Arab Transitions

Focus Areas

The Open Society Foundations' experience in helping establish the principles and practices of open society around the world has taught us to defer to local knowledge and to appreciate the courage of those who have suffered under repressive, authoritarian rule for generations. The Foundations have always looked to people and organizations in a given country to lead the way in fostering change, and we are committed to helping Arab civil society have a meaningful role in the public sphere, by acting as watchdog over government.

The ongoing uprising in the Arab world provides the region with an unprecedented opportunity. The successful peaceful protests in both Tunisia and Egypt for dignity, freedom, and social justice have launched a new phase of deep democratic transition. The process will be a long and painful and those committed to open society principles must be dedicated and perseverant in order to maintain the momentum.

The approach of the Open Society Foundations is to respond to and reinforce Arab leadership in the transitions underway in the region. Its support is directed at the priorities identified and pursued by local organizations and thought leaders. In addition to expanding the reach of civil society, the Foundations will give priority in the coming period to newly organized groups that are often overlooked, to ensure their voices are heard, namely, those that are socially and geographically unprivileged.

The Foundations provide support to grantees within a framework of transparency, accountability, and noninterference in the programming of the organizations to ensure those on the ground determine the needs and priorities of their constituencies and maintain ownership over their work. Organizational good governance, capacity to undertake programs and relevance and accountability to constituencies are the only criteria that guide our decisions to provide support.