- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $225,000
- Grant Period June 1, 2004–December 31, 2005
- Location Washington, DC, United States
- Geographic Focus Serbia
About this grant
The goal of Freedom House’s Responsibility for the Future project is to encourage reconciliation among the people of Serbia and Montenegro and their neighbors. The project works to build the leadership, management and organizational capacities of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civic initiatives that encourage responsibility for the past as a means of building a positive future for Serbia and Montenegro and the region.Funding will enable Freedom House to provide small grants, training and networking opportunities to NGOs that are promoting reconciliation in the region. Objectives include strengthening grassroots NGOs and civic initiatives working to build trust between ethnic communities; working with national NGOs to increase advocacy and public awareness regarding the importance of truth, justice and accountability for war crimes and human rights violations; and supporting local and national NGOs that are fostering regional and cross-border cooperation in order to build trust among ethnic communities.Recent accomplishments included bringing together a coalition of 12 NGOs in Serbia and Montenegro to discuss approaches to dealing with the past, exchange information and experiences, and develop joint projects; coordinating and funding participation of victims in war crimes trials and related press conferences; and awarding eight grants totaling more than $100,000.