While many post-communist countries in Eastern Europe have undergone successful democratic transformations and have become European Union (EU) and NATO members, the dream of a unified, peaceful, and democratic Europe is still to be achieved. This aspiration is being challenged by the rise of autocratic governance models, and sharp political polarization; Russia’s war on Ukraine; repression in Belarus, and unresolved legacy of past conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.

Given the magnitude of the challenges that Europe is facing today, NED’s steadfast support for democratic forces—spanning civil society, independent media, the private sector, political parties, independent labor unions, and elected officials—fosters the advancement of freedom and lays the groundwork for long-term regional stability. .

By the Numbers

2024 NED Europe Spending Overview | 2024 GRANTS LISTINGS

Regional Focus Areas

Advancing Transatlantic values of Freedom and Democracy

Since its establishment, NED and the core institutes have focused on fostering democratic breakthroughs and the establishment of multi-party systems and free markets in post-communist Eastern Europe. Forty years later, NED is committed to help advance citizens’ aspiration for better democratic governance, which is also a guarantee for durable peace and security. Further, in countries which pursue EU integration, NED supports the public demand for EU accession and the required democratic reforms. This includes Ukraine and Moldova that received EU candidate status in 2022 and are progressing with reforms while facing exceedingly difficult circumstances. NED also continues to invest in Southeast Europe where despite the long delays in the EU accession process, there is a renewed momentum for reforms. In Belarus, the only authoritarian country in Europe, NED continues to support the embattled civil society and pro-democracy movement to remain resilient in their fight for freedom, sovereignty and a European future. 

supporting independent media and countering authoritarian censorship

Many Eastern European countries still have to deal with systematic issues related to lack of transparency of media ownership; excessive government influence over media; a captured advertising market; and the increased number of physical and cyber-attacks on journalists. This situation has negatively impacted the freedom of media and access to information. Given that, support to independent media remains a key pillar in the Europe portfolio. which includes a wide range of initiatives: support to national, regional and local outlets, content production, assistance to media associations and hubs, support to investigative networks, and ideas that seek to unlock private capital to finance independent media in otherwise distorted and captured media markets. Ensuring access to credible information is not only protecting a basic human right, but also the only path for meaningful civic participation. It is also the best defense against the way authoritarians, such as China and Russia, project their influence to undermine democracy and European unity and expand their power. 

Anti-corruption programs that increase transparency and accountability

Corruption remains a top problem across the region, undermining public trust in the democratic system and slowing economic progress and EU accession. NED seeks to enhance support to investigative journalists who are shedding light on endemic corruption, kleptocratic networks, and sanction evasion. NED also supports country-level initiatives that promote transparency and accountability and enable key democratic stakeholders—such as political parties, the media and civil society organizations—to detect, track, and expose corrupt practices, refer cases to the relevant authorities, and advocate for institutional and policy solutions. 

Improving electoral integrity and citizens participation 

As the challenges to electoral integrity multiply with the advancement of technology, migration and increased political polarization.  Since credible elections are a prerequisite to democratic governance, NED supports projects that aim at improving key parts of the electoral processes in accordance with country-specific needs. NED and the core institutes provide assistance to a wide range of programs, such as nonpartisan civic and voter education citizen election observation, party poll watching, candidate training, and get-out-the vote campaigns. NED also supports initiatives that monitor the accountability of candidates and elected officials and develop tools to help educate voters in making an informed choice.  

Country Highlights

Ukraine | Southeast Europe | Belarus | Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ukraine

Ukraine is a top priority country for NED. Since the late 1980s, NED has helped to empower generations of Ukrainians to build their country’s sovereign state and democracy, including through some tectonic shifts. Since their independence, Ukrainians have repeatedly demonstrated their strong desire for democracy and a European future. Yet in 2014 these aspirations have been challenged by Russia’s aggression that led to the full-scale war in 2022. Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to implement reforms to strengthen democratic institutions. On the top of that agenda is tackling the issue of pervasive corruption, which has previously hindered the country’s democratic development, eroded trust in institutions, and impeded foreign investment. 

NED’s current support to around one hundred Ukrainian organizations across the country along with the work of the core institutes helps to strengthen democratic processes and civic participation amidst the challenges of the war.  Priority areas include empowering local groups that enhance political accountability and public involvement in reforms documentation of gross human rights violations and war crimes and advocating for justice; and sustaining independent media to ensure credible coverage of the war and citizens’ access to diverse information. 

Grantee Spotlight

Investigative journalism plays a critical role for the success of democratic reforms in Ukraine by holding institutions accountable. Founded by investigative journalists in 2013, Bihus.Info  focuses on countering corruption and promoting accountability. This group of journalists has received multiple awards, including NED’s 2017 Democracy Award.  Bihus.info was launched in response to the full-scale invasion as part of a robust effort by civil society and investigative journalists to ensure that Ukraine's reconstruction is carried out with integrity and transparency, even amidst the ongoing war. Reaching over 1.12 million subscribers on their YouTube channel, Bihus.Info investigations spark widespread public discussion and routinely prompt responses from law enforcement and political actors. In 2023, their story on the Hostomel Military Administration’s misuse of reconstruction funds resulted in the dismissal of its head. Another inquiry uncovered budget embezzlement in reconstruction projects, leading to five criminal cases initiated by the Bucha District Prosecutor’s Office and the Economic Security Bureau. These efforts were recognized by the Global Investigative Journalism Network as among the top investigative stories in Ukraine that year. Additionally, the group runs complementary initiatives, such as Tysny (meaning "push" in Ukrainian), to support these investigative efforts by filing complaints and collaborating with legal experts to apply further pressure through existing legal mechanisms. 

