin, Vestnik LAM; provide support for other Chechen NGOs; research social conditions and public opinion; and work with other Chechen media to increase their visibility and impact. LATTA Center $35,000* To reach out across the divisions which have appeared in Chechen civil society and to restart a dialogue among Chechens about how best to build a new, democratic future for the region. LATTA will organize two large conferences aimed at raising democratic values in Chechen society and will conduct regular seminars on Chechen history and culture for university students and secondary school teachers. Memorial - Ekaterinburg $35,635* To maintain basic operations. Memorial - Ekaterinburg will open two permanent exhibits, operate a library and a reading room with democratic newspapers and periodical publications that will be open to the public, maintain an archive, operate a video center and an Internet-equipped classroom, and operate a public legal aid reception office. Moscow Group of Assistance to the Implementation of the Helsinki Accords $48,000* To strengthen mechanisms of public monitoring of human rights violations while encouraging greater cooperation between NGOs in investigating such incidents. The Group will conduct a working group to select a total of 6 incidents, dispatch a team to investigate them, and offer assistance to victims. Reports on these incidents will be published and distributed. Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG) $50,000* To support its networking and public outreach programs. Endowment funds will be used primarily to pay for MHG staff salaries and rental of a building in downtown Moscow. Part of the office space rented will be made available at a reduced rate to NGOs that are closely affiliated with MHG, including other Endowment grantees. Mothers of Chechnya for Peace Association $30,000* To fund investigations of disappearances and provide legal aid to the affected families. The Mothers will conduct research into individual cases and will also compile a database of disappearances; this information will be used to help compile a report on the issue. In addition, the Mothers will open a legal clinic to help Chechen families locate the remains of their dead. Murmansk Association of Women Journalists $30,000* To develop public service journalism in three regions of the Russian northwest. The Association will organize two sessions: to focus on the practices of municipal government, and to help journalists improve their reporting skills on local politics. Following each session, Association staff will remain in contact with the participants to monitor the impact of the training on their work and to provide support. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $250,000 To strengthen the capability of NGOs and to build connections between civil society groups. NDI will continue its cooperation with the Golos Coalition to monitor elections and government activities. In addition, NDI will assist the organizers of the Civic Congress in transforming their one-day event into a movement in support of democratic reform. NDI will emphasize youth involvement in these groups and will help to establish a nationwide network of democratic activists. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $376,647* To complement a USAID-funded program in Russia that will provide technical assistance to nonpartisan domestic election efforts. NDI will concentrate on assisting existing parties with registration and re-registration, then on longer-term political party building efforts. With these funds, NDI hopes to foster one or two democratic parties as eligible participants for the 2007 Duma elections. Nizhny Novgorod Committee Against Torture $50,000 To monitor the use of torture in Chechnya and initiate investigations of specific cases. In the event that the Prosecutor's Office is unwilling to pursue the case, the Committee will pursue the case itself through the Russian court system and the European Court of Human Rights. Finally, the Committee will attempt to increase public awareness of the frequent use of torture. Ozersk City Social and Ecological Public Organization "Planeta Nadezhd" $32,000* To finance research, seminars for NGO leaders and officials from closed cities (ZATOs) throughout the Urals region, and public information and lobbying activities. Planeta Nadezhd will carry out a three part program of analysis and human rights defense; monitoring, training, and lobbying to improve conditions within ZATOs; and publication of a newspaper to inform inhabitants of Ozersk about their rights. Perm-36 Memorial Museum of the History of Political Repression and Totalitarianism $50,000* To expand the museum's capacity to handle larger groups of visitors. The museum has become a popular site for school trips and with the completion of a road from Perm to Chusovoi, the town nearest the camp, it is likely to become even more popular. The museum will furnish a visitors' center and restore other facilities which were damaged in a fire in October 2003. Russian Association of Civic Education $36,000* To hold the ninth Russian Civic Education Olympiad. Students from throughout Russia will submit essays on democracy and civic participation. The best essays will be examined by a committee of experts in civic education, and finalists will travel to Moscow for additional competition that will include further written and oral examination. Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersburg $40,008 To assist draftees and servicemen in defending their rights through a program of training and education. Soldiers' Mothers will conduct its Human Rights School for recruits and their families and will organize follow-up workshops for smaller groups. Soldiers' Mothers will also assist runaway soldiers who have suffered abuse in protecting their rights through the Military Prosecutor's Office and will work to investigate allegations of abuse. St. Petersburg Humanity & Political Studies Center "Strategy" $49,000* To strengthen the work of regional think tanks in northwest Russia. The Center will enable the think tanks to better serve as centers of public policy on local issues and as liaisons between the public and regional authorities. The Center will also organize two training seminars for representatives of regional think tanks and will work with these organizations to develop projects focusing on public involvement in policy issues. Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers $50,000* To provide legal assistance to soldiers who have been forced to work in the private sector without compensation. Soldiers' Mothers will pay a small salary to ten regional coordinators to run reception offices for servicemen and their relatives that will be used to monitor forced labor violations. Soldiers' Mothers anticipates bringing charges against several particularly egregious violators of soldiers' rights. Union of Journalists of Russia-Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations $50,000* To monitor, investigate, and distribute information regarding violations of journalists' rights throughout Russia and the former USSR. The Center will conduct investigations into murders, kidnappings, and other forms of violence against journalists to determine if they are politically motivated. The Center will continue to distribute its two weekly electronic bulletins, Dangerous Profession and The Authorities vs. The Press, which catalogue violations of journalists' rights. Voronezh United Democratic Center $40,000 To publish its monthly newspaper, We Are Citizens, which contains information about the activities of local and regional government in Voronezh oblast. The Center will also carry out four roundtables on issues such as budgetary transparency and implementation of housing and utilities reform. Yaroslavl Regional Public Organization "The Center for Social Partnership" $50,000* To raise citizen activism in local government of Yaroslavl oblast. The Center will host a series of one-day public seminars in all of the municipal Okrugs of Yaroslavl oblast, on the theme "Citizens' Participation in Local Self-Government: What's New in Legislation and Practical Work." The Center will also hold four seminars for territorial self-government activists and prepare a series of brochures on local government. Youth Human Rights Movement $45,000* To strengthen existing networks of youth human rights organizations and promote the development of a core group of young human rights activists. YHRM will organize three public campaigns on human rights issues relating to youth, produce a series of publications, and offer a variety of training programs from introductory seminars to advanced workshops and consulting on NGO issues. Za Prava Cheloveka (ZPC) $50,000 To support its network of regional human rights organizations and legal clinics. ZPC will continue to consult with the organizations in its network on the cases they face and will assist regional groups that run into problems with local authorities. In addition, ZPC will provide direct support to six organizations in its network by providing a monthly stipend to the regional directors. Tajikistan Asia Plus $36,270 To develop a network of regional correspondents, provide news bulletins for regional news outlets, and redesign its web page. Asia Plus will hire six correspondents who will attend a week-long training to improve their journalism skills and be trained in specific tasks required to implement this program. The network will facilitate an exchange of information among regions and between regions and the capital. Independent Newspaper Tong $16,630* To resume publication of the only independent newspaper in the Uzbek language. The newspaper will contain local, national, and international news along with opinion and editorial pages. It will pay particular attention to human rights issues, women's equality, and social and political news. Kuhi Nor NGO $19,600 To provide an internet-based news service to the Tajik public. Kuhi Nor will permit free access to its Avesta website which posts national and regional news throughout the day, expand and reorganize the website, and add two interactive sections for discussion and public opinion polling. Kuhi Nor will also launch a weekly news bulletin which will be distributed to local news organizations and NGOs. National Association for Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) $34,208* To train journalists in the techniques of investigative journalism and provide legal assistance to journalists. NANSMIT will also print, ship, and distribute a book about the journalists who were killed during the Tajik civil war. NGO "Fourth Power" $19,913* To maintain its media resource center and hold monthly press conferences on current politics. Fourth Power will distribute information packets