Open Society Foundation–Bratislava

The Open Society Foundation–Bratislava in 2006 focused on advancing freedom of information, challenging racism and xenophobia—particularly regarding local and national policies toward Slovakia’s substantial Roma population—increasing civil society participation in elections, promoting women’s rights, and advocating for more effective harm reduction policies.

The following briefs describe some of the foundation’s activities and achievements in 2006.

Freedom of Information “Enemy” Exposed

Slovakia’s former transportation minister, Pavol Prokopovič, was named the 2006 Enemy of Freedom of Information at an annual event supported by the foundation. Prokopovič won the title because he labeled a telecom privatization deal handled by his ministry as a “state secret” and refused to provide any public information about the deal during his four-year term. The new transportation minister announced at the end of 2006 that the contract would be available for public scrutiny.

Transparency Advocates Make Gains in Local Elections

The foundation-supported Center for Community Organizing conducted a monitoring project that increased transparency in the 2006 municipal elections. During the campaign, the center focused media attention on the fact that the city council was not making public documents like council meeting notes available to the public. The resulting public outcry brought more transparency to the campaign.

Support for Under-Recognized Women’s Groups

The Slovak-Czech Women’s Fund, founded by Soros foundations in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, began an initiative to develop services addressing violence against migrant and Roma women. The fund also targeted other areas often overlooked by donors, including the rights of sex workers and the development of Roma women leaders.

Roma Public Health Project Goes National

The foundation helped establish a new public health position based in all of Slovakia’s regional public health offices that will eventually employ 140 health workers in Roma communities. The position is the result of previous pilot projects between the foundation and the Ministry of Health. The health workers in these projects helped establish community health centers, which contributed to significant increases in child vaccination rates and decreases in viral infections in a number of Roma communities.