Grant Guidelines

The Open Society Central Eurasia Project uses grantmaking to international and regional NGOs, academic institutions, think tanks and other structures to support their work, help build local capacity, bring international expertise to bear on the region and promote cooperation between local activists and international civic movements. The ultimate goal of such activity is to strengthen civic leaders in the region and to construct support networks for them within international structures and movements. The Central Eurasia Project’s grantmaking generally dovetails with its research and advocacy agenda. 

The Central Eurasia Project does not limit the amount that can be requested in a grant application and both single and multi-year proposals are accepted. Projects are encouraged to demonstrate funding from multiple sources. With the exception of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the Central Eurasia Project only funds proposals with activity in two or more countries in the region.  While applications are considered from organizations worldwide, priority is given to groups based in the region.

In 2012, the Central Eurasia Project funds are available in the following programmatic areas:

• Human Rights
• Labor Migration
• Transparency and Consumer Protection
• Transparency of Western Military and Security Cooperation
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Ineligible Activities

The Central Eurasia Project does not fund activities outside the above-mentioned programmatic areas or geographic scope and only funds projects that are of a regional nature. With the exception of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the Central Eurasia Project will not consider proposals for projects implemented in a single country and benefiting solely the population of that country. Such project proposals should be addressed to the local foundations in the respective countries.

The Open Society Foundations are prohibited from funding any electioneering, including the support for or, opposition to, political candidates or parties, and from the earmarking of grant funds for lobbying activities in any country. Lobbying is defined as an attempt to influence federal, state, local legislative bodies, or the outcome of referenda and ballot initiatives. This proscription includes attempts to influence treaty ratification by legislative bodies. The prohibition against lobbying includes, but may not necessarily be limited to, communications with legislators or legislative staff that express a view on pending legislation or specific legislative proposals, and communications with the general public reflecting a view on specific legislation or a specific legislative proposal where such communication includes a “call to take action” by the public.

If you question whether your project includes lobbying, please contact us.

To Apply

If you believe that your project meets the above-mentioned criteria, the Central Eurasia Project invites you to submit a one-page letter of inquiry in English summarizing your organization's mission and the proposed project's statement of purpose, main activities and requested budget.  Letters of inquiry will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.  Letters of inquiry may be submitted in Russian provided that they are accompanied by an English translation.

Upon reception of your letter of inquiry, the Central Eurasia Project will consider your proposed project. Should the proposal meet the Central Eurasia Project’s criteria you will be invited you to submit a full grant application within six weeks of receiving your letter of inquiry. Full applications will be accepted in either English or Russian.  When submitting your application, anticipate a project start date 4-6 months from date of submission, if approved.

Please send your letter of inquiry via email to cepgrants@sorosny.org.  When submitting your letter of inquiry, please put your organization name in the email subject line.