Programs

Freedom House's programs support human rights and democracy advocates in their efforts to promote open government, defend human rights, strengthen civil society and facilitate the free flow of information and ideas. Freedom House primarily offers assistance through trainings, international exchange programs, grant giving and networking activities. In addition, Freedom House offers symbolic and moral support through advocacy and visible demonstrations of solidarity on behalf of counterparts abroad.

Freedom House currently has ten offices and conducts programs in over two dozen countries in all regions of the world. Primary funding for Freedom House’s programs comes in the form of grants from USAID and U.S. State Department, as well as from other democratic governments—U.K., Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands—and from private foundations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, and the National Endowment for Democracy.
 

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Featured Programs

Ukraine

Freedom House works with the Institute for Mass Information (IMI) in Ukraine to improve coverage of corruption and to inject a public discussion about corruption and governance into local affairs through citizen journalists.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom, Rule of Law
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Kyrgyzstan

Freedom House enhances the capacity of local civil society groups to rapidly respond to human rights violations, to provide advocates with the skills to defend the right to freedom of assembly, and to equip local groups with the tools to combat gender-based violence and bride-kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

The Lifeline: Embattled CSO Assistance Fund

The Lifeline Embattled CSO Assistance Fund provides emergency financial assistance to civil society organizations (CSOs) under threat or attack and advocacy support responding to broader threats to civil society. 

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program

The Dignity for All: LGBTI Assistance Program provides emergency funds, advocacy support, and security assistance to human rights defenders and civil society organizations under threat or attack due to their work for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) human rights.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Emergency Assistance Programs

Freedom House administers several funds which offer emergency assistance to organizations and individuals around the world who are under threat because of their human rights work. The targeted, rapid-response aid we provide enables those at risk to protect themselves and continue their important work.

Issues: 
Civil Society, Human Rights Defense, LGBTI Rights
Regions: 
Americas, Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Europe

Freedom of Expression Mission to South Africa

In September 2012, Freedom House led an International Freedom of Expression Mission to South Africa in order to address ongoing concerns about the passage of the repressive Protection of State Information Bill and the implementation of a government-controlled Media Appeals Tribunal. T

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression, Media Freedom
Regions: 
Sub-Saharan Africa

Advocating for Free Expression in Tunisia

 

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Internet Freedom

Freedom House supports human rights and civil society organizations and activists in mitigating the risks of digital attacks.

Issues: 
Internet Freedom
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Syria

Freedom House works with Syrian political activists to build their capacity for non-violent struggle, strategy development, effective advocacy, and safe and secure communications skills.

Issues: 
Human Rights Defense
Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Turkey

In Turkey, we help civil society and government leaders address challenges to citizen participation in the legislative process through hands-on fellowship experiences.

Issues: 
Democratic Governance
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

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