Saving Water Eco-Systems in Conditions of Market Economy
2000-2003
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan and Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: Faculty of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Institute of Water Problems and Hydro-Energy, National Academy of Sciences, Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek Humanitarian University, Issyk-Kul State University and Al-Farabi Kazak University Almaty
Summary: To conclude a long-term initiative to examine inter-governmental use of trans-boundary waters and questions of economic mechanisms of water distribution, to define technical, organizational and legal measures required for equitable distribution and use of water resources and conservation of water eco-systems
Non-Governmental Analysis of Socio-Political Dynamics in Central Asia
2000-2003
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizers: Institute on Socio-Economic Information and Forecasting KISEIF, Almaty and Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Summary: To support policy analysts and opinion-makers in a long-term initiative of the Central Asian Analytical Forum which aims to analyze contemporary sociopolitical dynamics in Central Asia and develop forecast scenarios to engage in policy dialogue
Media without Borders: Informal Press Clubs in Poland, Ukraine and Belarus
2000-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: European Forum of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw (www.batory.org.pl)
Summary: To initiate an informal platform for exchange among journalists of regional presses in Poland, Ukraine and Warsaw, specifically to promote engagement in debate and dialogue as well as publication of reliable information and to promote trans-border cooperation among regional newspapers
European Choice for Belarus
2000-2003
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: European Forum of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw (www.batory.org.pl)
Summary: To support a long-term initiative to attract public attention to social and economic problems in Belarus and to promote development of transformation models to analyze and propose recommendations based on realities and trends in economic, social, educational and administrative reform in Belarus
Methods and Practices of Local Development in Roma Communities
2001-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Association SPOLU, Kremnica
Summary: To support the initiatives of a network of Roma organizations piloted in the East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders in 2001, specifically to evaluate work since 2001 and to formulate recommendations to overcome passiveness of local communities
Best Practices in Social Support for Handicapped Children: Czech Republic and Ukraine
2001-2003
Soros Foundations: Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic) and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Foundation Help for Handicapped Children in Central and Eastern Europe Prague
Summary: To conclude a long-term initiative of exchanges among professionals working with children with multiple handicaps, specifically to share best practices and new methodologies of care
Recommendations for Public Participation Strategies: Trans-boundary Commissions
2001-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Macedonia
Organizers: ALLCOOP Alliance for Lake Cooperation in Ohrid and Prespa (www.alcoop.homestead.com), Association for Tourism and Environment Albania and Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation Estonia
Summary: To support grassroots initiatives in the Cherava River watershed in economic and social development while maintaining and improving the quality of the natural environment, to establish collaborative management of land, water and living resources, to promote voluntary and consensus-oriented interaction among citizens, business, environmental interests and local governments in the Cherava River watershed as well as governments of Albania and Macedonia, to prepare a management plan for the Cherava River watershed and to advance cooperation between NGOs and experts from Lake Peipsi and Lake Ohrid trans-boundary regions
Conflict Resolution Management: Practical Implementation
2001-2003
Soros Foundation: Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizer: Balkan Youth Union Belgrade (www.bum.org.yu) in partnership with Nansen Dialogue Center Sarajevo (www.ndcsarajevo.org) and Centar za kulturu mira i nenasilja Mali Korak, Zagreb
Summary: To conclude a two-year initiative for young people to learn skills of conflict management, particularly to overcome increasing apathy in society by promoting social activism and engagement of young people
New Practices in Processes of Decentralization in Local Administrative Reforms: Poland and Moldova
2001-2003
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation-Moldova and Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: Konin Town Administration and Ungheni Town Hall Municipality
Summary: To support local government administrators in provincial towns in Moldova to interact with colleagues from provincial towns in Poland to analyze legal frameworks of local public administration, strategic development of urban planning, cooperation with local youth councils and NGO/private sector partnership in community development
Ukraine and the Expanded EU: New Relationships among Neighbors
2001-2004
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: European Forum of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw (www.batory.org.pl) and International Renaissance Foundation Kyiv (www.irf.kiev.ua)
Summary: To support long-term analysis of Ukraine s relations with an expanded EU, focusing on (i) economic issues, including trade, foreign investment and financial sectors, Ukraine as a transit country from Russia and the Caucasus to the EU, construction of infrastructure connecting Ukraine with the EU, EU engagement in introducing Ukraine to the WTO; (ii) social movement, including freedom of travel, migration and cross-border cooperation; and, (iii) political issues, including the perception of Ukraine as the direct neighbor of the EU, roles of neighboring countries in forming EU policy to Ukraine, role of Ukraine in public safety policies of the EU, EU policy to Russia and EU policy in the Black Sea region
Forensic Methodology in Criminal Investigation: Analysis of Audio/Video and Digital Material
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Forensic Science Center of Lithuania, Vilnius
Summary: To conclude a long-term initiative designed to harmonize and consolidate practical working methods of forensic analysis as pioneered by the Baltic Network of Forensic Science Institutions, to consolidate the work of forensic science specialists in securing legal rights of persons in law processes, to avoid mistakes and unqualified investigation in the fields of audio/video analysis and computer information and to create opportunities to consult with colleagues in solving complex forensic cases
NGO Sector Development in Rural Regions in Azerbaijan and Georgia
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Azerbaijan Youth Union Baku in cooperation with Green Earth Georgia
Summary: To support the development of civil society organizations specifically in the northwest region of Azerbaijan by providing an opportunity for exchange with NGOs in Yugoslavia and Georgia and to attract young people to volunteer work.
Strengthening Academies of Local Development
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Foundation for Social and Economic Initiatives Warsaw (www.fise.ngo.pl) in partnership with the Urban Development Agency Ternopil, Consortium of Regional and Local Development Institutions, Transcarpathian Region Uzhgorod, Transcarpathian Agency for Regional Development and Cross-Border Cooperation, Transcarpathian Development Promotion Fund, Institute of Public Administration and Regional Development of the State University Uzhgorod, Europolis Agency for Urban Development and Information Resources, Donbass Development Agency Donetsk
Summary: To conclude a long-term initiative of knowledge transfer to establish a team of trainers and training modules for local/regional development education in Ukraine within the institutionalization of an Academy of Local Development in Ukraine
Euro-Democracy: Kaliningrad District after Poland s Entry to the EU
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: Regional Center for European and Tourist Information Elblag (www.rcie.elblag.com.pl) and Mayor s Office of the City of Kaliningrad
Summary: To support ongoing work to introduce new methodologies of working with young people and innovations in school curricula in Kaliningrad in the context of Poland s accession to the EU, specifically to focus on European integration, civil society, education for democracy and human rights
Mediation in Probation
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Hungary and Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizers: Regional Social Welfare Resource Center Budapest (www.budapest.hu/2000/szoc/bszf.html) Institute for Probation and Mediation Prague and Hungarian Association of Adult Probation Officers
Summary: To support public awareness of restorative justice among Hungarian law enforcement experts by focusing on mediation methods first applied in the Czech Republic, to begin to develop probation and mediation standards in Hungary to meet the recommendations of the Council of Europe and to lobby for wider use of alternative sanctioning tools of restorative justice in Hungary
Partnership for Parents and Professionals: Effective Assistance to Children and Adults with Autism
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: SYNAPSIS Foundation for the Promotion of Family Warsaw (www.synapsis.waw.pl)
Partners: Foundation for Autistic Children Wirmenska and Ukrainian Research Institute of Social Psychiatry
Summary: To support a long-term initiative of know-how transfer in social networking of support groups, parents and professionals working with children with autism, to encourage collaborative projects focused on innovative day care centers and schools to support the families of children with autism and to promote the development of therapeutic-educational centers in Ukraine
Capacity Building of Environmental NGOs in the Caucasus
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Georgia Foundation
Organizer: CENN Caucasus Environmental NGO Network Tbilisi (www.cenn.org) in partnership with CENN Armenia representative Environmental Survival Union and CENN Azerbaijan representative Ecological Stability ECOS
Summary: To support empowerment of environmental NGOs in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan to improve environmental legislation and practices, to strengthen environmental education, eco-awareness and public participation in environmental decision-making and to promote sustainable forest management practices as a tool for poverty alleviation
New Community/Old Policies?
How Can the European Employment Strategy Help New Member States in Fighting Unemployment?
How Will Shutting the Eastern Door Affect Our Economies?
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and Soros Foundation-Hungary
Organizers: CASE Center for Social and Economic Research Foundation Warsaw (www.case.com.pl), Academia Istropolitana Nova Svaty Jur, Europeum Civic Association Prague and Institute for World Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Science Budapest
Summary: To contribute to a long-term initiative specifically to present new models of addressing European Union policies on unemployment, border issues and agriculture and to involve experts in Central Europe in debating these policies to promote their influence and impact on decision-making
European Studies Curriculum for Public Schools
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: International Foundation for Education Research and Policy, Kyiv
Summary: To support the development of standards for a European Studies course for secondary education in Ukraine and to monitor effectiveness of this course in high schools
Monitoring and Policy Recommendations to Stop Child Trafficking
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Save the Children Romania (www.savethechildren.net/romania)
Summary: To facilitate a platform for communication and exchange of information and good practices among NGOs with programs in child trafficking, to develop a regional strategy and plan of action for assessing this phenomena and disseminating good practices to overcome child trafficking and to elaborate a regional study of measures taken and recommendations implemented by authorities and NGOs
Strengths and Weaknesses in Local Governance: Romania and Moldova
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: National League of Mayors' Associations in Republic of Moldova (LNAPM) in partnership with the Soros Foundation Moldova and Institute for Public Policy, Bucharest
Summary: To strengthen associative structures of local public authorities in Moldova by increasing the efficiency of their activities to promote interests of local communities based on experiences in Romania, Poland and Slovakia
Public Libraries in Strengthening Community-based Services: Lithuania and Georgia
2002-2003
Soros Foundations: Open Society Fund Lithuania and Open Society Georgia Foundation
Organizers: Georgian Library Association, Tbilisi (www.gela.org.ge) and Lithuanian Librarians Association, Vilnius (www.lbd.lt)
Summary: To promote cooperation and exchange of information among libraries in Lithuania and Georgia and to promote community libraries as community service resources
Comparative Analysis of Municipality Policy: Azerbaijan, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Sofia (Bulgaria)
Organizer: Association Tolerance, Sofia (www.tolerantnost.com)
Summary: To support a comparative analysis of similarities and differences in municipal policies, specifically to analyze how similar problems were resolved in each of these countries, and to establish a platform for regular communication and information sharing
Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Violence: New Methodologies of Education in High Schools
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Gender Studies Center, Vilnius University (www.vu.lt) in partnership with Svencioniai Teachers Education Center Vilnius
Summary: To promote cooperation of teachers and NGOs to share practical experiences in preventive work against sexual abuse and violence and to draft a proposal for the Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science on the introduction of preventative programs in high schools.
