Civic Engagement
Supporting Inclusive and Participatory Political Processes
$355,000
Public Summary: To assist civic actors in more effectively demonstrating the value of more responsive governance, a new program will be piloted to increase the public’s engagement with local governance processes in a more transparent and participatory manner. Through mentoring and guided practice in consultation, communication and outreach, the program will help local actors successfully address community issues together, thus providing a positive example for others to follow in the future.
Civic Engagement
Expanding the Reach of Democratic Actors
$900,000
Public Summary: To assist activists and civic actors to broaden their base of support and expand their messaging reach, a series of workshops, trainings, and mentorships will be provided. These activities will deliver the data, technical knowledge, and networks of mutual support needed to broaden public support for democratic values including meaningful democratic processes, greater state transparency and accountability, and more responsive local governance.
Civic Engagement
Fostering Grassroots Organizing
$385,000
Public Summary: At the request of Russian-speaking partners, the Institute will share resources and international models on political process monitoring and civic and political organizing.
Civic Engagement
Activist Network
$55,000
Public Summary: To provide independent news and analysis on social, political, and human rights developments and to develop civic activism among youth. The organization will publish a website with reporting and analysis on the development of democratic norms and competitive politics. A training and networking program will be organized to help young activists develop leadership skills and carry out independent civic projects.
Human Rights
Human Rights Monitoring
$124,767
Public Summary: To raise public awareness of politically motived arrests and detentions while providing assistance to citizens prosecuted for exercising their right to free expression and assembly. The organization will conduct sophisticated monitoring to track and bring attention to such violations and will render legal assistance to victims.
Human Rights
Protecting Human Rights
$63,610
Public Summary: To provide legal assistance to victims of discrimination and hate crimes and to raise awareness of the prevalence of such crimes through monitoring, reporting, and advocacy. The organization will offer legal assistance, from the domestic level to strategic litigation, and will expand its monitoring program to track hate crimes, training volunteers to use open-source methods. Project staff will also undertake advocacy efforts, at the national and international level, to bring attention to unjust situation in country.
Human Rights
Documenting Repression
$205,759
Public Summary: To foster the respect of, and adherence to, international norms on human rights, the rule of law, and democratic values by documenting instances and raising awareness of political prisoners and politically motivated repression.
Human Rights
Human Rights Education and Multimedia
$55,002
Public Summary: To improve understanding of the role of political repression in history and modern society and to raise awareness of the problems facing civil society. The organization will develop a podcast series, which will relay stories of individual and collective experiences of political repression and human rights abuses.
Policy Analysis and Public Debate
Independent News and Analysis
$55,150
Public Summary: To increase the availability of high-quality independent news and analysis on significant political, economic, and social developments and to promote open debate and discussion around topics of public interest. Analytical reporting and commentary on current events will be published online, and the development of a new generation of analysts will be fostered.
Civics
History and Human Rights
$39,850
Public Summary: To facilitate interest in studying history and promote awareness and discussion of past political repressions. The organization will hold educational seminars and events, organize exhibits and initiatives, and encourage volunteers to become civically active.
Freedom of Information
Independent Livestream Reporting
$40,200
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of news and live reporting in popular video formats with a particular focus on covering significant developments in the regions. Video reporting in a variety of formats, including live reporting and interviews, on significant political and social developments will be regularly produced and published online.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Independent Regional Video Media
$41,120
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of news and analysis in popular video formats covering significant developments. Video reporting in a variety of formats, including live reporting, commentary and interviews, on significant political and social topics and developments will be regularly produced and published online.
Freedom of Expression
Independent Internet Television
$41,720
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of commentary in video format on significant developments and to address the lack of independent reporting and analysis on state-controlled TV news channels. The organization will maintain an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging commentary on significant political and social issues.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Independent Media
$56,800
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of information on significant developments in the region, and to increase the availability of investigative reporting. An independent source of information and analysis on developments in the world will be provided.
Civics
Civil Rights Education
$84,986
Public Summary: To raise the capacity of local activists to teach young people and their families about their rights and to engage with their communities. Free legal and informational sessions will be provided to young people and citizens about their civic and human rights. Exhibitions and roundtables will be organized to facilitate discussion of local and national issues, and two independent digital information platforms for activists and local citizens will be maintained.