containing print and video materials to local media outlets on a weekly basis, and will also organize a ten-day training course for two journalists in Moscow. Public Association "Khoma" $34,289* To produce a weekly television news program. The program will be filmed by student teams at five institutions of higher education throughout Tajikistan. The editorial staff will edit the film and distribute it to twelve independent local and regional television broadcasters throughout the country. Republican Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law $29,720* To continue to provide free legal aid to the most vulnerable segments of society. The Bureau will collect detailed data on the human rights abuses and due process problems, which will comprise the basis for its annual monitoring report. The Bureau will also publish three booklets about citizens' rights. Youth Ecological Center of Dushanbe $20,110* To promote leadership skills among youth by providing training and resources to youth groups in Tajikistan. The Center will build organizational capacity and promote youth leadership by expanding its network of regional discussion clubs. The Center will also train the youth groups and their members to become effective NGO leaders and skillful negotiators with local authorities. Turkmenistan In FY 2005, the Endowment made four grants for democracy-building programs in Turkmenistan totaling $137,030 These grants covered the following fields of activity: A) Protecting Human Rights and Providing Legal Assistance $79,084 To monitor the observance of human rights and promote the principle of the rule of law by providing free legal assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population, such as refugees, stateless persons, and those persecuted by the regime. In addition to providing legal counsel through legal clinics in Ashgabad and four provincial cities, the programs will conduct seminars for NGO staff, monitor human rights abuses and violations of due process, and provide office support for local NGOs. The publications include a database of Turkmen and international legislation as well as bulletins based on the results of the monitoring activities. B) Civic Education and NGO Development $57,946 To expose youth and NGO activists to democratic ideas by conducting programs aimed at improving the system of secondary education. This includes training teachers in interactive methods of instruction and how to incorporate the methods into the curriculum, and making manuals, guides, and samples available for teacher use. NGO development programs will provide evening seminars and individual consultations for staff of newly formed NGOs, and provide office support resources and legal consultations to strengthen the NGOs against government repression. Ukraine American Center for International Labor Solidarity $400,000 To improve the capacity of trade unions to engage in industry discussions, to promote compliance with international labor standards, and to increase the leadership capacity of women and progressive local elements. ACILS will conduct seminars on voter education, democratic trade unionism, economic literacy, and EU labor relations; employ an attorney to develop draft legislation to promote workers' rights and provide legal advice to unions and trade unionists; and support a journalist's contributions to the trade union newspaper Aspekt. Center for Information and Documentation of Crimean Tatars $35,000* To publish six issues of its analytical journal Crimean Studies. The Center will monitor the Ukrainian press's coverage of Crimean Tatar issues and will coordinate the activity of an analytical group which will help the Center to develop policy recommendations for and provide information to a wide variety of official and nonofficial institutions in Ukraine and abroad. Center for International Private Enterprise $159,271 To help business associations contribute to the reform process by exercising influence in the development and implementation of business-friendly legislation. CIPE will work with the Institute for Competitive Society and the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research to advocate for development and adoption of laws vital to improving the business climate. Center for International Private Enterprise/Institute for Competitive Society $312,203 To increase business participation in the democratic process and in setting the policy agenda. The Institute will work with the community to clearly define and communicate its needs to politicians and the broader public. Through the establishment and coordination of an Advisory Council, the Institute will complement surveys and focus groups with a series of advocacy events and conferences to raise the profile of entrepreneurs and the need for a new course for Ukraine. Center for Research on Social Perspectives in the Donbass $30,864* To support its Internet newspaper Ostriv to provide ongoing coverage in Donetsk in the aftermath of the 2004 presidential election campaign. The Center's correspondents will write frequent reports and analytical articles on recent developments in Donetsk oblast. The Center expects that these reports will be used by numerous Ukrainian and foreign newspapers. Democratic Initiatives Foundation $45,500 To bring public opinion to the attention of Ukraine's leaders. The Foundation will inform the Ukrainian public on the state of affairs