Stop AIDS
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: Regional SALUS Foundation, Lviv (www.salus.org.ua) and Youth Yugoslavian Organization against AIDS, The Youth of JAZAS, Belgrade (www.aids-info.org.yu) in partnership with TADA Association, HIV/AIDS and other STI Prevention Programs, Szczecin (www.tada.pl), Charitable Foundation Metamorphoses Lviv and Adolescents Affairs Department of the Lviv City Council
Summary: To support the introduction in Ukraine of peer education in the prevention and prophylaxis of HIV infection with the input of experts in Serbia and Poland and to support the creation of a network of Ukrainian trainers
Clean Hands: Student Campaign for Transparency in Education
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Educational Debate Center Druskininkai
Partners: Junior Achievement Foundation Poland Warsaw (www.jaintl.org), Public Organization Debate Center Latvia Liepaja, Estonian Debating Society Tallinn, Debating Society Stuttgart, Public Association New Club of Communications Minsk and Transparency International Vilnius (www.transparency.org)
Summary: To conclude a long-term initiative of implementation of Clean Hands campaigns and to introduce an anti-corruption curriculum in universities in Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Moldova and Kazakstan
Anti-Corruption Citizen Advocacy Offices: Advocacy and Lobbying in Anti-Corruption Practices
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation for Albania
Organizers: Leginet Center Albania, Samara Center of Law and Management Systems International (MSI) (www.msiworldwide.com)
Summary: To support the development of an initiative piloted in the East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders in 2002 to exchange best practices and lessons learned in citizen advocacy/lobbying in decision-making and governmental structures and to identify effective approaches in advocacy for transparency
Youth Against Drugs Across Borders
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Association Jowisz, Walbrzych in partnership with Public Foundation Perekriostek, Kostanai and Youth Social and Psychological Center Dvieri Moscow
Summary: To support the preparation of a model of educating leaders of informal youth groups to influence their peers positively to decrease youth involvement in addiction problems
Opportunities and Approaches to Rural Development
2002-2003
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Center for Rural Assistance, Timisoara
Summary: To promote community development by connecting people, ideas and resources in a new framework and to strengthen exchange of experiences and best practices among NGOs active in rural development
Free Legal Services for Refugees and Victims of Human Rights Violations: Poland and Ukraine
2002-2004
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: South Ukrainian Center of Young Lawyers, Odessa in partnership with Jagiellonian University Human Rights Center (www.ujhrc.org)
Summary: To support a long-term initiative of collaboration in the development of free legal aid for refugees and victims of human rights abuses, and to prepare lawyers and volunteer law students to offer legal assistance in international human rights and refugee law.
Prevention of Potential Environmental Disasters in the Territories of the East-West Energy Corridor
2002-2004
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Public Association for Sustainable Development Assistance Chevra, Baku in partnership Georgian Geophysical Society Tbilisi and Disaster Management Resource Center, Middle East Technical University Ankara
Summary: To support a pilot initiative of three NGOs in neighboring countries to utilize independent expertise of the energy corridor territories in developing regional environmental disaster hazard and impact assessment systems
Local Self-Government in Small Towns in Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic
2002-2004
Soros Foundations: Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic) and Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizers: Union of Towns and Communities of the Czech Republic (www.smocr.cz) and Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Yugoslavia (SKGOJ), Belgrade
Summary: To support civil servants in Serbia to study the public administration system in the Czech Republic, the functioning of Czech municipalities and the role and activities of the Union of Towns and Communities of the Czech Republic and to strengthen cooperation between Czech and Serbian municipalities and associations
From Conflict to Multicultural Societies: Management of Integration in Multicultural Societies
2002-2004
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Moldova
Organizer: Soros Foundation-Moldova in partnership with Jaan Tonisson Institute, Tallinn (www.jti.ee/en/), Tartu University Narva College, Center of Multicultural Education of the University of Latvia, Institute of Public Policy Moldova and Foras na Gaeilge Agency, Dublin
Summary: To support a comparative study of divided societies with protracted conflicts and to contribute to public discussion and analysis in preparation of a referendum in Moldova on a new federative constitution
Local Self-Government Experience in International Practice: Poland and Azerbaijan
2002-2004
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizers: Partners Poland Foundation Warsaw and Support Center for Democratic Elections Baku
Summary: To prepare experts in Azerbaijan to train in the School of Local Government Education based on incorporating good experiences and avoiding bad experiences in local government management in Poland
Community Information Centers: Mongolia and Lithuania
Soros Foundations: Mongolian Foundation for Open Society and Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizers: Mongolian Foundation for Open Society and Open Society Fund Lithuania
Summary: To support an exchange of experiences in the organization of rural Community Information Centers, specifically for professionals in Mongolia to learn experiences of colleagues in Lithuania in making Community Information Centers sustainable
Constitutional Design of Presidential-Parliamentary Relationships
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: American University in Kyrgyzstan in partnership with the Eurasia Foundation, Bishkek
Summary: To support an informed public debate about amendments proposed to the constitution in Kyrgyzstan, specifically to provide information and formulate recommendations about executive/legislative relationships and division of state powers in the context of constitutional reform processes
Creating a Union of Roma Communities in Eastern Europe and Eurasia
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizer: Smolensk Roma Diaspora
Summary: To support consolidation of initiatives in community organizing and mobilization of Russian-language Roma communities as a viable force to overcome systemic obstacles in the exercise of human rights and equal opportunities
Local Government, Business and NGO Cooperation: Poland and Kaliningrad
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Foundation for the Development of Goldap Region (www.free.ngo.pl/goldap) in partnership with Democratic Development Foundation of Gusiew Region and Kaliningrad district of Russian Federation
Summary: To support grassroots initiative to develop stable cooperation and partnership among local governments, businesses and civil society organizations, specifically in the context of Poland s relations with Kaliningrad
Philanthropic Activities as a Way to Solve Social Problems in Eastern Europe: Food Bank Project
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Charity Foundation Lithuanian and U.S. Initiatives (LUSI), Vilnius
Summary: To contribute to this long-term initiative by bringing together people involved in similar initiatives to compare experiences and as a network to exert pressure on governments, business and society to recognize appropriate roles of the civil sector in resolving social problems
Kaliningrad and European Integration: Public Opinion in Europe and Russia
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: Samara regional public organization Foundation of Social Investigations (FSI) and Kaliningrad Sociological Center (KSC)
Summary: To promote an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing Kaliningrad in terms of its perception by Russian society as one factor to inform state and administrative decisions about Kaliningrad and to look at positive and negative experiences of European integration in neighboring countries and consequent impact on Kaliningrad
Regional Platform for Cooperation between Universities and Industry: REGILOn
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: INNOVA Slovakia Foundation, Bratislava (www.bicba.sk/innova)
Summary: To support long-term cooperation among universities and industry in Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Austria as a platform for knowledge exchange, practical know-how and technology transfer and research and development initiatives with the aim of assisting university students in adapting to professional life after completing university studies
Integration Processes in Eastern Ukraine: Positive Experiences in Poland
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: South-East Center of Municipal and Regional Development, Lugansk
Summary: To support objective information dissemination in eastern Ukraine given opposing views in the western and eastern regions of Ukraine concerning the European Union, to promote public discussion of positive and negative prospects of Ukraine s becoming an associated member of the European Union and to investigate public perceptions of European integration
Integrated Education for Disabled Children
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Civic Association INAK, Slovakia
Summary: To promote professional development of teachers and managers of special education programs by giving them an opportunity to interact with colleagues to compare experiences and explore new approaches in solving problems of integration of disabled students in elementary education
Look Where I Live Now: Young People in Romania, Hungary and Serbia
Soros Foundations: Open Society Foundation Romania, Soros Foundation Hungary, Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizers: Márton Áron High School, Miercurea-Ciuc www.mag.ro, Lazarista Szent László High School Szob, Open Prospects Subotica, Svetozar Markovic High School Subotica, Economic High School Subotica and Medicine High School, Subotica
Summary: To support high school pupils in Romania, Hungary and Serbia to engage in public discussion on education in the context of local resources and to inspire new ideas for education reform
Foreign Direct Investment Policies in the South East Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Croatia
Organizer: Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb in partnership with University of Greenwich, Business School, London
Summary: To support scholars, managers and public sector officials to analyze FDI policies in the western Balkans and reasons for success and failure of FDI policies, to increase regional capacity to undertake policy research related to governmental policies on foreign direct investment and to formulate policy recommendations to encourage and support foreign direct investment
Entrepreneurial Activities for Young Managers in Moldova: Experiences in the Czech Republic
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizers: Czech University of Agriculture Prague (CUA), Faculty of Economics and Management and International Center for Research of Economic Transformations of Moldova
Summary: To support exchange of entrepreneurial knowledge and experience among young managers in developing small business in Moldova, to contribute to the maturity of young managers in Moldova by strengthening their managerial skills to initiate small business enterprises, to study experiences that raised the competitiveness of small businesses in a market economy in the Czech Republic and to examine the contribution of NGOs in the development of managerial skills of young people
Perspectives for a Common Information Space in the Baltic Sea Region
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizer: St. Petersburg Regional Non-Governmental Organization The Baltic Club in partnership with the
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland In St. Petersburg, Information Agency Rosbalt, Information Agency BNS, Information Agency ITAR-TASS, Information Agency ELTA, Information Agency LETA and newspapers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Summary: To support the creation of a sustainable system of interaction among information structures, public actors and the scholarly community to overcome negative stereotypes and to elaborate policies of positive images of partnership
Civic Education through NGO and University Cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region Countries
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Lithuanian College of Democracy (LCD), Vilnius in partnership with Vilnius Pedagogical University, Department of Social Education and Modern Didactic Center (MDC), Vilnius
Summary: To support a civic education network of teachers by incorporating non-governmental organizations and universities into partnership models
Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network CASCFEN (www.cascfen.org)
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Journalists' Trade Union, Baku (www.juhiaz.org)
Summary: To promote a network of press freedom groups to promote access to information and involvement in regional dialogue, to coordinate activities of press freedom groups for greater impact, to promote press freedom organizations at international levels and to campaign for improved press freedom conditions by joining efforts of groups of regional groups and international press freedom advocacy organizations
European Education for NGOs: Poland and Ukraine
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: The Youth Parliament, Przemysl (www.parlament.w.pl) or (www.free.ngo.pl/parlament) and Euroclub, Lviv
Summary: To support experience and knowledge exchange for young people, specifically to focus on the history of European integration, European law, institutional systems and monetary integration and political structures of EU members and candidate countries
Community Development Partnership Building in Central and Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizers: Human Reform Foundation Romania and Hungarian Association for Community Development
Summary: To conclude a two-year initiative to analyze community development as a tool in promoting democratization at regional and community levels, especially rural areas, specifically to extend this work to NGOs to promote public impact and to strengthen networking and collaboration among community development organizations
Homophobia in South East Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Euroregional Center for Democracy, Timisoara (www.regionalnet.org)
Summary: To support an analysis of the image of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender minorities and social categories likely to develop homophobic attitudes, specifically to formulate an action plan for NGOs to assist in advocating for LGBT rights and policy proposals to adjust national regulations to European standards
Methadone Maintenance and Substitution Treatments
Comparative Analysis of Implementation in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizers: Open Society Fund Bratislava and Harm Reduction Program
Summary: To promote knowledge exchange aimed at policy and decision-makers to analyze existing attitudes about and challenges to the implementation of methadone maintenance treatment programs
Gender Mainstreaming Policy in the Framework of the Environment for Europe Process
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Liberal Society Institute, Kyiv
Summary: To support women s participation in international decision-making processes, empowerment of women in political participation and advocacy priorities of sustainable development
Art Therapy for Women s Support Centers in Russia and Kazakstan
Soros Foundations: Open Society Institute Russia and Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizers: Art Therapy Baltic Center Aidos, St. Petersburg and Taldakorgan Regional Women Support Center, Kazakstan
Summary: To support practical cooperation and know-how transfer of art therapy training in the rehabilitation of women and children who have suffered domestic violence, specifically to share adaptations of training methodologies utilized in Russia
Roma Women Unite!