Civic Engagement
Innovative Democracy Education
$61,278
Public Summary: To educate activists and aspiring political leaders about the use of technology to improve civic processes and to foster public discussion on the adoption of digital tools to support democratic reform. A series of trainings will be held with experts on digital policy issues. A workshop on digital security and an in-person study visit will also be organized.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Collaborative Investigative Journalism
$140,407
Public Summary: To increase the availability of high-quality investigative journalism available to the public as well as to amplify the public’s awareness of and access to such reporting. Investigative journalism with a particular focus on collaborative reporting by regional and international outlets will be published, and digital content to amplify the public’s awareness of this reporting will be produced.
Civic Engagement
Engaging Regional Activists
$252,667
Public Summary: To foster the growth of civic activism, to increase the professionalism of activists, to promote interregional cooperation and networking between activists and journalists, and to expand the availability of objective, locally relevant information to citizens. The organization will run an independent news site that publishes news about eighteen regions and will provide capacity-building support in the form of mini-grants and internships to civic initiatives and to emerging activists.
Civic Engagement
Supporting Civil Society
$115,908
Public Summary: To enhance the capacity of civil society and provide free open space for regional activists and groups. Public events and civic education programs will be organized in safe space and collaboration among activists will be supported. A conference space will be open to the public to attend organized daily events and trainings, and similar programs in other cities will receive technical and financial support.
Civic Engagement
Digitizing Civic Engagement
$134,967
Public Summary: To promote civic engagement and democratic ideas and values. Seminars and trainings will be conducted on civic education and the benefits of activism to local communities. In addition, legal and informational consultations will be offered to activists who are interested in protecting their rights Digital tools will also be developed and maintained to impart practical skills to activists, connect activists to their elected officials, and assist with advocacy campaigns.
Rule of Law
Increasing Access to Justice
$63,521
Public Summary: To promote adherence to the rule of law by advocating for compliance with and implementation of international norms and domestic legislation and to increase domestic and international awareness about the use of international mechanisms as a tool to address human rights violations. Monitoring will be conducted and technical assistance will be offered to victims of human rights violations. Documentary videos will be produced to shed light on the experiences of victims.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Freedom of Expression
$40,446
Public Summary: To raise awareness of local issues, human rights problems, and issues facing local civil society The organization will publish an independent media news site covering local issues, especially those relevant to civil society organizations and the sociopolitical environment in which they work. The organization will regularly update its site with reporting and analysis of news in its region.
Civic Engagement
Civic Leadership Training
$228,000
Public Summary: To develop the capacities, skills, and knowledge of aspiring civil society leaders, and to foster networks and promote new collaborations among civic activists. A leadership education and development program will be implemented, and discussions and public presentations of reforms by experts will be organized.
Freedom of Expression
Independent Video Reporting
$51,151
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of national-level news and analysis of current events to the public. An online video series will be produced with engaging coverage and analysis of significant developments related to news and social topics. Investigative reporting and independent analysis will be conducted and disseminated in video format.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Regional Journalism
$56,314
Public Summary: To support the development of regional journalism, and to provide the public with an independent source of news and analysis on significant political and social issues. Content, including in video format, focused on topics such political developments affecting the public and civic activism responding to human rights violations will regularly be published online as well as promoted on popular social media networks
Human Rights
Supporting Civil Society
$298,401
Public Summary: To support the continued work of and to strengthen civil society in the region, and to support democrats at risk facing threats of persecution and repression due to their work. The organization will offer technical resources to help democrats at risk continue their work in increasingly challenging conditions. It will also support the ongoing professional development of activists.
Shared Democratic Norms
Supporting Russia’s Democratic Movement
$597,352
Public Summary: To strengthen networks among activists, politicians, and leaders of public thought, and to advocate for international support of Russia’s democratic development. Expert analysis on politics and current affairs will be produced. Objective, fact-based reporting and supporting evidence will be used to challenge the central narratives of disinformation campaigns. Publications will be produced, and a series of events, public presentations, and meetings will be hosted with the authors to encourage public discussion of important findings
Civic Engagement
Supporting Civil Society
$140,364
Public Summary: To support democratic activists. Fellowships will be provided to activists at risk, and humanitarian and other support will be offered to political prisoners. Awareness of human rights issues, including the issue of politically motivated persecution of democratic activists, will be raised. Trainings and conferences dedicated to discussing issues of civil society will be supported.
Policy Analysis and Public Debate
Independent Research and Analysis
$195,766
Public Summary: To monitor, research, and analyze public opinion, and to disseminate unbiased information about trends and opinions to a national and international audience. Project staff will use several sociological research methods to gather information and will publish their results and analysis across a wide range of platforms in the country and abroad.