Grantee Spotlight

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the Ukrainian business environment, cross-sectoral collaboration in the private sector, and accountability in the reconstruction process. Over time, CIPE has supported over 200 business associations and chambers advocating for long-term institutional and democratic reforms. Bringing private sector and civil society constituencies to advocate collectively improves policy. In 2024, CIPE’s private sector and economic expert partners advocated for three key bills - the Law on Liberalization of Market Surveillance, law to reform the State Custom Services,  and a bill to reboot the Bureau of Economic Security, which the Ukrainian Parliament adopted and, which help advance economic and anti-corruption reforms. Successes like these have been made possible by CIPE’s technical support for coalition building and help with articulating business priorities for engagement with government stakeholders. Empowering independent private sector stakeholders to articulate their needs and advocate for reform is of vital importance to Ukraine’s economic resilience and for ensuring oversight and accountability of the recovery process. This activity will also contribute to establishing a policy framework that is business-friendly and will attract foreign investors

Southeast Europe Regional Program

While Euro-Atlantic integration remains a shared aspiration across Southeast Europe and reforms are advancing, some local elites have captured institutions to intensify attacks on independent media and civil society. Renewed tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, and efforts to destabilize Bosnia and Herzegovina’s fragile peace hinder the region’s stability and democratic consolidation. North Macedonia’s stalled European integration and lack of visible progress on internal reforms continues to fuel political polarization and can be a threat to interethnic relations.  As the EU attempts to revitalize the enlargement process by regional incentives, Albania and Montenegro are taking advantage of this opportunity and leading the EU accession efforts. 

In this context, NED’s goal is to protect and expand democratic civic space; strengthen cross-regional collaboration; enhance independent media; and advance transitional justice and reconciliation. Through support to cross-border cooperation, peer-sharing, learning and advocacy and learning, NED leverages the strength of civil society and coalitions to support needed reforms and help inoculate societies against authoritarian influence. All these efforts are rooted in the region’s shared history, interconnected social fabric, and common aspirations for a democratic future in Europe. 

Grantee Spotlight

The Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), one of the leading watchdogs in Southeast Europe, is committed to increasing government transparency and accountability, promoting dynamic and active civic participation, and fostering good governance. Together with other watchdog groups in the region, CDT established the Accountability, Technology and Institutional Openness Network in SEE (ActionSEE), a platform of like-minded organizations aimed at strengthening civic organizations and include them in the policy-making process in more meaningful ways. The group maintains a Regional Openness Index (ROI), which measures the degree to which 638 institutions across six Southeast European countries are open and responsive to their citizens. The tool allows for in-country and country-to-country comparisons of the openness, accountability, and reform capacity of government institutions in the participating countries. Fostering a culture of healthy competition in the region motivates governments to improve their accountability and openness practices. In the last two years, governments adopted almost all recommendations made by the platform. Various other organizations and government institutions globally have adopted this proven monitoring methodology, such as the “Open Index Tunisia,” developed as a result of collaboration with local groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Grantee Spotlight

Media freedom is in decline in Southeast Europe. Physical attacks, threats and harassment of journalists are on the rise both on and offline. Cases of attacks remain largely underreported as institutional mechanisms are ineffective or unwilling to prosecute and prevent attacks. Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation or SLAPP lawsuits are also on the rise, especially against investigative journalists. Self-censorship among journalists is exacerbated by poor working conditions and labor rights for media professionals. Low pay and professional instability leave journalists vulnerable to pressure from media owners. To counter the tide of attacks against freedom of information in Southeast Europe, the Solidarity Center is supporting new and well-established journalist unions and associations, fostering regional learning, exchanges, and capacity building. In Albania, it supported the establishment and the development of the only officially registered media union in the country. The union has grown in membership and is currently focusing on strategic communication, engaging additional journalists throughout the country, and advancing collective bargaining for public media workers. The Solidarity Center is also leveraging support to the journalist union in Montenegro, the strongest in the region, to share its experience and success stories through regional trainings and network building with fledgling unions in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the civic space for independent media is shrinking at an unprecedented rate.

Belarus

power since 1994. Following the stolen 2020 presidential election, protests erupted across the country. The regime, whose legitimacy was further undermined by the poor pandemic response, responded with brutal repressions against dissent and opposition voices. Lukashenka also undermined Belarus’s sovereignty by aligning closely with the Kremlin and turning the country into a launchpad for attacks on Ukraine. Despite international sanctions, the regime continues its systemic repressions. Yet, many Belarusians remain committed to democratic values, despite a harsh crackdown on fundamental freedoms, pervasive censorship, and constant surveillance—all of which have contributed to a disturbingly high number of political prisoners.  

