The Human Rights and Governance Grants Program provides support to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) operating in the fields of human rights and governance in Europe and Central Asia. Under the supervision of OSI's Sub-Board for Law and Human Rights, the program manages grantmaking programs in the areas of human rights and government accountability. The program also takes an active role in identifying projects; in assisting supported organizations in their growth and institutionalization; in building networks among these groups; and in developing partnerships with other donors in this field.

In the area of human rights, the program supports national and international advocacy organizations promoting political and civil rights at local, national and regional levels. Priority is given to projects that address the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and those that have strong monitoring and legal advocacy components.

The Human Rights and Governance Grants Program administers grants to a number of institutions providing expertise to governments and contributing to national policy debates on a wide variety of economic and political issues with the goal of promoting effective and accountable governance. Funding decisions for these organizations are made by the OSI board, in consultation with OSI's executive management.

The Think Tank Fund, previously a part of the Human Rights and Governance Grants Program, has become a separate OSI program. For detailed information, see the Think Tank Fund website.

The Human Rights & Governance Grants Program's largest effort, the Accountability Initiative, provides ongoing funding to roughly 100 local and international organizations that increase government accountability and transparency to stem corruption and enhance government responsiveness to the public interest.

In 2006, the Think Tank Fund, another HRGGP program, extended its activities to promote inclusive policymaking on critical issues to Albania, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. It also launched the Open Society New Response Projects to support independent policy centers in eight Central European and Baltic countries to promote policy research and alternatives on issues critical to effective and accountable democratic governance.

Read more about the program’s activities and achievements in 2006.