The international network Open Society Foundations, of which the Czech branch was a part until 2012, was founded in Eastern and Central Europe by the American investor and philanthropist George Soros.  The primary goal of the organization was to kick-start democratic principles in post-communist countries and contribute to the development of a free society. 

In the non-profit sector, the foundation brought to the Czech Republic concepts that had worked elsewhere but due to the 40 years of the Communist era were unknown in the Czech Republic.  Thus we stood at the birth of palliative care and medicine in the Czech Republic, the concept of volunteering and information sources for the non-profit sector and donors.  We have made it possible for professionals, doctors or company managers to study and work abroad.

Our work has consisted of searching for good ideas and subsequently investing in their development.   In the first few years we supported the One World festival or the pilot projects of the People in Need organization focused on field social work in socially excluded areas, as well as the organisations Transparency International, Oživení, Ekologický právní servis (today Frank Bold), Liga lidských práv (League of Human Rights) or Fórum 50 %.

After the Czech Republic accession to the European Union, we expanded our activities to support quality education accessible to all children without distinction and to the recognition of high-quality journalistic work.  We promote the concept of the state as a transparent and efficient service to citizens.

George Soros’s support ended in 2012 and we left the Open Society Foundations network.  There are countries all over the world in more need of help than we are.  We became a completely independent foundation and since 2012 we have been seeking funding for our further operation ourselves.  With diversified resources, we keep on advocating democratic values, driving positive changes and promoting open society in the Czech Republic.  We also play the role of innovators and supporters of active people who influence events both in their immediate surroundings and their country. 

Everything we do and have achieved has been in cooperation with our partners and organisations which want to improve the lives of people around them and cultivate civil society.

If you’d like to help us in this, please contact our fundraising department.