OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION - TAJIKISTAN ББК – 74.00+74.200 (2 тоҷик) Ҳ – 71 УДК 371+37.15+379 (575.3) ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BRANCH OFFICE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF OPEN SOCIETY INSTITUTE – ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION IN TAJIKISTAN FOR 2018. Translator of English: Veronika Grushevskaya. Editor of English: Darragh Fingleton. Contents FOREWORD .................................................................................. 4 STRATEGIC BOARD ..................................................................... 8 EXPERT COMMITTEES ................................................................ 9 2018 PROGRESS IN FIGURES .................................................. 12 EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ................... 15 EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAM .......................................... 30 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ...................................................... 38 ARTS AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM PROGRAM ............................... 41 HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAM ...................................................... 60 ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND SERVICE, SUPPORTING MEDIA PROGRAM ............................................. 68 SUPPORT TO PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ................................................................................... 80 PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM ................................................... 100 ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM ............................... 110 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ..................................... 124 ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................... 132 FOREWORD Dear readers, We would like to present the regular annual report for 2018 of the branch of the International Organization “Open Society” Institute – Assistance Foundation in Tajikistan. The report presents detailed information about programs, projects and grants of the Foundation implemented in 2018. Firstly, on the behalf of the Board of the International Organization “Open Society Institute”- Assistance Foundation in Tajikistan, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all our partners and organizations, working in public, cultural, humanitarian, medical, educational, legislative and executive branches and sharing the ideas of open society. I would like to thank the staff of the Foundation for the fruitful work that demonstrated its high administrative and creative capacity. The last year has become another interesting year full of different events within the country and far beyond it. New and old challenges to open society continue to gain the momentum. Is an open society ready to confront populism, authoritarianism and extremism? Well, it is a difficult question that requires new approaches, comprehensive thinking and actions. Many activities implemented by us as the Foundation, help to involve and train those who truly believe that aspiration for development of open society and inclusiveness is an important factor for harmonious and competent development of open society. At the same time we see that many issues in Tajikistan require search for new approaches and solutions, including improving the level and quality of education, working with vulnerable groups, promoting social entrepreneurship, developing new directions in the arts and work, and protecting rights and freedoms. 4 Modern social processes in the world pose new challenges for organizations such as the "Open Society Institute", that from the very moment of its establishment, has steadily promoted the ideas of an open society where everyone has ability to express his/her independent views, gain access to information of interest to him/her, participate in solving social problems, receive quality education and medical care, where the opportunity to protect human rights is guaranteed. In 2018, the Foundation has continue implementation of the project on establishment of Guarantee Fund in Tajikistan that in cooperation with the microfinance institutions and local public organizations facilitates the access of vulnerable groups and returned or deported migrants to financial resources and required information for opening of its own business. The Fund supported the organizations which protect human rights as defined by the United Nations charter and adopted as a binding implementation by the Republic of Tajikistan as an integral part of its international commitments undertaken under the framework of the UN Commission Against Torture and the Universal Periodic Review. The human rights program worked with partner institutions on protection of the rights of journalists. Rating of the international organization “Reporters without Borders” ranked Tajikistan at 161st place out of 180 countries covered with regard to the guarantee to freedom of speech, which indicates on worsening of the situation with freedom of speech in a country. It is difficult for journalists to work in the country and they have to subject themselves to self-censorship. 5 In 2018, the program "Support to public finance management" funded by the UK Department for International Development, continued its work. In this area, the Foundation has carried out its activities in cooperation with the government agencies to increase access to budget information, which contributed to a better understanding and control of the public over the public finances. Education is a fundamental factor in the development of an open society. In this regard, the Foundation has been active in ensuring equal and fair access to higher education and educational services. The key idea of the Foundation’s educational programs provides for promotion of fairness, openness, transparency in the education system reforms. The Foundation’s scholarship program continued its active involvement in granting scholarships on a competitive basis in the area of civil society development (Open Society Foundation, USA), as well as scholarships for the civil society leaders (Open Society, USA). Public health program has implemented a number of projects aimed at ensuring inclusive approach and open access to health services for the most marginalized groups of population. The program "Culture and Art" supported a number of creative projects, which promote for the development of artistic expression through working with theaters in Tajikistan and public activists, who tried to express various social issues of concern to modern society through their works. 6 The Foundation continues its work on protection of human rights and promotion of open society values, since we consider this way will take us closely in our efforts to create prosperous, thriving and stable country with the educated young people living and working for the benefit of the country and with the developed social and economic institutions. Sincerely, Almaz Saifutdinov, Chair of the Board Open Society Institute – Assistance Foundation in the Republic of Tajikistan. May 2nd, 2019. 7 STRATEGIC BOARD Almaz Saifutdinov, Board Chair, Economic/Commercial Specialist at the United States Embassy in Tajikistan. Shakarbek Niyatbekov, Board member, National Program Officer for the Rule of Law Program of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan. Vafobek Barombekov, Board member (until May 31, 2018), Head of Sociology Department at Tajik National University Sarvinoz Barfieva, Board member (until May 31, 2018), independent consultant (ADB, CIF). Gulnora Razykova, Board member, Deputy director Feed the Future Health and Nutrition Activity Program as DCOP/USAID. Umed Kalandarov, Board member, Director of the ICNL branch in Tajikistan. Rustam Gulov, Board member, Specialist in New Media / Media Trainer at the Internews Network in Tajikistan. Еxecutive Director of the Foundation: Ilhom Abdulloev – PhD in Economics, the research fellow of the European Institute of Labor Economics and the corresponding member of the Academy of Engineering of the Republic of Tajikistan. 8 EXPERT COMMITTEES Expert Council of the Programs: “Early Childhood Development,” “Education Support,” “Scholarship Program” Khurshed Ziyoi – Director of the Education Development Institute named after Jami A, Academy of education of Tajikistan. Irina Karimova – Vice-president of the Academy of Education of Tajikistan. Zyniddin Muhtorov – Director of the Research center, Institute of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan. Umida Ergasheva – Director of the Public Organization “Hayot dar Oila”. Mahmud Toshmatov – Deputy Rector for educational work and education quality management, professor of the Technological University of Tajikistan. Farukh Sultonov – Lecturer at the Tajik State University of Commerce, Director of the Tajik-Norwegian Center for Sustainable Development. Expert Council of the Program: Human Rights Zamonov Zulfikor –Legal adviser, UNDP Project “Rule of Law and Access to Justice”. Gulshan Ashurbekova – Freelancer. Parviz Sattorov – Senior Associate, American Bar Association (ABA ROLI). Umed Kalandarov – Director, International Center for Non- Commercial Law (ICNL). Munira Akhmedova – CEO, Tajik Center for Social and Legal Support for Women and Adolescents “FEMIDA”. 9 Expert Council of the Program: “Art and Social Activity”. Parviz Umarov – Lawyer, UNHCRO Officer (Community Services Associate). Svetlana Muzofirshoeva – Theater expert, Teacher of the directing department, Tajik State Institute of Arts named after T. Tursunzade. Irina Karimova – Vice-president of the Academy of Education of the Republic of Tajikistan. Zebuniso Abdullaeva – Journalist, State Radio “Ovozi Tojik”. Zevarsho Makhmadov – Journalist,