through a series of specialized policy debates and will work to bring other NGOs and think tanks into these debates. The Foundation will also work to build its own capacity as a think tank. Dniprovsky Center for Social Research $25,000 To foster discussion and analysis of the new legislation and changes brought by the new administration after Ukraine's 2004 presidential election. The Center will organize four roundtables and seminars on local political changes and will conduct two public opinion polls. The Center will also publish four issues of its research bulletin and an analytical publication on local political parties. Donetsk Committee of Voters of Ukraine $16,000* To fund a series of lectures on topics relating to the upcoming elections. A total of 180 lectures on various topics will be delivered to an estimated 9,000 students in institutes of higher education in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The Committee will also publish a booklet on young voters' rights, 60,000 copies of which will be distributed at participating universities. Donetsk Human Rights School $25,000 To conduct a program of conferences, teacher training, and curriculum development for secondary school teachers. The Donetsk Human Rights School will organize two seminars and a six-day summer school for teachers, will continue to develop teaching materials and training curricula, and will publish a handbook for middle school teachers and a textbook for high school teachers and pedagogical students. Europe XXI Foundation $50,000 To support the continued development of Ukraine's civil society. Europe XXI will monitor and report on various aspects of state-civil society interaction in six regions of Ukraine where civil society is weak; this information will be supplemented by two roundtables in each region, plus six roundtables for civil society leaders. Europe XXI will also publish 10,000 copies of the New Choice newspaper on a monthly basis. Freedom House Ukraine $50,000 To conduct a program of human rights monitoring and research, publication, and training for NGO leaders. Freedom House Ukraine will organize a nationwide research program on human rights, continue its program of short-term exchanges for NGO leaders, and develop a program of longer term fellowships. Finally, Freedom House Ukraine will organize press conferences and a national conference on human rights to raise awareness of human rights issues. Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation $50,000 To conduct a program of NGO networking and public meetings intended to build support for greater integration of Ukraine into Western political and economic structures. The Institute will organize roundtable meetings for 70-80 participants on the theme "Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic Future" in four cities in eastern Ukraine. Institute for Mass Information $35,000 To dispatch rapid reaction teams to investigate instances in which journalists are subjected to pressure or harassment as a result of their professional activities. When it is determined that a journalist or media outlet has been subject to pressure or harassment as a result of their professional activities, IMI staff will offer advice and may provide legal assistance. Kharkiv Center for Women's Studies (KCWS) $50,000* To continue its leadership training program for young women from Ukraine. KCWS will organize its Girls' World essay contest in the form of a Conference of Young Women Leaders to which all participants from previous years will be invited. In addition, KCWS will arrange internships with municipal and regional government bodies for young women who participated in its training sessions in the past. Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group $42,030* To ameliorate the human rights situation in Ukraine. KHPG will publish its bulletins Human Rights and Human Rights Education, print four books, analyze draft laws pending before the Ukrainian parliament and develop recommendations, continue its monitoring of human rights violations, and hold seminars on legal recourse for torture victims. Lion Society $27,000* To continue a program of training seminars aimed at strengthening the work of NGOs in eastern Ukraine. The Lion Society will carry out a total of 24 two-day seminars. This year, the training seminars will focus on three topics: the ethics of NGO activity, the role of NGOs and activists in elections, and teaching methods for civic education courses in schools. Luhansk Regional Organization "Public Education and Legal Assistance" (PELA) $30,546* To fight corruption by making more information about the regional government available through its website. Working in cooperation with elected officials and civil servants, PELA will post information about basic government procedures for citizens to access. PELA will also open a network of public Internet access points for citizens. Luhansk Regional Women's Legal Defense Center "Seagull" $25,000 To fund a voter education and election monitoring program in rural regions of Luhansk oblast. Seagull will provide support grants to six rural human rights organizations working in civic education and voter outreach to organize public meetings in their hometowns for voters. Seagull will conduct a media campaign to inform large numbers of voters of their rights. Open Society Foundation $50,000* To provide Ukrainian voters with accurate information about the activities of their elected representatives in the Verkhovna Rada. The Foundation will produce a quarterly monitoring report on the activities of Rada deputies representing single-member districts and of factions and political parties. 