![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
NATO Head on Georgia, Russia's Red Lines and Saakashvili
Treaty organisation will not allow Russia to influence accession.
Azerbaijan: Celebrating Women with Slaps and Kicks
State repression means that something as simple as a call for gender equality cannot be tolerated.
Kazakstan: The Power Behind the Throne
A surprise transition which may have been planned for a long time.
Nazarbayev Plans His Legacy
How will Kazakstan’s leader be remembered for his 30 years in power?
Nazarbayev Resigns, But This is Not Goodbye
The veteran leader is in no rush to give up real authority.
Explaining China in Kyrgyzstan
Event hears that investing in sinology is a national interest.
Azerbaijan Eases Rules – Only to Reimpose Them
Moves seen as tactic to calm international criticism.
Uzbek Gas in Short Supply
Despite country's huge energy resources, many citizens rely on coal and firewood in wintertime.
Georgia: Special Peace Prize Winner Announced
Winning article follows the struggles of an ethnically-mixed village.
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.