The Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan

The Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan (SFK) - an international non-governmental private foundation - aims to create conditions in the Kyrgyz Republic for an open society by supporting the development of public institutions and initiatives in all spheres of public life. An open society means: freedom and diversity of opinion in all spheres of life, the development of the rule of law and the opportunity for all members of society to participate equally in development. 

The Foundation was set up by the Open Society Institute (Open Society Institute), headed by George Soros, the global financier and world-renowned philanthropist. The Foundation is part of an international network, which includes the national Soros foundations in 31 countries and two regional foundations covering its activities in another 27 countries. 

The Foundation began its work in the country in 1993 and was officially registered with the Ministry of Justice of the KR in late 1995. Since then, the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan has consistently continued to support civic initiatives in various areas such as legal, educational and economic reforms, media support, NGOs and academia and promoting initiatives in the area of public policy, health and culture. To finance these initiatives SFK has awarded more than USD 60 million in non-repayable grants.  

The work of the Foundation is governed by the strategic decisions and recommendations of the SFK Advisory Board and the Open Society Institute and is conducted in close cooperation with partners from government institutions, NGOs and international organizations. 

Program priorities, goals and strategies:

Currently, the Foundation is working in nine major areas: legal and educational reform, media support, public health, youth, budget transparency, information sphere, public administration and the international cooperation programs of the East-East: Partnership without Borders. 

Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan Management Structure (2010-2011)

Choosing projects for funding 

The Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan supports projects that meet the following criteria:

• the project has the prospect of getting significant results within a foreseeable period of time; 
• the project has a novelty value, which distinguishes it from other organizations; 
• the project promotes the development of the capacity of local organizations and groups are able to continue their activities after funding ceases; 
• results obtained in the course of the project, can be used in other regions of the country; 
• the project involves evaluation and dissemination of the expected results; 
• sufficient safeguards exist to ensure the success and continued implementation of the project by the project partners (Government, NGOs); 
• it is a priority project compared to other similar projects; 
• the most suitable place has been chosen for project activities; 
• strategic plan (strategic litigation, educating the public, training, monitoring and advocacy to address violations of rights) is the most effective way of achieving the desired results; 
• there is a good quality, rational, management control system for the project.