3,000 copies of the monitoring report will be printed and distributed to regional media, NGOs, and political parties. Pora! $40,000 To develop student unions and student government organizations and to continue its mobilization activities prior to the March 2006 parliamentary election. Pora! will organize seminars and roundtables on student government and political involvement throughout Ukraine. Pora! will also provide assistance to groups working to form student unions and will conduct a public information campaign to encourage students to become involved in the elections. Regional Information Center for Women $23,140 To maintain its fourteen Civic education network centers in rural Kirovohrad and to continue its program of training and publication to support local NGO networks. Each of the centers in the network will provide access to the Internet and legal information, maintain a contacts database of local NGOs, and organize a civic education day for local NGOs and officials. Smoloskyp, Inc. $61,766 To organize a series of seminars and roundtables for youth on a variety of issues related to the topic of "Globalization, Democracy, Liberation Movements and Terrorism in the XXI Century." Smoloskyp will also produce five publications: Smoloskyp Ukrainy; Moloda Natsiya; ABC of Ukrainian Politics and two volumes in its series of Ukrainian samizdat documents. Spilnyi Prostir $50,000 To carryout an "audit" of the strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine's media in order to guide the efforts of NGOs, activists, and government officials working on media issues. Spilnyi Prostir will carry out monitoring of various forms of the media in all 24 of Ukraine's regions, the results of which will be published as a bulletin for each region. Sumy Oblast Committee of Youth Organizations $23,000 To identify, train, and support youth leaders in Sumy, Poltava and Chernihiv oblasts. The Committee will also publish guidelines and accounts of its training programs and carry out two sociological surveys of youth in the three oblasts. By carrying out this work, the Committee hopes to consolidate the gains of activities during the presidential election into permanently functioning institutions. Telekritika $45,000 To fund analysis of the Ukrainian media and to provide a forum for public discussion of media issues. In addition to maintaining its website, Telekritika will monitor the ten largest Ukrainian television networks' coverage of the 2006 parliamentary election campaigns, and will produce various radio, television, and print materials about the campaigns. Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Research $50,000* To publish five issues of the journal National Security and Defense. Each issue of the journal provides a thorough examination of an issue of particular importance in Ukrainian politics. Issues will be made available in English and Ukrainian, and distributed to members of Parliament, the Presidential Administration, and other government agencies and non-profit organizations. Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research $50,000* To conduct a program of research and analysis, monitoring, publication, and promotion of prodemocratic legislative initiatives. CIPR will hold public roundtables on the development of democratic institutions in Ukraine's regions and continue its program of monitoring and publication on the Ukrainian parliament. CIPR's Democracy Advocacy Group will continue to lobby for democratic initiatives. Ukrainian Youth Association of Ukraine $40,480 To help young Ukrainians play a more active role in their country's politics. The project will support seminars that will teach the basic principles of election law and techniques for monitoring elections, and will involve the participation of Belarusian activists who will be selected by Ukrainian staff to participate in observing the March 2006 Verkhovna Rada elections. Young Rukh $50,000* To train students on how to set up their own student government organizations. Young Rukh will organize a conference for 26 regional coordinators who will help Young Rukh's trainers distribute publications and organize training seminars throughout the country over the summer. During the fall, students will then try to form student governments in their home universities. Youth Alternative $82,000* To continue its internship program, "Students for Parliament." Youth Alternative will arrange for 40 students to intern in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament. An additional 50 students will intern with local legislatures in seven cities. During their internships, Youth Alternative will organize training sessions and seminars to develop the leadership skills of its interns. Youth of Cherkassy Coalition $25,000 To fund training seminars, conferences, and publications for leaders and activists of youth NGOs in Cherkassy and Kirovohrad oblasts. The Coalition will recruit approximately 30 participants and hold eight seminars on NGO management. In addition, the Coalition will hold three conferences for seminar participants, organize a mini-grants program for local NGOs, and publish a series of booklets that will