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Educational Society for Malopolska, Nowy Sacz (www.mto.org.pl) in partnership with Roma Women s Club, Detva
Summary: To support positive social and economic development of Roma through women s empowerment and to create a Roma Women s Forum as a center for ongoing exchanges, communication and information
Piloting a Local Business Incubator: Experiences in Bulgaria
Soros Foundation: Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizers: Small Business Support Program of the Timok Club, Knjazevac and Balkan Civic Coalition
Summary: To launch a long-term initiative between two border regions to share experiences and best practices of the business incubator model in Vidin, specifically to assist the Timok Club in Knjazevac to implement a pilot business incubator model and develop a Center for Small and Medium Enterprises
Transparent Electoral Campaigns Financing: Regulation of National Electoral Legislation
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Secretariat of Freedom of Choice Coalition of Ukrainian NGOs, Kyiv
Summary: To contribute to the program, Three Steps towards Transparent Financing of Electoral Campaigns in Ukraine, to improve national electoral legislation and to support a favorable environment for transparency in electoral funds as well as mechanisms of civic monitoring of electoral campaign financing to optimize monitoring approaches
Religion and Democracy: Exchange of Experiences East and West
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Lithuania
Organizers: New Religions Research and Information Center (NRTIC), Vilnius and Vilnius University Center for Religions Research and Study
Summary: To support dialogue among scholars and decision-makers to analyze and define recent phenomena in the growth of new religions and religious movements, practice and activity and to inform the debate in the Lithuanian parliament on a second draft law proposed to ban activities of religious sects
Crime Control and Prevention in the European Union Integration Process
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Center for Crime Prevention in Lithuania, Vilnius in partnership with the Law University of Lithuania Vilnius, Institute of Law Vilnius, Vilnius University Faculty of Philosophy and Transparency International Lithuanian Chapter
Summary: To support the development and/or revision of crime prevention programs by bringing together regional and European experts from academia, non-governmental and governmental sectors to compare effective crime control measures and long-term trans-national strategies and public awareness campaigns
Youth Involvement in Election Processes
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Association of Young Azerbaijani Friends of Europe (AYAFE), Baku in partnership with the Center of Harmonization and Development, Tashkent
Summary: To support the elaboration of a strategy for Azerbaijan in youth participation in election processes, to increase civil activity of youth, youth responsibility and informed participation in democratization processes, specifically to compare experiences in legislative aspects of involving youth in elections, youth education about elections and voting and political activity of youth during elections
Queer Zagreb: Overcoming Stereotypes and Protecting Rights
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Croatia
Organizer: BLOK Local Base for Cultural Refreshment, Zagreb
Summary: To promote public debate on the present status of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual rights, to raise the visibility and awareness of GLBT rights in southeast Europe and to educate the public to overcome stereotypes and prejudice
Public Participation in Developing Sustainable Urban Transport Policies
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: EcoPravo, Kyiv in partnership with Members of the International Association of CEE & NIS NGOs on Transport, Health and Environment CAST Association/Clean Air and Sustainable Transport, Estonian Fund Nature (ELF), Tartu (www.elfond.ee), EcoPravo, Minsk, Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, Tbilisi, Scientific Research Institute of Sanitation and Hygiene, Tbilisi, Ecological NGO Ruzgar, Baku (www.azenvirov.aznet.org), Center of Environmental Studies, Budapest (www.ktk-cec.hu) and Environmental Law NGO Yanus, Armenia
Summary: To raise public awareness about transport-related air pollution and mechanisms of public participation in environment decision-making regarding city transport policies and to promote cooperation among authorities and NGOs on urban transport policy
Forum for Anti-Narcotics Activity: The Silk Road as a Bridge for Dialogue and Peace
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: State Commission on Drugs Control under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in partnership with the Regional Representation of Management of the UN on Drugs and Criminality in Central Asia (formerly, Management of the United Nations on the Control of Drugs and Prevention Criminality)
Summary: To support a platform for regional exchange and distribution of information about anti-narcotics activity and to promote trans-national anti-narcotics strategies
Role of NGOs in Democratic Election Processes: Azerbaijan and Serbia
Soros Foundations: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan and Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizers: Azerbaijan National Democracy Foundation (ANDF), Baku (www.andf-az.org) and Civic Initiatives, Belgrade (www.gradjanske.org)
Summary: To support an exchange of experiences among NGOs specifically focused on civil society involvement in elections to contribute to the role NGOs may play in elections in Azerbaijan
Together Against Poverty: Hungary, Romania and Ukraine
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizer: Roma Leaders Professional Association, Bagamer in partnership with Mukacsivszke Miszke Kulturno-Proszvitnyicke Tavarisztvo Pomib NYEVIPE, Zakarpatszkaja oblast, Ukraine and Ruhama Foundation, Oradea
Summary: To support leaders of Roma communities to resolve community problems without being dependent on humanitarian assistance and to promote long-term collaboration in the protection of minority rights
Harmonization of Drug Prevention Information Systems in Klaipeda and Kaliningrad
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Klaipeda Drug and AIDS Prevention Group in partnership with the Hospital of Dependency Diseases for Kaliningrad Oblast, Kaliningrad
Summary: To promote information and experience exchange among institutions and organizations working in drug prevention and harm reduction in Klaipeda and Kaliningrad and to develop a common long-term program of drug prevention monitoring systems
Borders of Europe: Reflection Group on European Values
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: International Cooperation Program (formerly European Forum) of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw and Institute for Human Sciences, Vienna
Summary: To support participation of journalists in the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey and Ukraine to attend this roundtable to debate European values and their relevance for EU enlargement processes, specifically to focus on the borders of Europe and relations of an expanded EU
Future of Visegrad Cooperation after EU Enlargement: A New Beginning?
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: International Cooperation Program (formerly European Forum) of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Warsaw
Summary: To promote revitalization of trans-national cooperation among Visegrad countries, specifically to advocate that new possibilities in joining the EU will be used in favor of and not against regional cooperation
From Tolerance to Integration: Forum for Exchanging Multinational Experience
Soros Foundation: Open Estonia Foundation
Organizer: Narva Center of Community Integration Initiative
Summary: To support an exchange of youth leaders in Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Russia and Estonia to compare techniques of developing summer programs for young people to engage in multi-national dialogue
High Roads of Green Europe: Civic Participation in Environmental Decision-Making
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Ecological UNESCO Club Workshop for Bio-diversity, Piaski in partnership with Wlodawa District Office and Initiative Group of Polesie Society at the Szack National Park, Szacki Region
Summary: To promote partnership among village women, teachers, NGOs and local governments in Poland and Ukraine in support of the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, specifically to empower local groups to work with local governments
Role of Municipalities in Border Initiative Development in Circumstances of EU Expansion
Soros Foundation : Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: Center for Sustainable Development of the Pskov Region, Aluksne Municipal Administration and
Local Self-Governments Union of the Voru County
Summary: To promote long-term strategies of cross-border cooperation at the municipality level, to analyze resources of local self-governments and plans for investment in joint activities and to assess prospects of the Council on Cooperation between the border regions of Russia, Latvia and Estonia and opportunities for transformation into a Euroregion
Citizen s Society: Cooperation between NGOs and Local Government
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Center for Education and Dialogue Theotokos, Gliwice (www.theotokos.org.pl) in partnership with the Agency of Development of Carpats, Sambor
Summary: To exchange experiences, best practices and mistakes made in promoting an active citizenry and NGO leadership, specifically to promote NGO cooperation with local governments
Conflict of Interest in Local Public Administration: Between Regulations and Control Mechanisms
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Institute for Public Policy, Bucharest
Summary: To support an objective analysis of conflict of interest in local public administration for national policy-makers who will adopt legislation, to stimulate civil society interest in monitoring the application of legal provisions through electronically publication of information and to inform the public about conflict of interest in local public administration
Opportunities and Integration in Education for Children with Hearing Problems
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizer: Center for Social Adaptation and Vocational Rehabilitation of Children and Adolescents with Mental and Physical Developmental Disorders (PA Center SATR), Almaty
Summary: To analyze experiences of social adaptation and integration of hearing impaired persons, to formulate approaches to social and pedagogical assistance meeting modern requirements, to formulate new approaches to resolving problems in education of hearing impaired children and to analyze the draft of legal documents on the implementation of the Law on Social, Medical and Special Educational Support for Children in Kazakstan
Improving Intercultural Education: Supporting Diversity in Multicultural Societies
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizers: People in Need Foundation, Prague and SIEDO Independent Society for Education and Human Rights, Moldova
Summary: To support professionals and NGO representatives in Moldova with information about multicultural education as implemented by the People in Need Foundation and Czech NGOs and institutions active in this field, to study Czech legislative and official practices and policies in multicultural education, to learn the activities carried out in this field by the third sector focused on improving relationships among ethnic groups and to establish a basis for initiating multicultural education in Moldova on formal and non-formal levels
Social Partnership in Mental Health: East Learns from East
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Mental Health Foundation (MHF), Yerevan in partnership with Khnamk, Armenia
Summary: To support an exchange of experiences in establishing community-based mental health services and building links between the NGO sector and the government particularly in the allocation of state/local government funding and to encourage decision-makers in Armenia to support modern approaches to mental health care
Promoting University Students Involvement in Elections: Experiences in Lithuania and Azerbaijan
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Bridge to the Future Youth Union, Ganja
Summary: To promote education of young people about elections and election procedures, to promote active involvement in participatory democracy of young people and to compare experiences in motivating young people
Experiential Learning for Youth Workers: Capacity Building Network
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Kitokie Projektai/Bespoke Projects, Vilnius (www.kitokieprojektai.net) in partnership with Experiential Learning Center Riga, Outward Bound Slovakia, Habitat for Humanity International Budapest,
AEGEE Tallinn, Youth and Sport Directorate Suceava County Romania and New Faces Minsk
Summary: To support the conclusion of a long-term initiative for youth workers engaged with groups at risk, to prepare recommendations on methodologies for informal education of working with groups at risk and to introduce new methodologies to municipalities, police, social service workers and in suicide, crime and drug abuse prevention programs
Establishing a System of Quality Assurance and Evaluation for Higher Education
Soros Foundation: Kosova Foundation for Open Society
Organizer: Ministry of Education, Science & Technology MEST, Kosovo in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, University of Pristina, Kosovo Education Center (KEC) Pristina and
British Council Office Pristina
Summary: To support the establishment of an Agency of Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Kosovo by an exchange of professional experiences in formulating official standards for higher education, evaluation of academic qualifications and the quality of studies and policies on university curriculum development and evaluation
Alternatives, Choices and Consequences in Local and Regional Development Policies
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Civitas Foundation for Civil Society, Cluj-Napoca (www.civitas.ro)
Summary: To support an exchange of experiences on collaboration among local public administrations (LPA) and civil society organizations, to analyze situations in which civil society organizations contribute managerial skills and financial resources to local development and to draft guidelines for collaboration among civil society organizations and local public administrations
Family Medicine in Europe: Lessons and Perspectives
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Lithuanian Society of Teachers in Family Medicine, Vilnius in partnership with the European Academy of Teachers in General Practice (EURACT), Leuven
Summary: To support cooperation and exchange of best practices among teachers of primary care medicine to promote new approaches from physician-oriented to patient-oriented health care in health care reform
Children s Rights: Raising Public Awareness and Advocacy
Soros Foundation: Kosova Foundation for Open Society
Organizer: Kosova Education Center, Pristina
Summary: To contribute to the Quality Education Program launched in 2000 to improve teaching in primary schools by conducting a comparative analysis of children s rights in neighboring countries, to raise public awareness of the need to respect children s rights and to engage decision-makers, educators and students in designing special in-service teacher-training programs
Modern Legislation and National Policies on Disability: Albania and Hungary
Soros Foundations: Open Society Foundation for Albania and Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizers: Handikap Interalb (HI), Tirana and Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF), Tirana (www.adrf.org.al) in partnership with Meosz National Federation of Disabled Persons Associations, Hungary
(web.matavnet.hu/meosz)
Summary: To strengthen the existing framework for disability legislation in Albania in education, employment and environment accessibility by analyzing the model of disability legislation in Hungary
NGO Contribution to Social Integration and Diversity Management in Multicultural Societies
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Estonia Foundation
Organizers: Center for Minority Issues Moldova, Estonian Association of Human Rights and the East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders, Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Estonia Foundation
Summary: To analyze experiences of cultural NGO activities in Estonia to inform ethno-cultural NGOs in Moldova, whose activities are focused on defense and protection of minority rights, but who lack experience in developing activities to ensure integration in society, specifically to influence processes of overcoming barriers and prejudices
Analytical and Research Development of the Draft Law on Political Parties Financing
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Social & Humanitarian Consortium Geneza, Lviv in partnership with the Center for Political Studies, Elections and Political Processes Project and Development Associates, Inc.