Freedom of Information
Regional Video Media
$40,025
Public Summary: To provide the public with an independent source of reporting and commentary in video format on significant developments. To address the lack of independent reporting and analysis on state-controlled TV news channels, an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging reporting and commentary on significant issues will be produced and published online.
Freedom of Information
Regional Video Media
$39,975
Public Summary: To provide the public with an independent source of reporting and commentary in video format on significant developments. To address the lack of independent reporting and analysis on state-controlled TV news channels, an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging reporting and commentary on significant issues will be produced and published online.
Civics
Civic Education
$134,460
Public Summary: To use education and activism to further understanding of past political repressions and support local civil society. Project staff will organize events, excursions, and initiatives to promote better awareness and discussion, filling a vacuum in society and state education. They will also offer legal assistance, educational resources, and material support to local activists and grassroots initiatives.
Civic Engagement
Supporting Civil Society
$877,833
Public Summary: To inform citizens about human rights issues and to help citizens find democratic methods of resolving such issues. A website with regularly updated news, information, and events about these issues will be maintained. Logistical and legal support and technical assistance will be offered to independent journalists and civil society activists.
Civic Engagement
Promoting Citizen Engagement
$102,815
Public Summary: To support and encourage activism and civic participation by providing legal, professional, and informational resources. Project staff will monitor and distribute information about opportunities to participate in civic processes and provide legal assistance to activists and grassroots initiatives. They will also publish information about pressing issues of the day, conduct journalistic investigations into matters of corruption and incompetence, and provide educational opportunities to students.
Human Rights
Legal Assistance for Human Rights
$47,831
Public Summary: To promote the rule of law and adherence to human rights. Specialized legal training will be provided for a group of lawyers to improve and coordinate litigation methods and strategies. Expert legal assistance will be provided by participants to clients seeking justice and respect for their rights. Following the trainings, participants will defend citizens’ rights in courts.
Accountability and Transparency
Protecting the Right to Information
$237,801
Public Summary: To assist citizens in realizing their right to information and to improve the implementation of laws guaranteeing citizens’ right to information. A series of activities will be conducted including strategic litigation and informational campaigns to raise the awareness of these rights among the legal community, government bodies, and the public.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$195,578
Public Summary: To build the capacity of lawyers and human rights defenders and foster collaboration Legal trainings and collaborative meetings will be held and will provide an opportunity for individuals to discuss pressing issues safely, network, collaborate, and strengthen their abilities to assist victims of human rights abuses pursue justice, advocate for accountability, and combat impunity.
Human Rights
Documenting Human Rights Abuses
$100,000
Public Summary: To further the pursuit of justice for victims of human rights abuses,preserve evidence of past crimes, promote transitional justice, and combat impunity. Instances of grave human rights abuses will be investigated, witnesses will be interviewed, and documents will be analyzed and logged. The information gathered will be used to support court proceedings at the national and international level.
Accountability and Transparency
Supporting Accountability
$55,668
Public Summary: To build the capacity of citizens to conduct and publish investigations into corruption at local and national levels, and to foster the creation of an interregional network of activists. A series of educational events on anti-corruption topics will be held for activists interested in exposing corruption and helping their communities, investigations into corrupt practices will be supported, and cross-regional collaboration and networking will be facilitated.
Freedom of Information
Increasing Access to Information
$69,955
Public Summary: To provide the public with accurate information on Russian foreign and security policy, and to foster the capacity of journalists and NGOs to utilize new digital tools and research techniques in their work, along with regional networks among them. In-depth investigative reporting, coverage of current events, and analysis will be published online; a regional training and mentorship program will be conducted, and a resource center will be provided.
Freedom of Information
Enhancing Public Access to Information
$111,730
Public Summary: To provide the public with accurate information on foreign and security policy, and to foster the capacity of journalists and NGOs to utilize new digital tools and research techniques in their work, along with regional networks among them. In-depth investigative reporting, coverage of current events, and analysis will be published online along with related video and social media content, and mentorship programs and a resource center will be provided.
Political Processes
Supporting the Development of Democratic Processes
$110,366
Public Summary: To support the development of democratic governance processes and to increase the availability of nonpartisan specialized public policy research, independent media on local governance issues, and public initiatives to improve governance processes. Public policy research will be conducted through an in-depth collaborative process, and the research will be published online and presented in a series of public events. Media content about local governance and related public initiatives will be carried out.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Freedom of Expression
$119,770
Public Summary: To support critical thinking and freedom of expression. The organization will monitor freedom of expression in the country and will publish the results of its findings online. It will also offer online webinars and lectures to young people interested in learning more about activism, history, constitutional law, and human rights.
