- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Strengthening Civic Space
- Grant Amount $100,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2003–December 31, 2004
- Location St. Petersburg, Russia
- Geographic Focus Russia, Russia
About this grant
Local government funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout Russia has created an opportunity for meaningful dialogue between both citizens and NGOs and elected representatives and civil servants. It has also created a place for public oversight of government. However, there is a critical need for effective public policy institutions that can connect citizen initiatives with NGO advocacy efforts, and further link these with public administration reforms and the establishment of new legal institutions.Multiyear funding will enable the Strategy Center to pursue objectives that include developing the institution of regional human rights ombudsmen; promoting local government budget transparency in Russian regions; improving the management of public housing and utilities in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region; and advocating for greater transparency and public participation in government policy development and decisionmaking in northwest Russia.The Strategy Center was established in 1993 to support civil society and rule of law institutions in Russia.