summarize the contents of the training. Zhmerynka Youth Association "Initiative" $17,000* To fund training for young NGO leaders from Vinnytsya oblast in Western Ukraine. Twenty young leaders will be selected on a competitive basis to participate in five three-day workshops on the basics of NGO management followed by short internships in several local associations. The Association will prepare a brochure and a CD-ROM, which will be made available through a network of fifteen civic activism centers. Znayu $26,400 To invite approximately 100 young civic activists from the former Soviet Union to Ukraine for training on how to run public campaigns and civic coalitions. After the first training cycle, representatives of Znayu will travel to Russia to observe how trainees are applying what they have learned. After the training, they will have access to an internet resource where they can exchange information and experiences. Uzbekistan In FY 2005, the Endowment made seven grants for democracy-building programs in Uzbekistan totaling $239,478. These grants covered the following fields of activity: A) Freedom of Information $92,830* To provide independent sources of news and information. NED-funded programs include publication of an independent quarterly journal, a twice-weekly electronic newsletter, and public opinion polls. These publications expose human rights abuses and censorship. The programs also support a network of regional correspondents who provide regular reporting from all parts of the country with a particular focus on NGO activity, civil society, freedom of speech, and human rights. B) Human Rights $112,298* To defend the rights of vulnerable persons against government repression. NED sponsored programs provide assistance to individuals, monitor trials, transcribe court proceedings, provide legal advice to victims of human rights abuses, and represent victims before various courts, tribunals, and other institutions. The programs maintain a nationwide network of human rights activists who report regularly about conditions in their region. NED grantees also advocate measures for penal and judicial reform in Uzbekistan. C) NGO Development $34,350* To promote networking among NGOs. NED programs help to circulate information about legislation pertaining to NGOs and help NGOs to share information and elaborate common strategies to counteract the increasingly hostile regulatory environment. Central Asia/ Caucasus Regional American Center for International Labor Solidarity $348,194 To assist local unions in outreach and membership recruitment, internal union communications, and negotiations with company management. In Kyrgyzstan, ACILS will undertake programs to increase the skills necessary for union leaders, increase the legal and negotiation capacity of trade unions, and improve information dissemination on labor issues and rights. In Kazakhstan, ACILS will conduct seminars to increase the skills necessary for union leaders to develop union strategies and a systematic approach to trade union education and outreach. American Center for International Labor Solidarity $369,744 REPROGRAMMED 2004 FUNDS To implement a trade union education program designed to introduce concepts of democratic trade unionism and worker rights to union activists and members. In Kyrgyzstan, ACILS will promote understanding of trade unions' role in democratic and economic transition, increase the capacity of unions to defend workers' rights at the local level, and improve information dissemination on labor issues and rights. In Kazakhstan, ACILS will develop union strategies for legislative and economic reforms, develop a systematic approach to trade union education and outreach, and improve information dissemination on trade union rights. Center for International Private Enterprise $236,142 To develop the capacities of independent business organizations in Central Asia and the Caucasus to enable them to work more effectively for reform. CIPE will work with associations and think tanks to improve communications and assess abilities of selected independent associations to lead the business community in the reform process. CIPE will organize a seminar that will focus on sharing skills and lessons gained from the experiences of Eastern European associations and think tanks. Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations $34,832* To launch a Russian-language website about Central Asia. The internet journal Oasis will have correspondents in each country in Central Asia, cover internal politics and foreign policies of the countries, and post daily news updates. The site will contain a journal in PDF format which can easily be printed and distributed to readers. Fund for Legal and Economic Reforms in Kyrgyzstan $38,366* To support a crossborder network of NGOs in the Fergana Valley and to implement a small grants program for NGOs. The Fund will award between ten and 20 small grants, organize the annual meeting of the Network of Human Rights Organizations operate its Information, Law and Resource Center, and maintain and update the website of the network for use by all members. Human Rights Center "Memorial" $41,018* To support a network of human rights activists in Central Asia, disseminate information about human rights abuses and standardize the reporting from human rights organizations. "Memorial" will coordinate the reporting of abuses, systematize reporting into