Summary: To support the final stage of a long-term initiative to draft legislation for the financing of political parties in Ukraine by leveraging trans-national experiences to influence a domestic reform agenda
Act 4 Europe! Civil Society s Next Steps after the European Convention
Organizer: Secretariat of the Civil Society Contact Group c/o Social Platform, Brussels
Summary: To support participation from EU accession countries of civil society leaders to the final civil dialogue/exchange of views between EU officials and civil society to mark the end of the European Convention and to support the NGO sector perspective to the summit of heads of state and the Intergovernmental Conference which will finalize the Convention
Rural Development Agencies in Border Regions of Hungary and Romania
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizers: First Nyirseg Development Association, ASSOCIATION, Nyíregyháza (www.enyft.celodin.hu)
in partnership with the Transylvanian Carpathian Society, Satu Mare (www.eke.ro)
Summary: To facilitate and strengthen trans-frontier cooperation to create social and economical partnerships suitable for common initiatives and to compare experiences of Rural Development Agencies in promoting economic sustainability in rural regions
Entrepreneurial Environment in South Caucasus Region
Soros Foundation: Open Society Georgia Foundation
Organizer: New Economic School of Georgia, Tbilisi in partnership with Peace and Conflict Resolution Center Baku and Center of Youth Legal and Social Support Yerevan
Summary: To support dialogue to inform the public about the formation of the business environment in the Caucasus as compared with current circumstances, to analyze negative and positive aspects of market economy formation and to analyze activities of international investors and to estimate their influence on social development in the Caucasus
Renegotiating Socio-Cultural Identifies in post-Socialist Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizers: Institute for Cultural Anthropology Cluj, Interdisciplinary Group for Gender Studies Cluj, Foundation Desire Cluj and ASTRA Association for Visual Anthropology Sibiu
Summary: To promote a framework for a critical and difference-sensitive dialogue among activists and scholars working on issues of socio-cultural identities and social transformation and to promote cooperation among activists and academia
Granting Refugee Status in Romania and Hungary: Legislative Provisions and Procedures
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Romanian National Council for Refugees (CNRR), Bucharest (www.cnrr.ro)
Summary: To promote cooperation among magistrates in Romania and Hungary regarding refugees and asylum seekers, to strengthen the role of NGOs in Refugee Determination Status issues and to facilitate regular exchange of information among relevant actors in asylum procedures
Legal Provisions of Equality between Men and Women
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: League of Ukrainian Women Voters 50/50, Kyiv
Summary: To facilitate an exchange of best practices and lessons learned in laws to ensure equal rights and opportunities for men and women, specifically to promote this debate in Ukraine when draft laws are being prepared
International Partnership for Youth: Building Civil Society
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: SHAMS Young Women s Center, Mingachevir in partnership with NGO Women s Club Peoni, Tbilisi
Summary: To strengthen human rights education in the regions of Azerbaijan specifically among youth NGOs and to promote cooperation between Azeri and Georgian youth NGOs
Minority Rights, Education and Identity in Multicultural Societies: Lithuania and Moldova
Soros Foundations: Open Society Fund Lithuania and Soros Foundation-Moldova
Organizer: Foundation for Educational Change, Vilnius (www.skf.osf.lt) in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania, Center for Stateless Cultures of Vilnius University (www.statelesscultures.lt), Russian Culture Center Vilnius, Kedainiai Territorial Museum and Silute Regional Museum
Summary: To analyze policies applied in Lithuania regarding national minorities and to study the experiences of Lithuanian NGOs, cultural and educational institutions in supporting integration of minorities in society, to analyze and compare rights and legislation for national minorities to strengthen coalitions and alliances with like-minded NGOs to influence public policies and public policy dialogue
Overcoming Problems Preventing Municipalities Development: Experiences in Bulgaria and Turkey
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizers and partners: Kapaz municipality Ganja Azerbaijan, Turkish Economic and Social Research Society (TESRS), Istanbul (www.tesev.org.tr) and Turkish Municipalities Alliance (TMA), Ankara (www.turk-belediyeleri.com)
Summary: To support a comparative analysis of the division of power between municipalities and central authorities and the executive power and legislative base of cooperation in Turkey, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, specifically to inform political reforms in Azerbaijan which seek to accelerate the transformation process to self-government and strengthen municipal activity and responsibility, including citizen participation in local decision-making and professional requirements and education for municipal leaders
Youth Organizations in Building Civil Society: Poland, Russia and Latvia
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Center for Youth Cooperation and Mobility, Gdynia (www.cwm.org.pl) in partnership with Regional Youth Social Organization Dune, Zelenogradsk/Kaliningrad region; Kaliningrad Regional Youth Social Organization Tsunami, Pionersky; Association of Youth and Student s Organizations of Kaliningrad Region AMISO, Kaliningrad; Kaliningrad Regional Youth Organization Council of Students, Kaliningrad; Russian Union Young, Slavsk, Kaliningrad region; and, Liepajas Jaunatnes Centers, Liepaja
Summary: To support an exchange among youth organizations working with marginalized groups in society, to compare youth policies which support or inhibit this work and to explore joint policy recommendations to support trans-national partnership among youth organizations
NGO Experiences in Nature Protection: Interaction with State Structures
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizer: Environmental Union Belovodye
Summary: To support long-term cooperation between the non-governmental sector and status nature protection organizations of the Ob-Irtysh water basin, to coordinate a network of NGOs working in nature protection and to elaborate a joint strategy for protection of the water basin
Mechanisms to Promote Active Participation of Women in Elections: Turkey and Azerbaijan
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Society for the Protection of Women s Rights, Baku in partnership with the Club of Women Politicians (KASIDE), Ankara
Summary: To analyze experiences in Turkey of conducting democratic elections in preparation for presidential elections this autumn in Azerbaijan and to examine NGO development and the role of NGOs in civil society development
Involvement of Youth in Solving Community Problems: Social Equity for Everyone
Soros Foundations: Open Society Foundation Romania, Open Society Fund Sofia (Bulgaria)
Organizers: ECOSENS Romania, Sustainable Development of Civil Society, Bulgaria and Raza Soarelui, Moldova
Summary: To promote involvement of youth in Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova in resolving problems of community development, to initiate a long term partnership among youth in support of democratic development in communities and to provide equal chances for ethnic youth groups and young people with disabilities to participate in community decision-making processes
Challenges of Religious Plurality in Central and Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: Lviv National Ivan Franko University and Genesis Social-Humanitarian Consortium NGO, Lviv
Summary: To promote public discourse and understanding of religious diversity and pluralism in Eastern Europe and to promote engagement of scholars and specialists in Ukraine in analyzing political and religious diversity
Reforming Trade Unions: Experiences and Best Practices in Central Europe
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: All-Ukrainian Union of Workers Solidarity (VOST), Kyiv
Summary: To analyze experiences of reforming trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe specifically in the context of preparing for trade union reform in Ukraine and to encourage all stakeholders to participate in a social dialogue to inform the reform process
A World of Peace: Celebrating Differences
Young Leaders from Conflict Zones in the NIS and South-Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Moldova
Organizers: The William R. Nelson Institute, Moldova and the Soros Foundation-Moldova in partnership with the Working Group on Conflict Management and Prevention, Moscow and the Caucasus Forum, Yerevan
Summary: To facilitate an exchange of experiences and methodologies in interethnic and intercultural relations among young civic leaders in conflict zones
Group Analysis in Eastern Europe: Practice and Role in Community Building
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Lithuanian Group Analytic Society, Vilnius (www.groupanalysis.tinklapis.lt)
Summary: To support a pilot initiative for mental health professionals to analyze perspectives and implementation of group analysis, standards and requirements of professional training and the influence innovative approaches to mental health in health care systems
Education for Participation in a Civil Society: NGO-University Partnerships
Soros Foundation: Open Estonia Foundation
Organizers: Center of Excellence for School Improvement (NGO), Tallinn and Estonian Reading Association (NGO), Tallinn
Summary: To promote quality in higher education by analyzing best practices and models of NGO/university partnership and to promote a multi-national network of NGOs and institutions of higher education to support collaborative initiatives in overcoming obstacles to civic participation
Civil Initiatives as Guarantees of Democratic Elections
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizers: Journalists Union of Armenia, Yerevan; Yerevan Press Club; Center for Regional Development/Transparency International, Yerevan; Association of Women with University Education, Yerevan; and Information System Development and Training Center, Charentsavan
Summary: To strengthen civil society institutions by increasing involvement in social processes, specifically administrative elections, to increase effectiveness of civil initiatives addressing democratic practices in post-Soviet countries and to establish a network of organizations to exchange information and experiences in civic engagement in elections
Elections Monitoring: Experiences of CIS and Eastern European Countries
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizers: For the Sake of Civil Society Independent Assistant Center (FSCS), Baku and Voters Club of Ukraine, Kyiv
Summary: To analyze lessons learned from the past decade, share best practices and improve cooperation among domestic election monitoring organizations; to review how domestic observer organizations organize themselves to enhance professionalism and credibility as non-partisan actors, to examine new and specialized activities of observer organizations and to examine how observers relate to current international initiatives to advance democratic election standards
Information and Consultation Assistance to Farmers: Extension Services
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizer: Saratov State Agrarian University in partnership with Eurasia Foundation Moscow, Project on Agricultural Advisory Services STOAS-GFA Agrar (TACIS Program) Rostov-on-Don, Dipol Corp. Saratov
and ACDI/VOCA Saratov
Summary: To support improvement of the quality of extension services for farmers by establishing a platform for communication and experience exchange and to influence agricultural producers to be open to new methodologies of sustainable economic development
South Caucasus Youth for Peace and Stability
Soros Foundation: Open Society Georgia Foundation
Organizers: Women s Information Center, Helsinki Citizens Assembly Georgian National Committee (hCa GNC) Tbilisi, Lighthouse Youth Union NGO Yerevan (www.youth.am/lighthouse) and Helsinki Citizens Assembly Azerbaijan National Committee (hCa ANC), Baku
Summary: To promote collaboration and cooperation among youth organizations engaged in peacemaking initiatives to overcome a lack of objective information
Bridges to Europe: Central Europe and the Caucasus
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizer: AEGEE Budapest in partnership with the Social Union of Sumgait Youth Azerbaijan,
National Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of Armenia Astgik and International Union Ertoba Tbilisi
Summary: To empower youth leaders in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan by providing opportunities for international collaboration with youth leaders in Central Europe
Young Environmentalists in South Caucasus: From Common Problems to Common Interests
Soros Foundation: Open Society Georgia Foundation
Organizer: NGO Targamosi, Tbilisi in partnership with NGO Piligrim, Baku (www.piligrim.Aznet.org); (www.azerweb.com/piligrim/); (www.piligrim.cenn.org) and Youth section of NGO Association for Sustainable Human Development, Yerevan
Summary: To promote civic engagement in environmental awareness and education as a regional platform for communication and influence on decision-making and to empower young people to implement new methodologies of environmental protection and policy formulation
Alternative Communication Methods for Children with Disabilities
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Association Legnica Wspiera Niepelnosprawnych (LWN), Legnica
Summary: To overcome challenges of educational reform for special needs children by examining and adapting modern methodologies of teacher training and interactive education for special needs children
Ethnic Cultural Diversity in the Development of Central Asian Societies: Practice, Models, Perspectives
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: Ethnic Minorities Program of the Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan in partnership with the Institute of Humanitarian Planning, Center for Development of Human Potential, Institute of Ethnic Policy in the Assembly of Peoples of Kyrgyzstan and the Center for Public Policy, Bishkek
Summary: To introduce models of multicultural interaction in Kyrgyzstan in consideration of the implementation of similar models in other multicultural societies and to compare advantages and disadvantages of different models of promoting multicultural integration
Psycho-Rehabilitation of Special Needs Children and their Parents: Czech Republic and Lithuania
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizer: Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Disability in the Czech Republic, Prague
