Open Society New Response Projects

Paying for Representation: How Can Society Best Benefit from Public Financing of Political Parties?
2006-2007

With less than 5% of the population being a member of any political party, the democratic system faces serious challenge by non-representative political parties. PROVIDUS explored models of increasing the representation of political parties elsewhere and thus aiming to improve the credibility and representation of political parties in Latvia.

Shrinking Citizenship: A Challenge to Civil Society and Public Participation
2007-2008

The grantee monitors the discrimination and hatred discourse against minorities (of any kind) in the Latvian parliament and printed media with national coverage. Based on the findings within the first year of implementation, the Ethical Committee of Latvian Parliament has already initiated analysis of the hatred speech and violations by different MPs. One possible result is reinforcement of the Code of Conduct in the parliament and disciplinary measures for the most intolerant MPs.

The Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS is a leading think tank in Latvia, established in 2002. Its mission is to facilitate comprehensive policy change in areas important for Latvia's development. The main thematic areas of activity and research are: good governance and anticorruption policy, criminal justice, education and tolerance, and European policy. PROVIDUS activities include: publishing research and policy analyses, providing expertise to the government in the policy-making process, advocacy and monitoring, consultancy services and training as well as promoting public participation in the policy process. PROVIDUS also provides an institutional home for the largest online policy resource in Latvia at www.politika.lv.

Latvia |  3 years |  www.providus.lv