Kyrgyzstan

The purpose of the Youth Action Fund is to identify, inspire, and support small groups of dedicated young people who can mobilize and influence large numbers of their peers to promote open society ideals. The Open Society Institute created this fund as a flexible way to provide small grants and other support to encourage progressive, youth-driven initiatives that are aligned with OSI's mission.

Youth Action Fund Kyrgyzstan focuses on new youth participation, the rights of children and youth, health, girls and women's rights, media and technology and environmentalism.  Strong preference will be given to projects which engage youth from rural areas, belonging to minority groups and those who have few opportunities to participate.

Eligibility

• Applicants must currently reside in Kyrgyzstan.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 15-29.
• Youth may partner with a local NGO, but OSI will not accept proposals from NGOs on behalf of youth.

Grantmaking Priorities

While applications from anywhere in Kyrgyzstan are encouraged, YAF Kyrgyzstan targets the Ferghana Valley region as a high priority.  Cross-border activity may be supported, for example with youth groups from Tajikistan or Uzbekistan, but the primary focus is on projects that serve the local community.

Ineligible Projects

• Travel grants or fees for individuals to attend conferences, workshops, etc.
• Additional degrees, courses, or certificates for an individual
• Organizations or adults applying for grants on behalf of youth

To Apply

Fill out the online application at https://oas.soros.org/oas/. In addition to basic information (such as name, address), applicants will be asked to answer the following questions:

• What is your idea?
• How will you do it?
• What do you need?
• Who will it help?
• Is there anyone you want to work with?
• What is your budget?

Candidates will also be given the option to upload a separate application proposal, budget, CV, and letters of recommendation.

Deadline

The next round of applications is due on December 6, 2009.

Funding Decisions

Grant applications will be reviewed by staff at OSI-Budapest. In cases where minor changes are needed or any part of the application is unclear, applicants may be asked to resubmit.

Complete applications will be forwarded to a three-person panel made up of one representative from the applicant's home country, one representative of the OSI Youth Initiative, and one representative of OSI-Budapest. The panel must unanimously approve the grant for the candidate to receive funding. Proposals can be nominated for partial funding, in which case the panel will state items for funding.

Grants will not be renewable. However, successful projects may be eligible for additional funding through other initiatives of the Soros foundations network. It is expected that some of the projects may have an entrepreneurial component that could allow them to become self-sustaining.

Contact Information

Ulan Shaynov
Youth Program Director
Open Society Institute Kyrgyzstan
+996 312 66 34 75
ushabynov@soros.kg