Accountability and Transparency
Countering Transborder Kleptocracy
$100,893
Public Summary: To increase the capacity and effectiveness of those working to combat transborder kleptocracy and to enhance the effectiveness of international and domestic accountability mechanisms in affected countries. As part of the project, new international networks between journalists, policy makers, and law enforcement bodies will be created.
Political Processes
Supporting Innovative Civic Processes
$67,213
Public Summary: To promote the transparency of civic processes by refining innovative monitoring methods. Technical tools and online resources will be developed to enable activists, NGOs and professional researchers to monitor civic processes. Trainings and presentations will be held to show the utility and effectiveness of different methodological approaches.
Freedom of Information
Defending Internet Freedom
$232,000
Public Summary: To defend the digital rights of citizens, including their rights to freedom of expression and association, security, and privacy online, and to promote public awareness and engagement around significant internet freedom issues. Strategic litigation, public awareness raising, and advocacy will be conducted on significant digital rights issues, and related monitoring and analysis will be regularly published online.
Human Rights
Protecting Human Rights
$26,898
Public Summary: To strengthen institutional capacity to resist political pressure and act as a convening hub for regional organizations. This supplement will help the organization secure legal assistance to navigate the ever-changing legal environment, and allow it to assist small groups and initiatives through sharing experience and knowledge and creating possibilities for collaboration.
Rule of Law
Legal Defense of Human Rights
$71,415
Public Summary: To increase access to justice for victims of human rights violations and build the capacity of lawyers to pursue strategic litigation. Victims of human rights violations will be defended in court, free consultations and mentoring will be offered to members of the legal community, and activities will be carried out to raise public awareness of the mechanisms and methods of human rights and freedoms protection.
Civic Engagement
Empowering Women Leaders
$42,498
Public Summary: To raise civic consciousness among women and build public support for female leadership. Seminars will be organized to empower women, build their leadership skills, and connect them to opportunities for civic involvement. An information campaign will also be conducted to normalize female leadership and to stimulate public discussion on expanding the role of women in traditional society.
Shared Democratic Norms
Supporting Russia’s Democratic Movement
$80,000
Public Summary: To strengthen networks among activists, politicians, and leaders of public thought, and to advocate for international support of Russia’s democratic development. Expert analysis on politics and current affairs will be produced. Objective, fact-based reporting and supporting evidence will be used to challenge the central narratives of disinformation campaigns. Publications will be produced, and a series of events, public presentations, and meetings will be hosted with the authors to encourage public discussion of important findings
Human Rights
Protecting Human Rights
$178,890
Public Summary: To reduce the incidence of human rights violations, and to raise citizens’ awareness and knowledge of their rights and the means available to protect them. Information will be collected on human rights violations and legal assistance will be provided to victims. Additionally, media content will be produced and disseminated online to raise awareness of human rights and gender-based discrimination.
Civic Engagement
Promoting Civic Engagement
$89,984
Public Summary: To foster and support civic activism and grassroots initiatives and encourage activism. In two often overlooked cities, a series of trainings and workshops to promote civic engagement and activism will be held for a selected cohort and opportunities for interregional and international networking will be provided. Events will also be organized for the public about getting involved in their communities.
Freedom of Information
Independent Video News and Commentary
$79,538
Public Summary: To provide the public with an independent source of reporting and commentary in video format on significant developments. To address the lack of independent reporting and analysis on state-controlled TV news channels, an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging reporting and commentary on significant issues will be produced and published online.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$74,760
Public Summary: To promote respect for human rights by providing legal assistance and raising awareness of human rights violations. Project staff will offer free legal aid to residents of the region, monitor human rights abuses at the hands of security services, publish reports, and raise awareness of the regional situation with local media outlets.
Policy Analysis and Public Debate
Legal Analysis and Regional Reporting
$31,611
Public Summary: To support independent journalism and analysis on issues related to civil society and the rule of law. Articles and analyses by experts on themes related to legislation and judicial processes will be published online, and a database of legal information will be hosted for use by journalists and researchers. A seminar series will be conducted to teach regional journalists and activists how to use these resources to improve local reporting.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Activism
$40,294
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of information on issues affecting students and academic communities, and to promote pro-democracy activism along with free expression and civic engagement. The organization will regularly publish articles, guides, and investigations on related topics online as well as offer other informational support and help to build networks.
