![IWPR Ukraine Conference held in Kiev, October 6-7, 2017. IWPR Ukraine Conference held in Kiev, October 6-7, 2017.](https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_glossy+ret_img/https://iwpr.net/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/images/focus/Borderland-to-the-Steppes-01_1.jpg?h=dc7003cc)
Focus
Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes
Years active: 2017-2021
The Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes project supports democratisation and governance, human rights and independent media across 10 countries in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Moldova and Ukraine.
More specifically, the project is delivering three main pillars of work:
1. CAPACITY. The key focus of the project is strengthening the capacity of local reporters, as well as citizen journalists and civil society groups. This includes training, mentoring, and effective institutional advisory support on management and sustainability for selected local media organisations.
2. VOICE. The second pillar supports a wide range of multi-format content production in local languages, Russian and English, from diverse voices of independent reporters, as well as citizen journalists, civic activists and bloggers. This includes independent digital, print and broadcast media, social media, regional websites (including CABAR.asia), investigative reporting and documentary production. Themes of focus are democracy and governance, human rights and rule of law, including freedom of the media. A strong emphasis is made on tackling corruption, and amplifying groundbreaking content across the region, including across language barriers.
3. ENGAGEMENT. The third pillar engages civil society, media, public officials and the public directly in the issues raised through the project’s media outputs. This takes the form of public fora and private meetings, social media, outreach and advocacy campaigns, and through IWPR’s own structured networks.
Established in collaboration with and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the project directly supports Norwegian priorities and values, builds on long-standing Norwegian supported programming in the region, and expands on IWPR’s extensive local and regional networks of independent media and civic groups.
Latest from the project
Ukraine's Orthodox Crisis
Row over church’s independence could leave country more vulnerable to Russian influence.
Abkhazia's Confused Elections
Analysts say that controversial delay reflects a far deeper crisis.
Grievances Fuel Georgian Protests
Government concessions fail to quell ongoing demonstrations.
On the Ground With the Kazak Protestors
Human rights observer warns that the authorities ignore the demonstrators at their peril.
Bringing Kyrgyz and Uzbek Communities Together
Language and education could be key to improving relations.
Change for Kazakstan?
The authorities may not be able to ignore mass rallies which greeted presidential vote.
Teaching Georgian to Armenians
Russian remains a key means of communication despite official efforts to promote state language.
Uzbekistan: A Small Dose of Media Freedom
Previously-banned websites are unblocked, but experts still urge caution.
Who Helped Abduct Azerbaijani Journalist?
Azerbaijan and Georgia need to answer urgent questions about reporter’s kidnapping and imprisonment.
Established in collaboration with and funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the project directly supports Norwegian priorities and values, builds on long-standing Norwegian supported programming in the region, and expands on IWPR’s extensive local and regional networks of independent media and civic groups.