For over three decades, NED’s support for Belarusian civil society has empowered citizens to take charge of their future and strengthen initiatives that defend rights and freedoms. By fostering initiatives that keep citizens informed and engaged, NED ensures that they can shape a democratic future on their own terms. NED’s engagement with the pro-democracy movement, civil society, and independent media is crucial for demonstrating support for the aspirations of the Belarusian people. NED prioritizes sustaining civic participation and protecting freedom of information, as well as countering authoritarian narratives while increasing international solidarity. 

Grantee Spotlight

With NED’s support, partners are providing timely and tangible assistance to political prisoners and those facing political persecution. In 2023 alone, over 4,000 individuals received free legal consultations related to detentions, searches, and police interrogations, sometimes resulting in the release of the unjustly imprisoned. Thousands more have received professional guidance on their rights and advice on how to navigate hostile actions by the regime. Additionally, NED partners offer emotional and material support to families, helping them cope with separation and loss. This assistance is crucial in a time when repression can target anyone, reinforcing faith in citizens solidarity and community support.

Alongside direct assistance, NED partners actively document human rights violations and expose brutal prosecutions. Through their advocacy campaigns, they foster solidarity and resilience among those affected by repression, ensuring that the voices of the oppressed resonate both locally and internationally. When jailed human rights leader Ales Bialiatski was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2023, he dedicated it to Belarusians who, despite a brutal crackdown, overcame their fear and stood up for their rights. Today, amid the war, supporting Belarus and those who defy authoritarianism and choose democracy is crucial for preserving Belarus’ sovereignty and maintaining hope for a free European future.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nearly three decades after the Dayton Peace Accords ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the power-sharing model that institutionalizes divisions along ethnic lines, has left the country in a political impasse. The system provides little opportunity for legislative advancements or openings for engagement with civil society. This, coupled with weak governance, mismanagement of public spending, and a focus on identity politics has led to a chronic lack of trust in democratic institutions and processes. 

Given the complexity of the country’s political system, security threats and regional implications, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains a top priority in Southeast Europe. To achieve both stability and democratic progress, NED seeks to support citizen-driven and issue-based solutions to the country’s governance challenges, strengthen interethnic reconciliation, and enhance media freedom to dispel undemocratic narratives. NED amplifies independent democratic voices that prioritize good governance and political accountability, while constructively addressing sensitive issues of the recent past. 

Grantee Spotlight

In 2022, the Forgotten Children of War Association paved the way for the formal recognition of children born of wartime sexual violence to be legally classified as civilian victims of war in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Brcko District. Due to the legal expertise and advocacy efforts of the Association, the government recognized the rights of this marginalized and vulnerable population for the first time in the country’s history, allowing them to finally benefit from legal protections afforded to war victims and protected from discrimination. Until all victims of the 1990s conflict feel acknowledged by the government and included within society, transitional justice efforts in the country will continue to stall.  By advocating for the legal recognition of children born of wartime violence, Forgotten Children of War fosters restorative justice for victims, protects the rights of a marginalized population, promotes reconciliation, and advances democracy in the country. Using its experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the organization regularly consults civil society organizations in other conflict-affected countries whose democracies are tackling similar challenges, including in Ukraine. Ajna Jusic, the director of the organization, received the International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award from the White House in March 2024. 

Grantee Spotlight

Operating from the Republika Srpska (RS) entity in BiH, Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) is a leading advocate for promoting accountability among the country’s politicians, state-owned enterprises, and public service institutions. Despite facing increasing pressure from entity officials, TI BiH successfully tracked over $2 billion in assets owned by various officials and institutions. The national media coverage of its findings and the public outcry that followed led to multiple arrests, and resignations. In addition to their watchdog role and tireless efforts in fighting corruption, TI BiH is a top advocate for civil society in the country. As a response to the RS entity’s initiative to adopt the Law on the Special Register and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations that would allow officials to label CSOs as “foreign agents,” TI BiH launched an initiative to the RS Ministry of Justice to withdraw this draft law. Their advocacy efforts contributed to the law being withdrawn from the voting agenda a couple of times before. 

ResEarch and Analysis

International Forum Report: Authoritarian Influence in the Western Balkans

An International Forum for Democratic Studies report explores how Montenegro has become an ideal testing ground for authoritarian actors, and how the lessons learned from these experiments can be applied to authoritarian influence globally. The report also highlights civil society’s approaches to foreign authoritarian influences on democratic institutions. 

Read the Report

Journal of Democracy: How Ukraine Divides Post-Communist Europe

The Central and Eastern European region is at odds with itself regarding the response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine— more divided and contrasted than ever before. The author argues that the complex and diverse responses of the “post-communist” democracies are the result of political actors valuing the benefits they receive from Russia, more than the long shadow of history. 

Read "How Ukraine Divides Post-Communist Europe"