Civics
Engaging with History
$60,050
Public Summary: To advance understanding of past political repressions, including knowledge of victims of human rights abuses and former political prisoners, and to engage with the public and promote discussion about difficult historical questions. Project staff will build out and supplement an online database and website with newly-accessible information and hold public events with experts on relevant topics.
Shared Democratic Norms
Supporting Activists
$75,536
Public Summary: To provide support for civil society activists under pressure. Capacity building and technical support programs for civil society activists and organizations will be conducted. Legal support will be provided to activists facing risks due to the nature of their work. In addition, public debates, discussions, and multimedia events with democratic actors, journalists, and cultural figures will be organized.
Human Rights
Supporting Civil Society
$150,437
Public Summary: To provide emergency support to civil society activists operating in a restrictive environment and to promote the continued work and effectiveness of local civil society organizations. Such assistance may include emergency relocation support to activists at risk, emergency assistance to those suffering from politically motivated persecution, or capacity building support for civil society actors.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Independent Media
$102,727
Public Summary: To continue to provide an independent source of information, news, and analysis to the Russian-language public on significant political and social topics. News coverage, original reporting, and analytical commentary will be regularly produced and published online as well as shared through social media networks.
Civic Engagement
Strengthening the Resilience of Civil Society
$49,496
Public Summary: To strengthen the resilience of civil society and to facilitate the rehabilitation and re-integration of activists who have been persecuted for their pro-democracy work. Seminars will be conducted to help activists adapt to life after political repression, adopt best practices for physical and digital security, and find pathways for continued involvement in civil society.
Freedom of Information
Online Independent Media
$105,600
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of information on current events and to increase access to grassroots movements and civil society actors. Regular video programming that specializes in reporting on significant events organized by civic activists, grassroots movements, and human rights defenders will be produced and published online, through the live-streaming of events and interviews with activists and experts.
Freedom of Information
Digital Skills for Civil Society.
$55,231
Public Summary: To strengthen the independent media and civil society community by improving the digital, outreach and other skills of civic actors. The organization will organize and host a series of educational events for independent journalists and democratic activists with a particular focus on improving digital and outreach skills and sharing knowledge.
Human Rights
Combatting Hate Speech
$68,617
Public Summary: To raise awareness of the problem of hate speech and to improve the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in protecting human rights. Monitoring of instances of human rights violations will be conducted and a report will be produced; informational materials will be produced and published online; and legal assistance will be offered to victims of human rights violations.
Human Rights
Advancing Human Rights
$40,701
Public Summary: To defend human rights through providing legal assistance, psychological support, and informational resources to a vulnerable community and to raise awareness of the prevalence of hate crimes against the community. Project staff will offer legal aid, monthly psychological support meetings, and trainings and seminars, as well as monitoring and reporting on hate crimes.
Freedom of Information
Promoting Civic Engagement
$74,222
Public Summary: To provide independent and objective news and analysis about regional politics and foster networking and collaboration amongst independent activists, journalists, and civil society actors. Project staff will regularly publish news and analysis on their website, as well as investigations into regional corruption. They will also support local initiatives and activists and facilitate civic engagement through supporting civic processes.
Rule of Law
Defending Human Rights
$321,264
Public Summary: To aid to victims of human rights abuses, combat impunity, advocate for increased protections against torture, raise awareness of how often torture is used, and reduce the societal stigma surrounding torture victims. Through investigations, litigation, and advocacy, project staff will address the problem of torture at the hands of the authorities and challenge the impunity law enforcement often enjoys.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Freedom of Information and Expression
$120,000
Public Summary: To provide an independent source of information on social, political, and human rights developments and to foster a community of discussion around these issues. A website will be maintained with regularly updated news and information on the development of democratic norms, and a platform for civil society voices will be provided.
Civic Engagement
Promoting Democratic Values
$55,272
Public Summary: To promote democratic values through creating spaces for open discussion and debate about topical subjects and strengthening inter-regional networks of civically-minded young people
Human Rights
Protecting Human Rights
$54,872
Public Summary: To increase access to justice and to encourage the development of civic consciousness amongst the local population. Free legal assistance and representation will be offered to citizens, a resource center will be maintained to coordinate and support civil society and civic initiatives, and monitoring of government malfeasance will be conducted
Freedom of Expression
Independent Internet Television
$112,064
Public Summary: To provide the public with an independent source of reporting in video format on significant developments. To address the lack of quality independent reporting on state-controlled TV news channels, an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging commentary on and live coverage of significant political and social developments will be produced and published online.
