Grants >> Grantee Spotlight: Agency for Social Information
Central and Eastern Europe
  • Eurasia Program Highlights
  • Eurasia Grantee Spotlight


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    In Russia, nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy and human rights are facing ever increasing pressure to curtail their activities. Government harassment, criminal charges, and even outright threats are common impediments faced by Russia's third sector — and in January 2006, President Putin signed a new law will likely restrict the work of human rights groups, democracy assistance providers, and other independent organizations. As the environment in which NGOs operate continues to deteriorate, NED grantee Agency for Social Information (ASI) is working to counteract this trend by strengthening networks of Russian NGOs, equipping them with the skills necessary to defend themselves against unsubstantiated accusations and counteract negative portrayals of their activities.

    The new legislation, which could adversely impact the work of nearly 500,000 Russian and foreign NGOs operating in Russia, requires NGOs to inform the government registration office about the details of their projects and their funding sources. Russian government officials will have an unprecedented level of discretion in deciding which projects conform to Russia's national interests, and consequently, which NGOs to close if their work is deemed a threat.

    ASI was established in 1994 with the primary objective of promoting the development of Russia's third sector through the collection and distribution of information. Since its founding, ASI has compiled a vast amount of material and has created a clearinghouse of information about the work of Russian NGOs. It has used these resources to expose official attempts to pressure and intimidate NGOs as well as publicizing instances of cooperation between NGOs and local governments in an attempt to neutralize negative attitudes toward these organizations.

    ASI distributes its information primarily through its website, www.asi.org.ru. As reports come in from regional correspondents and NGOs, they are edited, sorted, and posted on the website. ASI also distributes weekly news bulletins to various subscribers, including 650 media outlets, 2,000 NGOs, and 300 government offices. ASI organizes roundtable discussions, holds frequent press conferences, and offers training and educational seminars to better equip NGO leaders with valuable public relations and outreach skills. These activities are particularly important for the hundreds of smaller NGOs operating in the country, which lack the resources of the larger, Moscow-based organizations, and which would be largely isolated without support from resource organizations like ASI. * Indicates Department of State Funding Beyond NED's Annual Appropriation

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