Summary: To promote professional development of specialists working with young children with multiple disabilities by providing opportunities for specialists in Lithuania to visit special care centers in the Czech Republic to compare methodologies and lessons learned
Similarities and Differences of Approaches and Position of Youth in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus
Soros Foundation: Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizer: Center for Training, Analyses and Resources, Belgrade in partnership with European Law Students Association ELSA Bosnia and Herzegovina, Youth Information Centre (YIC) Tetovo, International Union Ertoba Tbilisi, Youth Union New Century Yerevan and the Azerbaijan Democratic Student & Youth Organization ADSAYO Baku
Summary: To promote a network of NGOs in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus to collaborate on activist training programs and implementation of a civic activist agenda internationally
Minority Protection in a Common European Constitution
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Hungary and Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizers: Hungarian Committee of Association for Community Colleges Budapest, Studium Foundation Tirgu Mures and Association for Community Colleges (ACC), Denmark
Summary: To support young NGO representatives to analyze issues of Romanian minorities in the context of EU enlargement and to introduce new methodologies of analysis in formal and non-formal formats
Diagnosis, Intervention and Psychological Assistance to Victims of Child Sex Abuse
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Nobody s Children Foundation, Warsaw (www.fdn.pl) in partnership with Center Against Abuse Dardedze Latvia, Child Abuse Center Moltur Koz Kyrgyzstan, Tartu Support Center for Abused Children Estonia, Tallinn Child Support Center Estonia, Mirta Croatia, Multidisciplinary Center for Management of Child Maltreatment Albania, Children Support Center Lithuania, Nizhny Novgorod Resource Center Russia,
Let's Cherish the Children Yugoslavia, Child Rights Center Yugoslavia, National Center for Child Abuse Prevention Moldova and International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), USA
Summary: To promote professional development of specialists who work with children who are victims of sex abuse by exchanging experiences with colleagues and to provide professionals practical knowledge that will enable them to develop effective systems of assistance for abused children in their local communities
Patients Rights and Development of Health Care Ethics in Central and Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Department of Medical History and Ethics of Medical Faculty of Vilnius University (DMHE) in partnership with Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (LBEC) Vilnius, Lithuanian National UNESCO Commission Vilnius and European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Health Care (ESPMH) Netherlands
Summary: To support a network of specialists in health care ethics and to stimulate an analysis of ethical problems in health care, to strengthen institutions dealing with health care ethics by developing teaching methods of modern health care ethics, harmonizing national and international legal provisions in respect to patients rights, reinforcing ethical reviews of biomedical research and developing research ethics committees and to draft a policy plan on how to develop health care ethics and Hospital Ethics Commissions
a.network / Regional New Media and Information Technologies Network
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Croatia
Organizers: Multimedia Institute, Zagreb and a.network
Summary: To support a regional association of new media centers which produce, present and analyze conditions of media/culture/technology and overall social development; to contribute to strengthening the sector of new media culture and make its production more accessible to the general public; and, to enhance local civil society by providing models, services and education in new media technologies and to increase participation of civil society in new media spaces
National Identity and European Integration: Ukraine-Poland-Germany
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: History Faculty of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Higher Pedagogical School in Rzeszow and Europasche Staatsburger-Akademie, Bocholt
Summary: To contribute to a long-term initiative of teachers in Ukraine, Poland and Germany to analyze how processes of European integration are reflected in school curricula, how controversial aspects of interethnic relations are presented in textbooks, how educational influences shape European and national identities and what type of historical identity is prevailing among young people
Promoting a Micro-Region Network of Small Cities in Hungary and Romania
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizer: Micro-Region Alliance of Self-Government of Bakony, Zirc in partnership with the Micro-region Todireni
Summary: To promote solutions to reduce poverty and address social and local economic development issues in the communities of the two micro-regions in Hungary and Romania and to support relations and long-term cooperation between these two micro-regions
International Civil Society Forum on Democracy, Civil Society and Good Governance
Soros Foundation: Mongolian Foundation for Open Society
Organizer: Civil Society Forum Secretariat
Summary: To support civil society leaders in Central Europe to participate in the 5th ICNRD to focus on inter-related processes of democratization, promotion of good governance and development of civil society in new or restored democracies in view of deepening and expanding democratic institutionalization and consolidation processes, promoting participatory and accountable governance schemes, improving structural conditions conducive to the growth of a robust, independent and sustainable civil society and encouraging effective state and civil society partnerships for development and democratization
State Liability and Compensation of Losses in Administrative Procedure
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Latvia
Organizer: Center for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Riga
Summary: To engage experts and judges who will work as administrative judges in a dialogue of sharing experiences, best practices and lessons learned in the implementation of administrative law, specifically to inform the implementation of the new Administrative Procedure Law entering into force in Latvia
Cooperation of NGOs in Identifying the Role of Religion in Contemporary Society
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Azerbaijan Center for Religion and Democracy, Baku
Summary: To promote practical work in Central Asia and the Caucasus in educating the public against displays of fanaticism and fundamentalism, to support progressive attitudes in preventing religious conflict and to encourage NGOs to engage in positive social partnership
Women s Opportunities in the Provinces: Good Practice and Future Prospects
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Women s Activity Center, Marijampole District in partnership with social organization Dielovaya Zhenschina/Business Woman, Kaliningrad district and NGO Jestes-my/We Are, Gizycko
Summary: To analyze conditions of productive business development for women in provincial communities, to engage women in decision-making in economic development in provinces and to share innovative experiences in promoting women s political participation and self-education
Interactive Methods for Minors to Learn Their Rights
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: Public Foundation for the Promotion of Development of Legal Infrastructure and Legal Education, Bishkek
Summary: To consolidate methodologies of improving the position of minors and legal literacy for minors based on lessons learned in implementing similar programs in post-Soviet societies
Models of Palliative Care
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakhstan
Organizer: State Organization (SO) Hospice, Almaty, in partnership with the OSI Public Health Program/Palliative Care Program
Summary: To assess the provision of palliative care in Kazakhstan and to bring together stakeholders in Kazakhstan to develop a long-term plan for introducing palliative care models by learning experiences in other countries
Holocaust Education in Schools
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Foundation for Educational Change, Vilnius (www.skf.osf.lt) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania (www.smm.lt), Embassy of Israel in Riga, Lithuanian Jewish Community, International Commission for the Evaluation of Nazi and Soviet Occupation Regimes in Lithuania (www.komisija.lt), House of Memory (Studies and Commemoration of the Holocaust and Jewish Heritage in Lithuania) Vilnius (www.atmnamai.lt), Vilnius Yiddish Institute (Vilnius University) (www.yiddishvilnius.com) and Kedainiai Territory Museum
Summary: To present Lithuanian policies regarding Holocaust education and to study experiences of Lithuanian non-governmental organizations, cultural and educational institutions in teaching about the Holocaust in schools; to analyze and compare Holocaust education and tendencies of multicultural upbringing in Eastern Europe; to analyze prospects of Holocaust education in Eastern Europe at the elementary, secondary and high schools; and, to strengthen coalitions/alliances among NGOs to influence public policies and open public dialogue
Impact Assessment: Development of Policy Making Skills of Civil Servants
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Open Society Foundation Bratislava
Summary: To promote participation in policy development by increasing the skills, capabilities and access internally among ministries and externally in public participation and to increase evidence-based policy making including techniques and tools of policy analysis, regulatory impact assessment
Implementation of the Law on Consumers' Protection
Soros Foundation: Foundation Open Society Institute - Representative Office Montenegro
Organizer: Consumers' Protection Center of Montenegro
Summary: To inform the Implementation Program of the Law on Consumer Protection in Montenegro by bringing experts from countries in which consumer protection is more developed to share best practices in the implementation of consumer rights protection
Globalization, Integration and Social Development in Central and Eastern Europe
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: University Lucian Blaga, Department of Sociology, Sibiu
Summary: To support a platform for young researchers to have an active role in processes of European integration, to share experiences in the engagement of young social scientists in Central European societies and their influence on regional development processes and policies and to formulate collaborative recommendations about the implications of globalization and EU integration processes
Thinking Globally/Acting Locally: Working with the Disabled Community to an Inclusive Society
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Lamont Center and Sports Club for Physically Disabled Adults, Cluj-Napoca (www.enableromania.ro) and (www.lamont.ro( in partnership with the British Council Romania, Bucharest (www.britishcouncil.ro)
Summary: To promote awareness of human rights and inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities in Central and Eastern Europe and to support a platform for cooperation among disability organizations
Organic Farming: An Alternative in Agriculture and in Environmental Protection
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizers: Association of Romanian Bio-farmers Bioterra, Cluj and Christliche Ostmission, Switzerland
Summary: To support field visits of farmers in Romania and Hungary to share experiences in organic farming as alternatives in agricultural production
Alternative Approaches to Military Service
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Charitable Committee ZINVORI MAIR, Yerevan
Summary: To support an analysis of laws on alternative military service to inform the draft law currently under review in Armenia and to stimulate closer cooperation among human rights organizations addressing army and alternative military service reform
Art Therapy for Disadvantaged Children: From Pedagogy to Practice
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: Center of the Psychological and Pedagogical Rehabilitation and Correction; Volga Humanitarian Foundation, Regional Center of Esthetic Education at the Department of Science and Education of the Samara region
Summary: To support an exchange of specialists working with disadvantaged children implementing new methodologies of therapies offered in correctional and asylum establishments and to engage decision-makers in a dialogue about positive effects of new therapies
Improving Waste Management: Institutional Capacity Building, Social Responsibility and NGO Participation
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Sofia (Bulgaria)
Organizer: Institute for Environmental Strategies (IES) Bulgaria, Sofia in partnership with Association for Sustainable Human Development (ASHD), Yerevan; Ecologic Stability (ECOS), Baku; International Information Center of Social Reforms (IICSR), Tbilisi; Regional Public Association Network of Experts for Sustainable Development of Central Asia (NESDCA), Almaty; Environmental Protection Foundation of Kyrgyzstan (IPFK), Bishkek; Center for Social Technologies (CST), Dushanbe; Farmers Center (FC), Nukus, Uzbekistan; Center Perzent, Uzbekistan; ARDA Environmental Management Service, Czech Republic; Paul Dax, Hungary; Gestionnaires Sans Frontiers (GSF), Romania; and Juraj Farkas, Slovakia
Summary: To initiate an NGO Waste Management Partnership Network in Central Asia and Caucasus to exchange experiences, best practices, lessons learned and models for modern waste management and to promote NGO collaboration in finding innovative solutions to region-wide social, economic and environmental acceptance of waste management modernization
Radiation Safety Problems in the Caspian Sea Region
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizers: Ruzgar Ecological Movement, Baku and Institute of Radiation Problems of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Summary: To support an exchange of information and experiences in international cooperation and public campaigns to resolve radiological implications for health and the environment
Strengthening Youth NGOs in the South Caucasus Region: Exchange with Lithuania
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Institute of Democratic Politics, Vilnius (www.dpi.lt)
Summary: To strengthen cooperation among youth NGOs in Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia and to raise the competence and quality of youth activities by enabling leaders of NGOs to explore cooperation and fundraising on an international level
Youth of the Provinces to the Elections!