Freedom of Information
Independent Internet Television
$120,880
Public Summary: To provide the public with an independent source of reporting and commentary in video format on significant developments. To address the lack of independent reporting and analysis on state-controlled TV news channels, an internet television program to provide viewers with engaging reporting and commentary on significant issues will be produced and published online.
Freedom of Information
Investigative Journalism and Independent News
$235,620
Public Summary: To increase the availability of high-quality investigative journalism and to provide the public with an independent source of news and analysis on significant developments in the world. Investigative reporting and analytical articles on a variety of topics will be published and current events coverage will be regularly updated online.
Rights of Marginalized Populations
Promoting Equal Rights
$44,120
Public Summary: To advance democratic values through combatting discrimination and promoting equal rights. Through providing free legal and psychological assistance, as well as informational resources, project staff will support vulnerable elements of the population. They will also seek to raise awareness of the challenges and improve the legal literacy of the target population through sharing information about legal rights and avenues of redress and promoting discussion of human rights.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$132,520
Public Summary: To raise the awareness of human rights violations committed in the region and to lower tensions between minority communities and local officials. Free legal aid will be provided, a series of roundtables, press conferences, and private meetings will be held to deepen local understanding of human rights, and mini-documentary films will be created.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$103,839
Public Summary: To increase access to justice for victims of human rights abuses in a dangerous region. A team of lawyers will represent individuals who were tortured in police custody using domestic and international mechanisms. They will attend hearings, document abuses, visit detention facilities, try to hold officials accountable, and raise awareness of rights violations.
Shared Democratic Norms
Fostering Global Solidarity with Russia’s Democratic Movement
$136,683
Public Summary: To foster global solidarity with Russia’s democratic movement, and to strengthen networks among activists and European politicians and opinion leaders. To provide an independent source of information from credible in-country sources to counter official propaganda narratives. Awareness raising and networking activities will be carried out and a series of analytical reports will be produced.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Investigative Journalism
$153,000
Public Summary: To increase the availability of high-quality investigative journalism on significant political and social topics to provide citizens with an independent source of information on ongoing developments in the country and abroad. Investigative reporting, feature pieces, and editorials on a variety of topics will be published online on a regular basis, covering developments in the major cities and more remote regions.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Long-Form Journalism
$59,940
Public Summary: To increase the availability of independent long-form journalism and to provide an independent source of news and analysis on significant developments in the country and the world. In-depth reporting and analytical articles on a variety of topics will be published and current events coverage will be regularly published across a variety of online platforms, and often re-published by prominent media partners.
Freedom of Expression
Multimedia School
$58,820
Public Summary: To develop and improve professional capacities of regional journalists and to cultivate independent journalism networks among participants and trainers. A comprehensive multimedia training with modules on photography and video, as well as digital and personal security, will take place to enhance the skills of regional journalists and bloggers. Continued engagement through the creation of an alumni network will strengthen a network of independent regional journalists.
Civic Engagement
Supporting Regional Activism
$73,451
Public Summary: To encourage civic engagement. Through producing a podcast on regional activism that highlights success stories not covered by state media, the project will show that victories are possible and civic participation can be rewarding. Events featuring discussions about different regional challenges will be organized to bring together likeminded people to network and discuss new ideas.
Role of Law
Protecting Human Rights
$140,171
Public Summary: To reduce incidences of human rights violations, to strengthen compliance with international human rights standards, and to facilitate access to justice for victims of human rights abuse. Legal support will be provided, and informational campaigns will be conducted to raise awareness of victims’ cases. Multimedia products including short videos and a podcast will be produced to educate citizens about their rights and shed light on systemic human rights issues.
Human Rights
Crimes Against History
$104,204
Public Summary: To raise awareness of the obstacles to historical memory work and provide legal assistance to history producers under pressure. Project staff will conduct in-depth field research on pressing issues, publish reports, and hold outreach events with media to mark the publication. They will use the research in their advocacy efforts to encourage greater condemnation by the international community of the dire in-country situation.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$103,517
Public Summary: To provide legal assistance to victims of human rights violations and to challenge systemic impunity surrounding human rights violations in the region. The organization will support strategic litigation of cases related to human rights violations and will hold a roundtable to discuss groundbreaking new methodologies for defending human rights.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting Regional Independent Media
$74,700
Public Summary: To increase the availability of independent regional journalism in Russia, and to promote public engagement in resolving local problems. Independent news, analysis, and opinion pieces will be published daily online and in a weekly print newspaper. Social media accounts will be maintained to disseminate content and draw wider audience engagement. Video content, including independent investigative reporting and analysis of local issues will also be produced and shared online.
