Promoting and developing a civil society, international cooperation

Program supporting non-profit organizations promoting public interest

Contact Person: Zdenka Almerová, zdenka.almerova@osf.cz

The Open Society Fund Prague has for years provided financial assistance to organizations that monitor the observance of democracy in state administration, the protection and promotion of public interest, and rule of law. Such watchdog or advocacy organizations receive financial support, mostly for several years, contributing to the development of the organization and its projects.

Like anti-corruption organizations, the organizations promoting public interest have very little opportunity to obtain funds for their activities, even though they are crucial for the development of democracy, effective rule of law and observance of justice. Clearly, what they do is often similar to or complements the work of anti-corruption non-profit organizations.

The OSF Prague supports organizations monitoring the rule of law in the public administration, proposing measures when democratic principles are not observed by the state administration, or seeking redress in courts. Also, they assist in the development of relevant legislation.

Those NGOs that receive funds from the program are an essential counterbalance and watchdog of democracy, playing a vital role in the development of a healthy democracy.
Contributions are given to organizations for several years so that they may develop their capacity, obtain opportunities and draw the attention of others who may become potential donors for the organization.

The Program's Partners

  • Environmental Law Service
  • The Human Rights League
  • Transparency International CR
  • Open Society (Otevřená společnost, o.p.s.)
  • Counselling Centre for Citizenship, Civil and Human Rights
  • Nesehnutí, an independent social-ecological movement


The OSF Prague is fully aware of the social role played by organizations involved in the effective protection of public interest and addressing serious cases where the rule of law is breached by the state administration, finding new issues and areas, proposing solutions and seeking to build a constructive dialogue with the public administration; at the same time the OSF is one of the few Czech foundations which provide long-term assistance to such projects, and it is expected that such active assistance will continue in the future.