Civil Society Programs

     Mass Media
     OSI media programs have focused on training for the electronic media, mainly through grants and other programs run in co-operation with Internews Azerbaijan. This partnership with Internews was formed because the foundation felt it could make the quickest impact on society through the electronic media. The foundation's programs with Internews has had two focuses: one was on equipment and training program to develop a national electronic news network, the other was on training for regional station managers, advertising staff, cameramen and editing staff.

     East-East Program
     The East East Program is a cross-border partnership program which promotes cooperation in identifying regional and global experiences, expertise and best practices in social innovation. The program provides opportunities to share experiences in resolving urgent social questions of development, promoting social innovation and activism, and influencing local and regional development.

     Arts and Culture
     The mission of the Arts & Culture program is to create favorable conditions for the development and sustainability of an Arts & Culture (A&C) community in Azerbaijan and transform it into one of the driving forces of civil society.

     Medical Programs
     The Open Society Institute-Azerbaijan began its medical programs in 1998 with the following goals: to improve public health care in Azerbaijan through the promotion of doctor educational programs, and to give the opportunity for Doctors' participation in international seminars. In addition, the program sets out to equip hospitals with proper medical technology, to provide medical projects with grant support, and to provide information flow to the medical community.

     Women's programs
     Developed through a broad participatory process, the Women's Program promotes the advancement of women's rights in Azerbaijan. The program areas of concern include human rights, education, trafficking of women, violence against women, and gender integration. The purpose of the Women's Program of the Soros Network is to promote the advancement of women's human rights, equality and empowerment as an integral part of the process of democratization. The program serves as a resource, partner and consultant body for OSI-Azerbaijan.

     Law and Criminal Justice
     In developing law programs, OSI-Azerbaijan keeps the following goals in mind: promote legal reform, support development of democratic institutions and civil society, promote respect for and protection of human rights, and promote dissemination of legal information.

     Travel Grants Program
     The Travel Grants program is aimed at encouraging information and experience exchange through providing academics, researchers, and students with opportunities to participate in various events. The priority of these grants is given to those who have not had the opportunity to go abroad and participate in international events.