Rule of Law
Increasing Access to Justice for Workers
$36,800
Public Summary: To facilitate access to justice for victims of predatory employment practices and to raise awareness of labor rights violations. Legal consultations and defense will be offered to workers and their relatives whose rights have been violated. Informational campaigns will be conducted to educate citizens about their rights as workers and will target industries and geographies that are particularly vulnerable to labor exploitation.
Civic Engagement
Increasing Local Civic Participation
$36,786
Public Summary: To increase interest and participation in local civic processes and to raise the capacity of initiative groups to advocate on topics of local importance. The organization will host a series of lectures and trainings to help citizens organize and engage on local issues. Technical skills and effective communication strategies will be covered in the trainings, and a pool of subject-matter experts will be recruited to participate in public discussions and roundtables.
Freedom of Information
Promoting Academic Freedom
$139,255
Public Summary: To leverage networks in defense of independent thought and scholarship. Through in-depth field research and interviews, publishing reports and articles across different platforms, support for academic collaboration across borders, and presentations at international conferences, the project pushes back against increasing state control of the academic sphere and advances basic rights.
Freedom of Information
School of Investigative Journalism
$121,310
Public Summary: To strengthen the abilities of journalists to investigate corruption and other abuses of power and to increase the amount of high-quality investigative journalism available to the public. Project staff will organize a series of workshops, conferences, and webinars to allow journalists to hone their skills and network with regional and national colleagues.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$152,700
Public Summary: To defend human rights. The organization will monitor violations of human rights, facilitate improved institutionalization and coordination among human rights activists across the country, raise awareness of the multitude of challenges facing remote communities, provide free legal consultations, and develop an online platform to disseminate news and map rights violations.
Civics
Human Rights Education
$26,365
Public Summary: To promote and explain the practical importance of respect for human rights and to implement civic education in regional university and school communities. An annual educational competition will be organized to showcase students’ understanding of human rights and civic responsibility. Trainings will be conducted to help school and university educators develop human rights-centered curricula, engage students through innovative pedagogical methods, and adopt disciplinary strategies that recognize the dignity of each student.
Accountability and Transparency
Protecting the Rule of Law for Young People
$73,636
Public Summary: To defend young people and their family members against human rights abuses and to decrease the frequency of abuse against these groups. Analytical and educational materials will be produced and distributed. In-person and online legal assistance will be provided to victims and strategic litigation will be advanced through domestic and international legal mechanisms. Public events will be held and engaging multimedia content will be produced to raise awareness of human rights abuse against young people.
Human Rights
Supporting Human Rights Defenders
$124,283
Public Summary: To provide support to democrats at risk. In response to the ongoing authoritarian crackdown against civil society, the organization will offer emergency assistance and relocation support, including medical and psychological care and legal fees. A respite and rehabilitation program will also be offered to prevent burnout and help activists continue their work.
Freedom of Information
Capacity Building for Journalists
$115,443
Public Summary: To strengthen the capacities and digital skills of regional journalists and foster the building of regional and national journalism networks. A year-long program will be organized for selected media outlets and journalists to allow them to work with industry experts to develop ideas for new media projects and hone their skills. Support will include educational seminars, mentoring, networking opportunities, and small-scale financial support.
Accountability and Transparency
Investigating Transnational Crime and Corruption
$176,300
Public Summary: To expand understanding of the scope and nature of kleptocracy in the form of international corruption scandals perpetuated by both oligarchs and public officials, and of the threats such behavior poses to democracy. The organization will conduct investigations into specific major cases, undertake research to better gauge the scope of such activities, and work with an international network of anti-corruption activists, journalists, and law enforcement to publish the results of its investigations and to advocate for increased adherence to rule of law.
Human Rights
Documenting Repression
$89,227
Public Summary: To facilitate investigations and awareness of history through the construction of a comprehensive database and to expand cooperation between experts on historical memory in different countries. Project staff will continue to build a platform that unites databases of historical data (including databases of photographs, documents, and witness testimonies) into one comprehensive portal to assist researchers. They will also construct a secure backup system located outside of the country to try to ensure the preservation of archival data for future study.
