Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan

The Soros-Foundation Kazakhstan (SFK) is a non-governmental non-profit organization that works to promote democracy and the development of the civil society in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

SFK was established by the Open Society Institute in 1995, and has been a member of the international network of Open Society Foundations since, operating in more than 70 countries worldwide. Through its discretionary funding, the foundation holds an independent voice in Kazakhstan. SFK employees are experts with unique experiences in their own professional areas.

Since the onset of its activities in Kazakhstan, SFK has granted more than US$ 58 million to promote  open society development in this country. The funds allocated covered a whole range of areas from HIV/AIDS prevention programs to educational programs that promote debate, critical thinking and the learning of the English language.

Over the last 15 years many program areas have grown into independent organizations and become members of civil society in their  own right; The Educational Advice Center “Bilim-Central Asia” and the Educational Center “Step by Step” are examples.

Due to its flexibility, SFK is sensitive to all social needs andin 2004, as a part of the “Kazakhstan Revenue Watch” program, SFK became the first national foundation to monitor oil industry incomes in Kazakhstan.

The focus of its activities’ is defined by the Board Trustees of SFK, the foundation’s strategic authority. The Board has put together the country’s most respected specialists in sociology, political sciences, economics, law, journalism and culture.

Mission

The Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan works to advance partnerships with NGOs, Government and business for a more tolerant, active society and responsible transparent government.

Objectives

• To ensure fiscal management is transparent, accountable and participatory.
• To ensure that the laws protect human rights.
• To support active involvement in public discourse and to develop public tolerance.

Priorities

SFK operates within a bi-annual strategy framework.

Its priorities for 2010-2011 include:

• Ensuring responsible and transparent management of  extractive industry incomes for the benefit of the present and future generations of Kazakhstan (the Public Finance Transparency, and Law Reform programs).
• Promoting human and civil rights and liberties in modern Kazakhstan (the Law Reform, Youth and Media Support programs).
• Ensuring equal access to information and freedom of expression by promoting the principles of freedom of speech in this country (the Law Reform, Youth and Media Support programs).
• Encouraging active youth participation in the social life of the nation (the Youth and Media Support programs).

To achieve these objectives, SFK has taken on the role of a policy broker with a purpose to improve social policies in this country; the Foundation provides not only financial, but expert and technical support.

According to its new role SFK’s activities include the following:

• research activities, expert analysis and recommendations;
• support of individuals and organizations in the process of social policy formation and  implementation.

SFK complements its grant activities with:

• organizing round tables with the participation of civil society to discuss trending issues;
• publishing findings and recommendations at the national and international levels;
• connecting Kazakhstani experts with foreign partners, and
• by providing recommendations to the Government  to provide a better social policy.

Information for all applicants: SFK does not consider applications for the financing of individual medical treatments and/ or commercial projects.

If you want to receive information about competitions and announcements from the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan, please register by sending us an email to ac@soros.kz and include the name of your organization (or your current occupation), along with the contact person’s name and email address.

Dear journalists, to receive news feed related to Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan announcements and events, please, register by sending us an email message to press@soros.kz and include your full name, the name of your organization and email address.