The Open Society Institute's initiatives address specific issue areas on a regional or network-wide basis. Many of them are implemented in cooperation with Soros foundations in various countries. For a list of initiatives that have been closed down or are no longer affiliated with OSI, view the Past and Spin-Off Initiatives section.
AfriMAP (The Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project) was established in 2004 to monitor the compliance of member states of the African Union with selected standards of good governance, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. more
The Arts and Culture Program promotes cultural and artistic collaboration throughout the Soros foundations network; fosters structural changes in cultural policy; and helps develop an autonomous and innovative arts sector. more
The Burma Project/Southeast Asia Initiative focuses on open society issues throughout the region, particularly in Burma but also in other countries where essential freedoms are threatened or non-existent. more
The Central Eurasia Project strives to enhance policy debate on key issues affecting Central Asia and the South Caucasus as well as several countries in the Middle East and North Africa. more
The Children and Youth Programs bring innovative approaches to existing social and educational structures that have an impact on the welfare and development of children and adolescents in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. more
Community Fellowships are awarded to individuals who wish to employ their educational and professional attainments in service to disadvantaged communities in the New York City and Baltimore, Maryland areas. more
The Documentary Photography Project seeks to support photographers through grants for production, training, and distribution. more
The East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders supports the exchange of people and ideas to transcend national borders and create partnerships that strengthen open society. more
The Economic and Business Development Program assists Soros foundations in promoting the restructuring of transitional economies, focusing on building viable market economies and creating new jobs. more
The Education Support Program works to facilitate change in education and national policy development in Central and Eastern Europe, South East Europe, former Soviet Union and Mongolia. more
English Language Programs work at the national level, focusing on teaching English for effective international communication. more
EUMAP (the EU Monitoring and Advocacy Program) monitors the development of selected human rights and rule of law issues in both the European Union and in its candidate and potential candidate countries. more
The Human Rights and Governance Grants Program provides support to nongovernmental organizations operating in the fields of human rights and governance in Europe and Central Asia. more
The Information Program promotes the equitable deployment of knowledge and communications resources for civic empowerment and effective democratic governance. more
The International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD), a part of OSI's Public Health Programs, focuses on diminishing the individual and social harms associated with drug use—particularly the risk of HIV infection—through innovative measures based on the philosophy of harm reduction. more
The International Higher Education Support Program (HESP) promotes the advancement of higher education within the humanities and social sciences in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia. more
The International Policy Fellowships Program identifies and supports research by open society leaders in countries throughout the Soros foundations network. more
The Latin America Program works throughout the region to create more open societies, enhance human rights protections, and encourage the implementation of economic and political policies firmly rooted in democracy. more
The Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative promotes effective democratic government in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Mongolia. more
The Media Program assists in the development and establishment of media systems marked by freedom, pluralism, and the inclusion of minority voices and opinions. more
The Medicine as a Profession initiative (MAP) seeks to invigorate the principles of professionalism in medicine to advance trust, quality, and integrity in the United States. more
The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the Open Society Institute, promotes rights-based law reform, builds knowledge and strengthens legal capacity worldwide. more
The Open Society Mental Health Initiative, part of OSI’s Public Health Programs, supports initiatives that seek to address the massive over- institutionalization, the lack of community-based services, and the general exclusion from society of people with intellectual disabilities and/or mental health problems throughout Central and Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union. more
OSI-Baltimore seeks to foster debate, empower marginalized groups to help shape and monitor public policy, and strengthen communities and families in the Baltimore, Maryland area through the development of fair, rational, and responsive public systems. more
OSI-Washington, D.C. focuses on civil liberties in the United States as well as other domestic and international policy issues, including globalization, criminal justice reform, human rights, and women's rights. more
Public Health Programs support initiatives throughout the Soros foundations network that encourage sustainable change in public health policy and practice. more
Roma Programs focus primarily on improving the social, political, and economic situation of Romani populations in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans region. more
Scholarship Programs mobilize students and scholars by providing support for fellowships, scholarships, and related activities that empower individuals throughout the world to improve the social, political, and intellectual environments of their home communities. more
The U.S. Justice Fund is the cornerstone of OSI's strong commitment to reducing the excessive reliance on punishment and incarceration in the United States, and to promoting fair and equal treatment in all aspects of the U.S. criminal justice system. more
The Network Women’s Program works to promote the advancement of women’s human rights, gender equality, and empowerment as an integral part of the process of democratization. more
OSI's Youth Initiatives aim to develop the analytical, research, and self-expression skills that young people need to think critically about their world and to engage actively in U.S. society. more