Human Rights
Human Rights Litigation
$70,000
Public Summary: To defend victims of human rights abuses and to raise awareness of systemic human rights issues. The organization will monitor human rights abuses, provide legal aid, and use advocacy and strategic litigation to challenge government practices that violate fundamental rights, such as torture, corruption, and police violence at protests. The organization will also publish reports and articles and collaborate with media organizations to raise awareness of the cases it works on and the issue of governmental abuse overall.
Freedom of Information
Amplifying Independent Media
$210,518
Public Summary: To amplify the public’s awareness of and access to high-quality independent Russian-language media content and investigative reporting, and to build the capacity of independent media to effectively promote and disseminate content digitally. Strengthening digital content development will allow the outlet to adapt to difficult new conditions, evade censorship, and broaden its audience, bringing hard-hitting investigative journalism to more readers.
Freedom of Information
Supporting Internet Freedom
$75,100
Public Summary: To better inform the public about significant internet freedom issues and their importance to the country’s future democratic development, and to increase the amount of high-quality independent information and reporting available online. To foster a more vibrant community among young adults around the intersecting ideas and values of democratic development and internet freedom. Reporting on internet freedom issues will regularly be published in a variety of digital formats, and community-building activities will be carried out.
Accountability and Transparency
Supporting Democratic Institutions
$83,380
Public Summary: To provide practical trainings to human rights defenders who conduct monitoring missions in Russia’s regions. Expert assistance and coordination efforts will be organized to enhance cooperation between human rights defenders across the country and to increase their capacity to represent victims of abuse and negligence. Psychological and legal assistance will also be carried out to combat burnout among human rights defenders and an informational campaign to support their work will be conducted.
Human Rights
Supporting Civil Society
$251,614
Public Summary: To provide emergency support to civil society activists operating in a restrictive environment and to promote the continued work and effectiveness of local civil society organizations. Such assistance may include emergency relocation support to activists at risk, emergency assistance to those suffering from politically motivated persecution, or capacity building support for civil society. actors.
Rights of Marginalized Populations
Advancing the Rights of a Marginalized Community
$50,550
Public Summary: To help members of a marginalized community defend their rights and build networks. Project staff will organize a series of trainings and workshops to teach participants about their rights and how to defend them in a remote region with very little activism. They will work with locals to create safe spaces and disseminate information about available resources.
Human Rights
Defending Human Rights
$275,000
Public Summary: To defend victims of human rights abuses and raise awareness of human rights violations. The organization will provide free legal aid to the victims of rights violations, monitor abuses, conduct national and international advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, and organize seminars to build the legal capacity of human rights defenders.
Human Rights
Legal Assistance and Human Rights
$108,387
Public Summary: To improve access to justice for the victims of human rights violations, especially those belonging to minorities, and to raise awareness of these issues. Activities will include monitoring and mapping violations, offering legal assistance to victims, publishing reports, and domestic and international advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of these problems.
Freedom of Expression
Supporting and Amplifying Investigative Journalism
$224,800
Public Summary: To increase the availability of high-quality investigative journalism, and to foster the capacity of independent media to effectively promote and disseminate content digitally, in particular in the increasingly popular video and podcast formats. Investigative journalism and independent analysis will be published, and digital content to amplify the public’s awareness of this reporting will be produced.
Accountability and Transparency
Supporting Regional Activism
$63,092
Public Summary: To promote accountability and transparency through investigations and analysis of local instances of corruption and to foster a network of engaged citizens. Short news clips and video documentaries will be published online. Trainings and seminars will also be conducted to enhance the skills of local activists and engage volunteers in local civic initiatives.
Political Processes
Supporting the Development of Democratic Processes
$35,960
Public Summary: To support the development of democratic governance processes and to increase the availability of nonpartisan specialized public policy research, independent media on local governance issues, and public initiatives to improve governance processes. Public policy research will be conducted through an in-depth collaborative process, and the research will be published online and presented in a series of public events. Media content about local governance and related public initiatives will be carried out.
Freedom of Information
Improving Access to Information
$34,922
Public Summary: To improve access to information, support grassroots initiatives, and improve the quality of journalistic reporting on freedom of information issues. Trainings will be organized to teach journalists, bloggers, students, and activists how to access public information and write about environmental issues with professionalism. A series of trainings will also be organized for local educators on teaching students about accessing information, environmental issues, and advocacy.
Rule of Law
Strengthening Human Rights Protections
$99,063
Public Summary: To provide legal assistance to victims of human rights violations and to challenge the systemic impunity surrounding human rights violations in a specific region The organization will support strategic litigation of cases related to human rights violations and will hold a roundtable to discuss groundbreaking new methodologies for defending human rights.
