The Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom in Central, East and Southeast Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia

Our office in SofiaThe major tasks of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in the region called Central, East and Southeast Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia (CEE/CA) are the promotion of democracy, a constitutional state, pluralism and a free-market economy. To achieve our goals, we apply the traditional means of political education, political counselling and dialogue such as conferences, workshops or study visits. FNF also uses unconventional methods such as theatre performances or informal discussion forums used when the political circumstances justifies it. Each year in the CEE/CA region, the Foundation organises some 600 meetings with several thousand participants.

In Eastern Europe, the Foundation successfully fostered the complex transformation process of former communist states to open market economies and pluralistic societies and their integration into European institutions. For that purpose, the Foundation’s support concentrated on national initiatives to implement human rights, to establish democratic and constitutional structures and to promote peacekeeping and conflict prevention. The Foundation’s support was based on the principles of strengthening a free civil society based on the ideal of liberty, a constitutional order and education.

In addition, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom fosters the establishment of democratic structures by promoting liberal political parties and groups. A close network of political parties, citizens' initiatives, human rights organisations, think tanks and scientific institutions forms the basis of the Foundation’s activities.

The Regional office for CEE/CA was established in Sofia in March 2007. The CEE/CA region has six sub-regions: Central Europe and the Baltic States, Southeast Europe, Western Balkans, Ukraine and Belarus, Russia and Central Asia and finally, the Southern Caucasus, with each subregion comprising several countries. At present, the Foundation’s regional office of CEE/CA has 40 representatives in 11 offices co-ordinating initiatives in 27 project countries.