Tajikistan

Center for the Support of Civil Society "Kalam,"
$31,916
To carry out 21 two-day training seminars for representatives of local NGOs in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. The seminars will focus on three themes managing financial resources, managing human resources, and directing projects and programs. The seminars will be carried out using interactive teaching methods, including small group discussions, brainstorming sessions, and role playing. Each seminar will bring together 15 individuals from organizations in the surrounding area.

Independent Newspaper Tong
$22,725*
To continue publication of Tajikistan's only independent periodical in the Uzbek language. The editorial team anticipates that the weekly newspaper will serve the needs not only of the Uzbek speaking minority in the north of Tajikistan, but will also be read across the border in Uzbekistan. The newspaper will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers and will achieve financial independence within two years.

Independent School of Journalism "Tajikistan - 21st Century"
$37,600*
To conduct training seminars for Tajik journalists that will include a cross-border component with independent media outlets in Afghanistan, including radio, television, and several daily newspapers. Journalists will benefit from the sharing of cultural, linguistic, and historical commonalities between the cultures.

National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT)
$32,575*
To provide legal assistance to journalists in the capital Dushanbe and in two provincial cities, Khuzhand in the north and Kurgan-Tube in the south. NANSMIT will conduct training for its staff, create a website, and publish a monthly email bulletin about violations of freedom of speech.

NGO "Fourth Power"
$22,140*
To run a media resource center in Khuzhand, the main city of the Sughd region in the northern part of Tajikistan. Fourth Power will provide support for the media in Khuzhand, will issue weekly news bulletins and broadcasts, and hold occasional press conferences on current politics. Fourth Power will also organize a ten-day training course for 25 journalists in Khuzhand.

Republican Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law
$38,660*
To improve the observance of human rights in Tajikistan. The Bureau will provide free legal assistance to needy citizens and conduct monitoring of human rights violations in the country. It will train law students in human rights work and publish a bi-weekly bulletin, an annual report, and three booklets to inform citizens about their rights.

Republican Public Association "PARITET"
$33,755*
To conduct a series of trainings to raise the level of professionalism of Tajik human rights activists and attract young people to human rights work. The organization will hold two seminars with the participation of local and international trainers and will conduct bi-weekly workshops and roundtables on selected themes. PARITET will maintain a resource center where individual human right defenders can obtain office support.

Women's Political Discussion Club
$24,880*
To promote activism among rural women. The Club will organize 24 roundtable discussions that will focus on themes of particular concern for women. The Club will conduct 20 trainings in the regions to improve the political and rhetorical skills of local women. Finally, the Club will publish ten issues of a monthly bulletin, produce ten radio and television programs, and maintain a website.