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizers: Nakhichevan Resource Center on Democracy and NGOs Development and Balakan Resource Center on Human Rights and NGOs Development
Summary: To support free, fair and democratic elections in Azerbaijan by increasing electoral engagement of young people and mobilizing NGOs in Balakan, Gakh and Zakatala regions by using experiences of other countries specifically regarding youth political participation in political transition
Development and Evaluation of Coalition Activities: Mechanisms for Broadcaster Associations
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: Independent Association of Broadcasters, Kyiv and Teleradiocourier Journal/Broadcaster Professional Journal, Kyiv
Summary: To support a platform for communication and coalition of professional broadcaster associations in former Soviet republics and developed democracies to promote exchange of experience in campaigning for freedom of speech, improving access to information and protecting the rights of association members
Practical Experiences in the Development of Municipalities: Czech Republic and Georgia
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizer: FALA Training Center for Public Administration of the Czech Republic, Prague in partnership with the Councils Association of Georgia (CAG), Tbilisi
Summary: To contribute to the development of municipalities in Georgia through site visits to analyze experiences in the Czech Republic, specifically to examine associations of municipalities and regions, public administration reform and NGO engagement in the Czech Republic
Experiences of the Ombudsman Bureau: Poland and Belarus
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Fundation Dialog i Wspolpraca, Blonie in partnership with the International Institute for Policy Studies, Minsk
Summary: To contribute to the development of the draft law on an ombudsman in Belarus by analyzing experiences in Poland in the legislative provision of an ombudsman s responsibilities as well as practical realization of the legislation in the functioning of an ombudsman
Activists in Belarus: Cooperation with Poland in the European Union
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Dialog European Foundation, Bydgoszcz (www.fundacjadialog.pl) in partnership with
Belarusian State University in Minsk, Belarusian State Pedagogical University in Minsk, Belarusian State Economy University in Minsk, Belarusian State Agro-technical University in Minsk, Belarusian State University in Grodno, Belarusian State University in Brest, Belarusian Culture Foundation, Belarus Youth Association and Belarusian State Economy University in Minsk
Summary: To support activists in Belarus to analyze the political and social dynamics in Poland in advance of EU membership and to debate implications for Belarus
Citizen Participation in Local Governance
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Asociatia Bosporus/Bosporus International Network, Cluj-Napoca (www.bosporus.org) in partnership with Civitas Foundation for Civil Society, Cluj-Napoca (www.civitas.ro)
Summary: To promote active youth participation in local governance, to analyze experiences in involving young people in decision-making processes and to formulate recommendations to increase youth participation in governance
Ethno-Political Conflict Settlement: Comparative Study of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Moldova
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Society Fund Bosnia and Herzegovina
Organizers: House of Europe-Moldova and House of Europe in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Summary: To enhance the abilities of civil society activists and governors in Moldova and Bosnia & Herzegovina and to share techniques on increasing the participation of NGOs in solving ethno-political conflicts based on experiences accumulated in both countries; to influence public opinion leaders in Moldova through the example of civil society in B&H by facilitating an exchange among experts, journalists, NGO leaders, lawyers and political leaders to share their ideas and experiences in power-sharing; and, to examine the role of international organizations and actors in settling conflicts and promoting stability in southern Europe
Jobs without Borders: Analysis of the Cross-Border Labor Market
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: Voivodship Labor Office in Katowice and Branch in Bielsko-Biala in partnership with Labor Offices in the Slask Cieszynski and Beskidy Euroregion
Summary: To support the creation of a cross-border network of cooperation between labor offices in employment consultancy and labor market programming
Divided Communities: Balkan Dialogue Network
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Croatia
Organizer: Nansen Dialogue Center, Osijek (www.ndcosijek.hr) in partnership with Belgrade Nansen Center,
Nansen Dialogue Center Skopje, Nansen Dialogue Center Montenegro, Nansen Dialogue Center Mostar, Nansen Dialogue Center Banja Luka, Nansen Dialogue Center Sarajevo, Kosov@ Initiative for Democratic Society-KIDS, Mitrovica Activities Nansen Group and Center for New Visions, Pre evo
Summary: To contribute to a long-term initiative for civil society activists engaged in overcoming divisions in societies and to promote critical thinking among young people with the aim of empowering individuals to take an active role in (re)building civil society
Together To Europe: Poland, Ukraine and Belarus
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Robert Schuman Polish Foundation (www.schuman.org.pl) in partnership with Foundation Europe XXI, Ukraine (www.europexxi.kiev.ua) and Belarusian Schuman Society (www.abcnet.com.pl/blr)
Summary: To make a platform for recommendations on the future of the pro-European movement in Poland, Ukraine and Belarus and to develop new forms of common pro-European activities as Poland joins the EU
Prevention and Rehabilitation of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases: Civic Engagement in Public Health
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: Alamudun Territorial Hospital, Bishkek
Summary: To engage public health professionals, ecologists and decision-makers in a dialogue about the prevention of infectious diseases and public health concerns about infected animals and contaminated drinking water and to systematize health information for kindergartens and schools and regional social enterprises
Workshop History: Nationalist Stereotypes and the Image of the Other
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Institute of Historical Research SAS, Bratislava
Summary: To support an ongoing dialogue among young historians of the former Soviet bloc to analyze contemporary concerns of nationalist stereotypes perpetuated in historiography and used to rationalize national and ethnic conflicts
Quality Education for All: Basic Competencies for Life-long Learning
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizers: House of Europe Vilnius (www.euronamai.smm.lt), Ministry of Education and Science, Vilnius (www.smm.lt) and National Education Forum, Lithuania in partnership with UNESCO and UNDP
Summary: To explore new paradigms of quality education for life-long learning to influence national reforms and regional cooperation; to analyze the Education for All program development models and mechanisms as used to promote coalitions of NGOs and governmental organizations in influencing education policy; and, to identify innovative models of international cooperation in implementing life-long learning strategies
Ecotourism in Mountain Regions: Influence on Natural and Cultural Diversity
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Armenian Ecotourism Association, Yerevan
Summary: To consolidate South Caucasus cooperation experiences in sustainable tourism development and its enrichment with productive models in CIS/Eastern European countries; to prepare a basis for establishing regional policies in sustainable tourism/ecotourism development; to find mechanisms to minimize damage from tourism and maximize benefit in environmental, cultural and socio-economic development; and, to enlarge the field of activity and practical participation of all stakeholders in managing ecotourism at local, regional and national levels
Know-How for Business Incubators: Job Creation and Small Business Support
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
Organizer: The Congress of Women of the Kyrgyz Republic (CWKR) in partnership with UNDP Program of Social Management, Eurasia Foundation Development of Private Enterprises Project and UNIFEM Expansion of the Economic Rights and Opportunities of the Women
Summary: To support SME entrepreneurs and representatives of associations of mutual assistance to promote creative business practices and sharing information with long-term objectives of alleviating poverty through innovative and inclusive economic development
International Experiences in Working with the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Caucasus Center of Peace-Making Initiatives, Yerevan in partnership with the Helsinki Committee of Armenia (HCA) Non-Governmental Organization, Yerevan
Summary: To support an analysis of experiences of the institution of Human Rights Ombudsman so that the Law to be passed in Armenia may provide adequate opportunities for the formation and strengthening of the institution of ombudsman, maximum independence and functional status and to promote cooperation among human rights NGOs in Armenia, the future institutions of the ombudsman and institutions of ombudsmen in Europe
Impact of Agricultural Production on the Environment: Research, Practice and Health Education
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Envirovet Baltic Network, Kaunas in partnership with the Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Veterinary Biosciences; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki; Latvian University of Agriculture, Jelgava; Estonian Agricultural University, Tartu; Kaliningrad State University, Centre of Social Ecology; School of Veterinary Medicine Hanover; Warsaw Agricultural University; Danish Veterinary Institute
Summary: To strengthen collaboration among countries bordering the Baltic Sea in environmental and ecosystem health and to work together to promote environmentally sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region in the context of European Union enlargement
Penitentiary Systems and Public Monitoring
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Civil Society Development Union, Yerevan (www.csdu.am)
Summary: To facilitate an exchange of information and experiences among NGO representatives, penitentiary authorities, international experts and human rights organizations about protecting human rights in penitentiaries
Enhancing Transparency and Accountability of Police Arrests
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Regional Facilitation and Negotiation Center, Iasi (www.rfnc.ro)
Summary: To promote capacity building of public institutions and police custody facilities to act according to principles of transparency and accountability and to introduce the independent custody visiting model in police arrests in Central and Eastern Europe to ensure appropriate treatment of persons in custody in accordance with the European Convention of Human Rights
Creating and Sustaining Safe and Strong Local Communities
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Lithuanian Department of International Police Association (IPA), Vilnius section (www.ipa.lt) in partnership with IPA Estonian Department Tallinn, IPA Latvian Department Riga, IPA Russian Federation Department Moscow, IPA Ukrainian Department Kyiv and IPA Poland Warsaw
Summary: To analyze theoretical and practical aspects of social legal work in the community and to present and develop models, means and tasks for cooperation of the local community and law enforcement institutions
Development Strategies for Environmental Education to European Standards
Soros Foundation: Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizer: ECOLIBRI-BIONET Agency for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, Belgrade in partnership with Borrowed Nature Association Bulgaria, Earth Friends Romania, Association for the European Dimension Albania and Biosfera Center for Education, Environment and Nature Protection Macedonia
Summary: To analyze national strategies, principles and standards of environmental education in educational systems in southeast Europe to establish methods and forms of common reforms and changes to be implemented in educational systems
The Hazards of Petroleum Wealth: Journalists Covering Resource Wealth
Organizers: Initiative for Policy Dialogue, New York and the Public Finance Monitoring Center, Baku
Summary: To support journalists, academics, economists, development experts and civil society to analyze challenges of resource wealth and experiences in other countries and to examine technical and macro/micro economic issues involved in resource wealth
Roma Mainstream Media: Intercultural Education and International Networking
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizer: Centers for Independent Journalism in Hungary, Slovakia and Romania, Budapest
Summary: To support young professionals in the Roma community in Central Europe to promote positive experiences of investing into education and professional development for minorities, specifically to engage decision makers in the European Union in dialogue about policies affecting minorities in Central Europe
Local Governments and Civic Organizations: Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Agency for Pre-Carpathian Development, Sambir, Lviv Region in partnership with local government and council Kostshyn, Poland; local government and council Osventsim, Poland; and, local government and council Snina, Slovakia
Summary: To support cooperation among partner cities Sambir, Osventsim, Kostshyn and Snina to increase civic engagement in democratic processes through establishing a local Hotline through which social and democratic questions and concerns may be addressed and to promote social and economic cross-border partnership
Developing Standards of Probation Service
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Summary: To support the introduction of probation supervision standards, manuals and codes of conduct for probation officers in Central Europe and to create a regional probation expert network and multi- and bilateral exchange
Open University: Critical Thinking Strategies
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Latvia
Organizer: School Support Center, Riga
Summary: To support exchange of knowledge and practical experiences in using a critical thinking framework and strategies in working with university students and to support collaborative work among students in analyzing professional development of teachers and students, school/university partnerships and university/NGO partnerships.