analytical material and publish monthly updates. "Memorial" will also track cases of abuses against Central Asian exiles who now reside in Russia and other CIS states. Organization for Assistance for Refugees and Forced Migrants "Civic Assistance Committee" $19,530* To provide legal assistance to Central Asian political exiles in Russia who are being prosecuted on spurious criminal charges. The organization will work to reverse convictions in selected cases, offer legal and moral support to the families, and regularly report these cases. The organization will investigate cases of forced repatriation to Uzbekistan without normal extradition procedures and will publish monthly reports. East Central Europe/ Eurasia Regional American Center for International Labor Solidarity $100,000 To support independent trade unions in Belarus and Moldova. ACILS will reach out to Belarusian independent trade unions through a three-day strategic planning workshop for 20 participants in Ukraine, hold 24 one-day organizing seminars, and support women trade unionists through 13 one-day women's networking seminars and a two-day women's networking conference. The Moldova program will include a similar strategic planning workshop in Ukraine and 24 one-day organizing seminars. Baltic International Development Agency (BIDA) $20,900* To strengthen nongovernmental organizations in Kaliningrad region. BIDA, an independent organization based in Kaliningrad City, will continue providing technical assistance through its NGO Information and Consulting Center, which was established in 2002 with NED support, and organize 14 training workshops for a total of 160 NGO activists. Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative Institute (CEELI Institute) $50,000 To conduct a training program for human rights activists from the Ferghana Valley region of Central Asia. Thirty representatives from human rights organizations based along the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will attend a two-week advanced training course on practical advocacy skills and strategic human rights advocacy planning at the Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative's CEELI Institute in Prague. East European Democratic Center (EEDC) $65,000* To support independent youth organizations in eight regions of central and eastern Ukraine. The Warsaw-based EEDC will organize ten training seminars, award three to six regional grants and about 15 small grants to youth NGOs, oversee a study visit and internship program in Poland, and convene a final conference. East European Democratic Center (EEDC) $61,548 To conduct the second phase of a multiyear program to foster the development of local independent newspapers in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. EEDC, an independent, nonpartisan NGO based in Warsaw, will conduct ten internships in Poland and two workshops in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to train up to 50 young Central Asian journalists in newspaper management and samizdat publishing skills. Institute for Eastern Studies $35,000 To organize a Europe-Central Asia Forum in Poland. The Institute, an independent, nonprofit organization, will bring 75 prodemocratic political, economic, and third sector leaders from Central Asia to meet with 75 of their European Union counterparts in Krynica. The three-day cross border event will include approximately 15 panels designed to examine and improve political, economic, and cultural relations and networks between the EU, Central Europe, and Central Asia. Institute for Eastern Studies Foundation $33,390* To support participation of a delegation of Russian nongovernmental representatives in the 15th annual Krynica Economic Forum, a major congress of European politicians, economists, businesspersons, and NGO activists from more than two dozen countries which meets every September in southern Poland. The three-day event will include approximately 100 panels designed to examine and improve political, economic, social and cultural relations between the EU, Central Europe, and Russia. Institute for Eastern Studies Foundation $34,708* To bring up to 30 Russian political, economic, cultural and third sector activists to Krynica, Poland for a three-day Forum on European Union-Russia relations. Russian activists will meet with EU counterparts in a series of about 15 panel discussions to debate current issues impacting the EU and Russia, including key democracy-related topics. Institute of Public Affairs $23,056* To initiate a fellowship program for five young Russian think tank analysts. The Warsaw-based Institute will collaborate with the St. Petersburg Center for Humanities and Political Studies "Strategy" to conduct a three-day training course in St. Petersburg, organize a seven-day training and study visit to Warsaw, oversee the drafting of five policy documents on various reform issues, and broadly disseminate the completed reform projects. Libertos Foundation $28,595 To develop and strengthen a network of independent investigative journalists in Georgia by sharing with them the experience of their counterparts in the Polish media. Libertos will bring 14 Georgian journalists to Warsaw for training in the skills and ethics of investigative journalism through a series of lectures and meetings with Polish media experts and institutions. Medium Orient Information Agency $16,160 To carry out a series of