Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation–Tajikistan seeks to advance regional cooperation, legal and electoral reform, human rights, education, health care, access to information, and economic development. It has supported activities to promote reform of the penitentiary system and a moratorium on the death penalty; defended the rights of Tajik workers in neighboring countries; raised awareness on human rights violations; initiated an anticorruption campaign; conducted regional trainings on violence against women; worked to establish needle exchange programs; and supported independent media.

Against a background of increased government hostility to civil society groups, the foundation has been a key supporter of nongovernmental organizations seeking to continue their work. Facing severe state regulations, a coalition of groups led by the foundation has worked to monitor government implementation of the law and call attention to abuses.

In the area of public health, the foundation’s advocacy helped foster a major breakthrough when the Tajik parliament adopted policies bringing Tajikistan up to international standards for patients’ rights and access to HIV prevention and treatment. It has also helped secure major international funding for drug demand reduction services around the country.

The foundation’s work to promote media independence and professionalism has led to the establishment the country’s first association of journalism teachers, which focuses on developing courses on journalism ethics, media management, and the relationship between law and journalism. In the area of education, the foundation’s advocacy efforts have resulted in a major reform of the university admissions system as well as increased government support for education for children with special needs.