Equal Opportunities for Career Advancement
Soros Foundation: Open Estonia Foundation
Organizer: Junior Achievement Estonia, Tallinn in partnership with Junior Achievement Latvia, Junior Achievement Lithuania, Junior Achievement Russia, Yalaamse Jonge Ondernemingen Belgium, Young Enterprise Denmark, Porvoo Business College Finland, Ungt Entreprenorskap Norway, Young Enterprise UK Oxford, JA Ireland Dublin, Västra Götalandsregionen Regionen Hus Goteborg, Junior Unternehmen Koln and Stichting Mini-Ondernemingen Nederland
Summary: To support knowledgeable active citizens for social change, specifically in promoting equality of opportunity for men and women and people with social, economic and physical disadvantages and to raise public awareness to influence authorities to bring about changes to support equal opportunity for all
External Testing: Transparency and Objectivity of Examination Systems
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Testing Technologies Center Project of the International Renaissance Foundation
Summary: To support an exchange of experiences and best practices in conducting external testing and to disseminate models of transparency and objectivity in examination systems
Small and Medium Enterprise Support Policy: Why Policies (Don't) Work
Soros Foundation: Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia
Organizers: Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia and CEPOR, Zagreb
Summary: To analyze implemented or planned state policies that affect SME development in financial, fiscal, legislative, regulatory, institutional and social fields, to present new SME policy reviews by the South East Forum for Entrepreneurship and Development (SEE FEED) and to analyze and critique present policy approaches of the Ministry of Economy in Macedonia
Integration of Sustainable Development Indicators in National Planning Systems
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizer: Regional Public Association Network of Experts for Sustainable Development of Central Asia, Almaty
Summary: To contribute to strengthening governmental organizations and NGOs in monitoring sustainable development processes, to inform the public about sustainable development obligations under international treaties and to bring international expertise and best practices to influence national initiatives to promote sustainable development
Implementing Clean Up the World Campaigns as a Tool to Integrate and Mobilize Local Communities
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Association of Ukrainian Cities, Kyiv (www.auc.org.ua) in partnership with Our Earth Foundation, Warsaw (www.naszaziemia.pl) and the Lviv Branch of Association of Ukrainian Cities (www.cleanukr.org.ua)
Summary: To promote national Clean Up the World campaigns in the region through exchange of experiences among NGO leaders and to explore innovative approaches to these campaigns through a regional advocacy network
Reforms for Wildlife: Problems and Solutions of Conservation of Biological and Landscape Diversity
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizer: Resource Information-Analytical Center Wildlife Laboratory, Karaganda in partnership with Public Center for Conservation of Wildlife ARLAN, Karaganda and Center for coordination and information on environmental education EcoObraz, Karaganda
Summary: To formulate recommendations for legislation in CIS countries to protect rare and endangered species, to develop schemes of interaction between local communities and decision-makers and to promote public control and official accountability of wildlife protection
Increasing Access to Justice: Mediation for Resolving Conflicts
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Kazakstan
Organizer: Public Fund National Consumers' League of Kazakstan, Almaty
Summary: To support dialogue about international and local experiences in developing alternate, effective systems of negotiating/mediating conflict and to increase access to justice for the general public
Educational Publishing in Small Countries
Soros Foundation: Foundation Open Society Institute - Representative Office Montenegro
Organizer: Department for Publication of Textbooks and Teaching Aids, Podgorica
Summary: To examine the current situation in educational publishing in small countries, to identify factors which require specific solutions and approaches to the provision of educational materials
Youth and Social Renewal: Georgia and Russia
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizers: International Institute for Humanities and Political Studies (IGPI), Moscow region (www.igpi.ru) and Georgian Institute for Public Affairs (GIPA), Tbilisi
Summary: To support a series of exchanges for socially and politically active youth in managing ethnic conflicts and to explore new rules of behavior in conflict situations and new approaches to overcome ethnic conflict
Women s Role in Private Enterprise Development
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Kyiv Entrepreneur School in partnership with Kharkiv Women s City Fund, Innovative Business Incubator Bila Tserkva, Business Initiatives Public Center Ivano-Frankivsk, Business Development Center Interbis-Prim Charity Fund Simferopol and Center for Ukrainian Reform Education
Summary: To promote economic equality of men and women, especially in provincial regions, by consolidating the work of an initiative begun four years ago to train women in business skills, to outline achievements and failures of entrepreneurship in Ukraine compared with Eastern European countries and to devise strategies to overcome challenges faced by entrepreneurs
Regional Security and Role of Youth in Peace Building
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: Armenian Atlantic Association (AAA), Yerevan
Summary: To support young representatives of Atlantic Treaty Association NGOs and future policy-makers to engage in a dialogue about problems, priorities and opportunities of collaborative cross-border work and to advance the regional aims of the Youth Initiatives of Policy Research Institute in the South Caucasus by supporting a network of engaged young public policy researchers
I Vote For: Advocacy in NGO Practice
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: International Taxpayers Committee for the Protection of Taxpayers Rights, Kyiv in partnership with the Tax Standards Formation Fund, Kazakhstan, Estonian Taxpayers Association, Chamber of Tax Consultants Kyrgyzstan, Taxpayers Union of Georgia, Foundation for Representation of Taxpayers Rights and Interests in Latvia, Taxpayers Union Russia, Hungarian Taxpayers Association, Lithuanian Taxpayers Association, Slovak Taxpayers Association, Ukrainian Taxpayers Association and Taxpayers Association of Europe
Summary: To support the development of a practical methodology of advocacy tools for NGOs and to improve the skills of leaders who will use this methodology; to develop capacity-making partnership of leaders of NGOs with representatives of local authority and members of Parliament; and, to assist leaders of NGOs to understand and use the potential of their organizations through collaboration with like-minded organizations
State Policy to Prevent the Neglect of Children
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Armenia
Organizer: NGO Humanitarian Support Center New Armenia, Yerevan (www.newarmenia.org)
Summary: To support the creation of communication and action frameworks to prevent the neglect of children based on collaborative efforts of local and international organizations and state structures and to promote the adoption of laws to prevent the neglect of children by empowering children s advocates
Perceptions of European Integration: Ethnic Dimensions of Civic Life
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Department of Ethno-Sociology at the Institute for Social Research, Vilnius (www.sti.lt) in partnership with the House of National Communities, Vilnius
Summary: To promote cooperation and experience exchange among EU accession countries in consideration of ethnic minority protection, to promote public awareness and debates regarding involvement of all ethnic groups in processes of European integration and to develop recommendations for NGOs on enabling ethnic minorities to participate actively in the processes of European integration
Partnership for Improving Public Administration: Lithuania and Ukraine
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Lithuanian Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), Vilnius (www.livadis.lt) in partnership with the Institute of Continuous Training of Ukrainian Academy of Public Administration under the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Academy of Public Administration, Kyiv
Summary: To support a study visit to Lithuania of civil servants in Ukraine, specifically to gain firsthand experience about social policy of the EU and its impact in Lithuania, regional policy of the EU and its impact in Lithuanian regions and EU common agricultural policy and its consequences for the integration of Lithuanian agriculture
Civil Service Personnel Management
Soros Foundation: Kosova Foundation for Open Society
Organizers: Kosova Foundation for Open Society and Kosovo Civil Service Personnel Management Program in partnership with the University of Ljubljana, School of Public Administration
Summary: To support the professional development of impartial, accountable and ethical public service in Kosovo and to establish a sound regulatory and institutional framework for the management of the civil service in Kosovo
Community Development Network Building
Soros Foundation: Soros Foundation Hungary
Organizer: Hungarian Association for Community Development in partnership with Civil College Foundation Slovakia, Intercommunity Foundation Slovakia, VOKA Slovakia, Human Reform Foundation/SZEKE Regional Association for Community Development Romania, Romanian Association for Community Development and Local Activity Support Center/CAL Association Poland
Summary: To support an ongoing exchange of information and cooperation among community development organizations in Central Europe, to share experiences about the validity of community development in the region and to disseminate good practices and to enhance the professional skills of activists
Regulating Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Agro-Industry
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation for Albania
Organizers: Organic Agriculture Association Albania and Albanian Consumer Association in partnership with the Center for Rural Studies, Tirana
Summary: To support advocacy efforts to inform the public about the risks of introducing GMOs in Albania and to influence policy making by reinforcing the alternative of organic agriculture as an appropriate model of sustainable agricultural development
Models of Employment for People with Disabilities
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Agency for Supported Employment, Bratislava in partnership with the Hand in Hand Joining Forces for People with Disabilities Foundation Budapest, Rytmus Prague and Silesian Entrepreneurship Development Foundation Gliwice
Summary: To support a long-term initiative to promote supported employment as a policy tool in social care and to create conditions for offering services for supported employment
Women s Partnership Network: Possibilities for Self-Sufficiency
Soros Foundations: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: Ukrainian Women s Fund, Kyiv (www.uwf.kiev.ua)
Summary: To promote the viability of women s organizations which serve as active centers of local communities and to sustain long-term cooperation among organizations in this partnership network
Education Policies for Children of Migrant Workers and Refugees
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Lithuania
Organizer: Lithuanian Educational Center Philosophy for Children, Vilnius in partnership with the Ministry of the Education and Science of Lithuania, Vilnius (www.smm.lt)
Summary: To analyze achievements and problems in the implementation of the EU Directive on the education of children of migrant workers and refugees; to disseminate experiences in the education of the children of migrant workers and refugees; to provide teachers and future teachers with tools for teaching migrant and refugee children; to present innovations in the development of educational practices; and, to prepare recommendations for Ministries of Education on common standards, working methods and curriculum
Beyond the Borders: Models of International Cooperation among Non-Government Organizations
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizer: NGO European Dialogue, Lviv (www.dialog.lviv.ua) in partnership with Krzyzowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, Wroclaw (www.krzyzowa.org.pl) and St. Petersburg Regional Youth Charity Non-Government Organization Youth Information Center (www.youthcentre.ru)
Summary: To promote improvement in effectiveness of international cooperation among NGOs in Russia, Poland and Ukraine by exchanging experiences, developing new ideas and dissemination of contacts among representatives of non-government organizations coordinating international cooperation projects
Rare Animal Species Protection: Student and Community Engagement
Soros Foundation: International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: Kyiv Environmental and Cultural Center and Center for Wild Nature Protection, Moscow
Summary: To support environmental public organizations to involve local communities in protected area management and to explore new methods of environmental and biodiversity protection
Balkan Trans-Frontier Cooperation Forum
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizer: Timok Club, Knjazevac (www.balkancoalition.com) in partnership with the Center for Euroregional Democracy Timisoara, Information Business Center for Regional Development Belogradchik and the Macedonian Agency for Peace and Development Skopje
Summary: To support trans-frontier cooperation as a tool for regional development and integration in the western Balkans and to foster conditions of prosperity, security and peaceful co-existence among neighboring peoples and states
Models of Day Care Rehabilitation for Drug Addicts: Lessons Learned in Poland and Ukraine
2003-2004
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: MONAR Association, Warsaw (www.monar.org) and the Institute for Drug Addictions and Drug Related Crime, Kyiv
Summary: To support the design and introduction of community-based drug addiction treatment programs; to analyze how problems of drug addiction in prisons are resolved; and, to introduce prevention and therapeutic methods through training a core group of professional staff who are able to train other staff and volunteers in current methods and approaches of rehabilitation
Interactive Human Rights: Poland, Ukraine and Belarus
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Polish Association for Legal Education PSEP, Warsaw (www.psep.pl) in partnership with the Grodna Association of Young Intellectuals VIT and the All-Ukrainian Public Organization Democracy Development Center, Kyiv
Summary: To support the introduction in schools and pedagogical institutions in Ukraine and Belarus new, interactive methodologies of teaching young people human rights
Modern Information Technology in Municipal Administration: Azerbaijan and Estonia
2003-2004
Soros Foundations: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan and Open Estonia Foundation
Organizer: Organization of the of Specialists Educated Abroad Azerbaijan AKTAM (www.aktam.aznet.org) in partnership with Azerbaijan Friendship Society of Estonia, Tallinn
Summary: To promote effectiveness of municipalities in Azerbaijan by using modern information technology based on experiences in Estonia and to develop methodologies of distribution of information to the population about the legislative, normative and administrative acts adopted by the central and regional administrative bodies
Development of Youth in Small Local Communities in Belarus
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: St. Maximilian Kolbe House of Reconciliation and Meetings, Gdansk (www.dmk.pl) in partnership with the Youth Informational Center, Minsk
Summary: To engage teachers, youth organization leaders and local journalists in small towns of Belarus and to offer them experiences, knowledge and information about promoting, initiating, supporting and leading local youth initiatives and resolving community problems through youth initiatives
Should We Be Afraid of our Neighbors? The Majority and Minorities in History Textbooks
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Open Society Foundation Romania
Organizer: Center Education 2000+, Bucharest (www.cedu.ro) in partnership with World Citizen Education 2000 Educational Consulting Budapest and Center for Educational Initiatives, Sofia
Summary: To promote inter-ethnic dialogue between the majority and minorities in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria by analyzing practical ways in which teachers in each country look at controversial and sensitive issues of xenophobia, stereotypes and prejudices and to identify new ways to approach multi-perspectives in teaching history and trans-frontier relations
Eastern Borders Openness Monitoring Project
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizers: International Cooperation Program (formerly European Forum) of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw and the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Warsaw
Summary: To expand an initiative piloted in 2001 building on research into visa policies of new Eastern borders, to verify whether visa procedure is efficient and corresponds to official declarations of making visas easily accessible and to engage local organizations and think tanks in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia to monitor conditions of travel into European Union territory
What Are My Rights? How Can I Use Them?