public opinion polls in the troubled region of the North Caucasus. The Agency will conduct twelve surveys on key social, political, and economic issues; analyze the data; and disseminate the results on its Caucasus Times website and through other sources of information on the North Caucasus. MEMO 98 $64,470* To develop an indigenous media monitoring capacity in Russia. MEMO 98, an independent, nonpartisan NGO based in Slovakia, will conduct a week-long needs assessment mission to Russia, organize a one-week media monitoring training program for ten Russian activists in Ukraine, and conduct a four-month media monitoring exercise in Russia with the cooperation of leading media NGOs, the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations (Russia) and Equal Access (Ukraine). National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $255,445 To continue conducting joint training programs for political activists in the Eurasia region. NDI will work with Warsaw-based European Institute for Democracy to bring 40 activists from throughout Eurasia to Warsaw for training on strengthening party structures, building coalitions, maintaining support, and conducting grassroots campaigns in hostile political environments. National Democratic Institute for International Affairs $100,000 To bring representatives of political parties, election monitoring groups and youth groups from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Belarus together with their counterparts from other Eurasian countries. NDI will develop a structured two- to three-day program based upon the background of participants and the political situation in their countries. Meetings will involve in-depth analysis of the political lessons learned in the presenting countries and rigorous discussion of their possible applicability to participants' home countries. Obcianske Oko (Civic Eye) $29,580 To support the activities of a network of election-monitoring NGOs in Europe and Eurasia. While serving as the network's secretariat, Civic Eye will hold an annual conference, provide training and coordination for members, and publish a promotion leaflet for the network. People in Need Foundation (PINF) $69,109 To assist democratic activists in Belarus and Moldova. The Foundation will organize cross border visits to bring 22 democratic politicians, local government officials, and activists from Belarus and Moldova to Prague for training. The Foundation will organize visits for four senior Czech civic leaders to these countries to meet with democratic forces, disseminate news about these countries among Czech decision-makers, and inform civil society in these countries about Central European affairs. Polish-Czech-Slovak Solidarity Foundation $57,000* To conduct a desktop publishing training and equipment support program for representatives of pro-democracy NGOs and independent newspapers in Central Asia. The Foundation will train at least 20 activists and equip at least 11 organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Polish-Czech-Slovak Solidarity Foundation $42,185 To continue a cross border media training program for independent journalists and editors in Eurasia. The Foundation will invite 25 media practitioners from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia and Azerbaijan to Poland for two-week media-related internships. Journalists and editors will train at selected newspapers, publishing houses, radio and television stations, receiving practical training in accordance with their specialties and the work they are currently performing. Pontis Foundation Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) $57,437 To strengthen the voter education and mobilization campaign prior to the summer 2006 presidential elections in Belarus. Pontis and IVO, two independent, nonpartisan NGOs based in Slovakia, will assist an informal coalition of Belarusian NGOs to analyze public opinion polls, craft an effective get-out-the-vote campaign, train six Belarusian think tank and NGO activists in public opinion research and GOTV techniques, and produce six analytical country reports. Prague Society for International Cooperation $11,630* To bring three Russian think tank analysts to the Czech Republic to attend a two-day debate on the EU's relationship with its Eastern neighbors and participate in a five-day study visit to think tanks and NGOs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Transitions Online (TOL) $52,400* To promote independent journalism in Russia and foster independent Internet sources of information. TOL, a news magazine based in Prague, will bring 12 Russian journalists to Prague for three-week training internships on how to organize and operate an online news service. TOL will also launch a pilot distance-learning program to train journalism students and early career journalists. Zagranica (Abroad) Group $25,495 To strengthen and expand cross border democracy-building organizations and initiatives conducted from Poland to the East. The Zagranica Group, a Warsaw-based coalition of NGOs working across borders, will organize training workshops to increase the capacity of Polish groups working abroad, initiate a long-term cross border program between the Polish and Ukrainian third sectors, and conduct an information campaign to promote the idea and practice of crossborder work. * Indicates Department of State Funding Beyond NED's Annual Appropriation |
|
| |
