2006 About the International Renaissance Foundation An open society is a society based on the recognition of the fact that no one has a monopoly on the truth, that diff erent people have diff erent views and interests, that good arguments should be heard by society and that there is a need for institutions open to striving toward perfection, defending the rights of all peo- ple and giving them a chance to live together in peace and accord. Th e term “open society” was introduced by the philosopher Karl Popper in his book “Th e Open Society and Its Enemies” published in 1945. Th e main traits of an open society include the rule of law, a democratically elected government, institutions of civil society and protection of minority rights. Th e International Renaissance Foundation (IRF) has been active since 1990. It is an integral part of the Open Society In- stitute foundation network established by George Soros and incorporates national and regional foundations in more than thirty countries around the world, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and in the former Soviet Union. Th e Founda- tion sees its mission in the fi nancial and institutional promotion of the building of an open democratic society in Ukraine by supporting civil initiatives vital for its development. Th e funds operated by IRF are mainly granted by its founder George Soros. Th e Foundation also relies on international donors and various Ukrainian and foreign organizations and individuals. Both the transparency of the Foundation’s spon- sorship and charitable activities and an understanding of its importance contribute to funds granted by IRF for building an open, democratic society being distributed by the society’s members represented in IRF’s Executive Board and Program Boards themselves. Th e Foundation’s Board is the main public body of IRF that shapes the whole organizational strategy. Th e Foundation’s pri- orities are determined by the Executive Board and Program Boards, whose members include prominent Ukrainian public fi gures, experts in the sectors where IRF is active. IRF distributes the overwhelming majority of its grants among non-governmental organizations after public competitions for projects pursuing the program priorities set by leading representatives of local civil society. In addition to off ering grants to other organizations, institutions and establishments, IRF also pursues its own (operational) activities, implementing projects in its target sectors that are also selected by public representatives. Programs are funded from the IRF budget following proposals from the Executive Board and Program Boards. IRF continuously informs the public about its programs and competitions in media publications, at press conferences and presentations, via the Internet, etc. In 2006, IRF allocated more than 6 million US dollars to projects (excluding so-called “carry-over” funds, i.e., continued funding of projects initiated in previous years) promoting European integration, the development of a civil society and its control of the authorities, a public system of human rights and the establishment of the rule of law in Ukraine, judicial and penal reforms, public activity of national minorities and tolerance in inter-ethnic relations, reforms in the education and public health sectors, the publication of translations of the world’s classics and advanced public thought, the development of the Ukrainian publishing business, fair and honest conducting of elections, etc. Th roughout the period of its activity, the Foundation has off ered grants to various Ukrainian non-governmental organiza- tions (NGOs), scientifi c research and educational institutions and publishing houses totaling over USD 95 million. 2 Introduction In 2006, the International Renaissance Foundation contributed to the institutional establishment of the experience of democracy, freedom of speech, expression and the protection of human rights. During the 2006 parliamentary elections, IRF traditionally supported public initiatives pursuing an honest and fair manifestation of the popular will. Th ose included a national exit poll, monitoring and independent coverage of the election campaign in mass media. Meanwhile, an amendment to Ukraine’s Constitution, resulting in the proportional election of the Verkhovna Rada and regional, district and city district councils created a qualitatively new situation. IRF was among the initiators and promoters of the public campaign “Conscious Choice 2006”, intended not only to inform the citizens about the programs of the political parties and blocs taking part in the elections, but also to analyze political forces’ approach to solving the most urgent social problems, familiarize the public with previous and new promises of candidates. Th e campaign saw civil society’s fi rst attempt to combine monitoring with continuous analysis of the state policy and assessment of draft resolutions submitted to parliament and the government for consideration. In 2006, the Renaissance Foundation continued fi nancial and expert support for public human rights organizations, contributed to the democratization of the judiciary system and the reformation of the penal system. Jointly with Th e Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, IRF has promoted the establishment and operation of legal clinics acting as structural units of higher educational establishments since 2001. Th e main goal of those practical training centers was to render legal assistance to the poor and to train lawyers. As of the end of 2006, there were 35 legal clinics (24 in 2004) in 21 regions (17 in 2004). In the course of a year, one legal clinic reviews the cases of 300-400 individuals. On December 12, 2006, representatives of legal clinics set up the International Charitable Foundation of Legal Clinics of Ukraine. Its main goal lies in the promotion, support and coordination of the legal clinic program in Ukraine. In the domain of the rule of law, the International Renaissance Foundation concentrates on the creation of an integral and eff ective system of legal assistance meeting modern European standards. In cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the Union of Lawyers of Ukraine, the Association of Lawyers of Ukraine, the National Commission for Strengthening Democracy and Establishing Rule of Law under the President of Ukraine (established with the IRF assistance), it worked out the concept of the formation of a system of free legal assistance, approved by the President of Ukraine’s Decree on June 9, 2006. A pilot project of legal assistance in criminal cases was started in Kharkiv. Th e lawyers involved in the project render legal aid day and night to all detained people who cannot aff ord a paid lawyer. Th e project grants the right to legal assistance to every person that requires such assistance from the moment of detention. In 2007, similar projects will be launched in other regions of Ukraine. In particular, in the second half of January, an offi ce will open up in Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv Region. Financial and expert assistance with the project’s implementation and the reform’s promotion is provided by the International Renaissance Foundation, the Open Society Justice Initiative (Budapest), and Th e Viktor Pinchuk Foundation. Among its most eff ective initiatives in the development of civil society – the prevention and fi ghting of corruption – the International Renaissance Foundation supports a network of public organizations that continuously monitors the publicity of bodies of state power, by making public inquiries and applications to offi cials on human rights issues of public interest, contesting unlawful refusal of information in court, etc. In particular, on the basis of the “Maidan” Alliance members’ NGO, a network of regional bureaus for the monitoring, protection and lobbying of public interests was set up in 12 regions of Ukraine. It worked in the following areas: equal access to quality medical care, reform of the housing and utilities sector, social orphanages, transparency of the authorities and their readiness for a public dialogue, equal access to justice. Th e supported project “First Step towards Housing and Utilities Sector Reform” involved monitoring inquiries to suppliers of housing and utility services, as well as authorities and local self-governing bodies, into the procedure of setting tariff s and their structure (i.e. heating, water, maintenance of houses and adjacent territories). It also involved the analysis of the regulatory framework by which tariff s are set and an independent expert examination of the existing standard rates. Guaranteeing the publicity and accountability of the authorities has always been among the key priorities of IRF. Th at is why in 2006 the Foundation jointly with the Executive Committee of the Vinnytsya City Council initiated a pilot project of electronic governance intended to test the new model and the practice of governance in conditions of publicity and applied advanced information technologies. Th e Foundation also contributed to the independent analysis of local budgets’ implementation and competition being maintained by local self-governing bodies at the conclusion of contracts. 3 In 2006, the Renaissance Foundation continuously furthered public initiatives promoting Ukraine’s European integration and awareness of it (through information and educational events, planning and organization of training courses for civil servants, judges and journalists, development of European studies at schools and universities, creation of TV and radio programs). At the