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Education Society for Malopolska (MTO), Nowy Sacz (www.mto.org.pl) in partnership with Two Drinas Center, Kukes (www.dydrina.com); Emilian Stanev Foundation Sofia; Center for Primary Education CPE Prizren; Step by Step, Chisinau; Parents, for Pupils Kolasin; Together for Education Deva; and, School Bell, Subotica
Summary: To pilot an initiative to engage middle and high school students, parents and teachers in an independent analysis of laws and regulations and their impact on citizens
Civic Activity in Rural Communities
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Foundation in Support of Local Democracy, Training Center in Olsztyn (www.frdl.org.pl) in partnership with the Youth for Freedom of Speech Center, Kaliningrad
Summary: To promote equal chances for young people in villages and small cities to cooperate and develop partnerships internationally
Civil Society Initiation in Managing Migration Flow: Moldova and Czech Republic
2003-2004
Soros Foundations: Soros Foundation Moldova and Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic)
Organizers: State Department for Migration of Moldova, Women s Association of Juridical Careers in Moldova and Multicultural Center in Prague
Summary: To facilitate an exchange of experience among representatives of state institutions and NGOs in Moldova and the Czech Republic concerning migration flow management; to support improvement of the management of migration management in Moldova by informing experts in Moldova about activities and interaction of state institutions and NGOs in the Czech Republic; and, to analyze experiences in the Czech Republic of foreign labor force settlement and measures for preventing illegal labor migration
Student Councils/Schools of Democracy: Poland and Belarus
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Pedro Arrupe Formation Center for Educational Leaders, Gdynia (www.centrumarrupe.topnet.pl) in partnership with the Francysk Skaryna Belarusian Language Society, Minsk (www.htbm.org.by)
Summary: To mobilize student representative bodies to engage teachers and secondary school students, headmasters of schools, local authorities and leaders of youth associations to build the fundamental components of a democracy and citizen participation in Belarus
Coalitions of Community Development NGOs
2003-2004
Soros Foundations: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland) and International Renaissance Foundation (Ukraine)
Organizers: Regional Development Agency DONBASS, Donetsk (www.ard.dn.ua), Swietokrzyskie Center of the Foundation in Support of Local Democracy, Kielce (www.frdl.sky.pl), and the Center of Social Innovations (CSI), Minsk
Dialogue for Social Development: Russia and Poland
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Russia
Organizer: Chuvash Regional Center of Social and Economic Education Achievements of the Young in partnership with State Committee of the Chuvash Republic on Affairs of Youth Cheboksary, Association Jowisz, Walbrzych and Regional Center of Support of Non-Governmental Initiatives Walbrzych
Summary: To support the development of local models to overcome marginalization of young people in the Chuvash Republic by analyzing experiences in overcoming marginalization of youth in Poland and to engage positively young people in the Chuvash Republic and encourage ownership of their region s social development
Social Development and Development of Youth Leaders: Poland and Ukraine
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: School for Leaders Association, Warsaw (www.szkola-liderow.pl) in partnership with European Dialogue, Lviv (www.dialog.lviv.ua/ed/), Krosno Full of Life Association (www.krosno.xq.pl/ktz), Krosno City Hall, Jaslo Poviat Council and Krosno Poviat Council
Summary: To support an exchange of know-how in civic education programs for students in rural areas and small towns, to develop and promote youth projects which aim to make educational opportunities of children in rural areas equitable and to engage secondary school children in rural areas as a force for effective social development
Youth Networking: Slovakia and Belarus
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Open Society Fund Bratislava (Slovakia)
Organizer: Pontis Foundation Bratislava
Summary: To support a long-term initiative for youth leaders and NGOs in Belarus to increase the network of democratic structures and active young people in Belarus before parliamentary elections in 2004
Encouraging Social Engagement of Youth through Voluntary Service
2003-2004
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: Barka Foundation of Mutual Help, Regional Social and Educational Center, Chudobczyce (www.barka.org.pl) in partnership with the Foundation of Mutual Help Oselya, Lviv and the Lviv Center of Social Services for Youth
Summary: To support a pilot program designed to create a center of voluntary service for eastern Europe as a platform for cooperation among NGOs, local councils and institutions working to promote young people to be engaged in voluntary work
Attracting NGOs to Activate Youth in Elections
Soros Foundation: Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Azerbaijan
Organizer: Gazakh Resource Center for NGOs and Human Rights
2003-2004
Summary: To mobilize NGOs in the western regions of Azerbaijan to increase involvement in election processes by bringing other experiences to the regions of Azerbaijan and to promote widespread understanding of free, fair and democratic elections; in 2004, to support an exchange visit of young people from Azerbaijan to Lithuania to promote information sharing about practical examples of youth organizations activities and youth civic participation in Lithuania
Displaced Cultural Assets: Property Rights and Political Problems
2003-2005
Soros Foundation: Stefan Batory Foundation (Poland)
Organizer: International Cooperation Program (formerly European Forum) of the Stefan Batory Foundation, Warsaw
Summary: To elaborate solutions to problems of displaced cultural assets, de-politicization and taking political advantage of these issues, to formulate a collaborative opinion based on diverse experiences in Central Europe and to analyze implications of cultural assets as a consequence of shifting borders, e.g., on Polish-Ukrainian relations
Social Assistance Development without Borders: Models of Home Care
2003-2005
Soros Foundations: Open Society Fund Prague (Czech Republic) and Fund for an Open Society Serbia
Organizer: CARITAS Higher Professional School of Social Work, Olomouc (www.caritas-vos.cz) in partnership with CARITAS Czech Republic, Prague (www.charita.cz) and CARITAS of Serbia and Montenegro, Belgrade
Summary: To contribute to the development and sustainability of a network of home/day care centers in Serbia by providing practical experiences of visiting centers in the Czech Republic
Partners
Peace Institute, Slovenia
Women in Parliament: Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia
2001-2003
Organizers: Peace Institute, Slovenia and Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana
(www.ff.uni-lj.si/sociologija/default.htm)
Summary: To support a long-term initiative designed to propose more effective activities for women MPs on the basis of comparative analysis and to formulate educational materials for politicians, interest groups and civil organizations as tools to access policy formulation and work with MPs on policy issues
Ethics of Care in Social Policy
2002-2003
Organizers: Peace Institute, Slovenia and Institute for Contemporary Social and Political Studies, Slovenia
Summary: To launch a long-term initiative to develop the ethics of care perspective as a form of policy analysis, specifically to introduce and analyze concepts of the ethics of care, to analyze how these can be used in debates on citizenship and social policy and to train scholars working in this field in how to make policy analyses from the care perspective
School for Peace: Human Rights and Peace Education for Teachers
2002-2003
Organizer: EIP Slovenia/School for Peace, Limbus (www.eip-ass.si) in partnership with the Peace Institute, Slovenia
Summary: To support the creation of a documentation and resource center on human rights and peace education in Maribor which will be the first in Slovenia offering free access to documents, journals and methodology manuals to teachers and activists and to initiate the first virtual human rights and peace education library by consolidating activities of human rights activists in southeast Europe
Contemporary Citizenship: The Politics of Exclusion and Inclusion
2002-2003
Organizer: Peace Institute, Slovenia
Summary: To contribute to a long-term initiative which aims to situate the contemporary concept/s of citizenship in the context of transition societies and define their significance for political equality, participation and social cohesion; to analyze public policies for practices and mechanisms of exclusion based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, social class or some other identity; to examines sources of the politics of exclusion and identify conditions, courses and policy measures that could lead to changes in existing political and social practices
Public Policy and Think Tanks: Policy Process, Policy Cycle and Policy Communication
Organizer: Peace Institute, Slovenia
Summary: To strengthen knowledge of the policy process, the policy cycle and the process of policy communication to advance an open society agenda in southeast Europe through initiatives with policy impact
Participation Opportunities: Perspectives for Inclusion of Marginalized Groups
2003-2004
Organizers: Peace Institute, Institute for Contemporary Social and Political Studies, Ljubljana and Center for Information Service, Cooperation and Development of NGOs (CNVOS) Ljubljana (www.cnvos.si) in partnership with KUC-LL Lesbian Group Ljubljana (www.ljudmila.org/lesbo) and YHD Association for Handicapped Youth Ljubljana (www.ljudmila.org/yhd/)
Summary: To initiate a comparative analysis on human rights of migrants, same-sex oriented people and disabled people in European Union candidate countries, to present the results of this analysis in national parliaments and in the European Parliament and to integrate the results into policy papers/strategies for common actions of anti-discrimination NGOs for dialogue building with governments
Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation Turkey
Critical and Enlightened Approaches to History Education in Southeast Europe: Alternative Textbooks
2002-2003
Organizer: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul (www.sabanciuniv.edu)
Summary: To support three scholars/experts to participate in history textbook and teacher training reforms and to create and foster a cross-cultural learning space in southeast Europe
Sowing the Seeds of Participatory Democracy Across Borders
Organizer: Civic Involvement Projects: A Project for Participatory Democracy, Sabanci University, Istanbul
Summary: To support the expansion of the Civil Involvement Project methodologies of participatory democracy and community work to univeristy students in Central Asia and the Caucasus
Turkish-Greek Dialogue: Setting Problem Areas and Searching for Solutions
Organizers: Bogazici University, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Istanbul and Panteion University, Department of Political Science and History, Athens
Summary: To provide a communication platform for scholars to open avenues for research based on scholarly and rational understanding of finding solutions to conflict between Turkey and Greece
Civil Society to Combat Human Trafficking
Organizer: Human Resource Development Foundation, Istanbul
Summary: To initiate a long-term, trans-national initiative to combat sex trafficking by supporting study visits for project leaders in Turkey to engage like-minded organizations in Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia as Turkey receives sex workers mostly from these countries and these countries have active and effective NGOs working on these issues
Comparative Experiences in Criminal Procedure
Organizer: Istanbul Bar Association in partnership with the Association of the Bar of the City of New York
Summary: To promote the development and maintenance of cooperation and education of lawyers to foster and support open and cooperative professional cultures
Turkey and Greece: Transcending the Past and Embracing the Future
Organizer: Bilgi University, Istanbul
Summary: To support students, including Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, specializing in history and politics in Turkey and Greece, relations with the EU, construction of identities in media and multiculturalism and human rights
New Tactics in Human Rights: Regional Workshop for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East
Organizer: Helsinski Citizens Assembly Turkey
Summary: To support the expansion of this long-term initiative to include Middle Eastern and North African countries in this dialogue and analysis of new approaches to human rights advocacy
Southeast Europe Culture and Connection
Organizer: Istanbul Policy Center at Sabanci University
Summary: To support the creation of a platform for intellectual communities in southeast Europe by promoting cultural diversity of the region and connections among cultures as tools of conflict prevention