Programs

Freedom House's programs support human rights and democracy advocates in their efforts to promote open government, defend human rights, strengthen civil society and facilitate the free flow of information and ideas. Freedom House primarily offers assistance through trainings, international exchange programs, grant giving and networking activities. In addition, Freedom House offers symbolic and moral support through advocacy and visible demonstrations of solidarity on behalf of counterparts abroad, which can provide a measure of protection and may enhance their confidence to continue their activities.

Freedom House currently maintains ten offices around the world and conducts programs that assist human rights and democracy advocates in over two dozen countries in all regions of the world. Freedom House decides on where to work based on several factors, including an analysis of where freedom is under duress, a response to direct requests for assistance from men and women in countries where political rights and/or civil liberties are limited, and the availability of financial and staff resources to address the needs.

Primary funding for Freedom House’s programs comes in the form of grants from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor of the U.S. State Department. Additional funding for programs comes from private foundations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, and the National Endowment for Democracy; as well as from other governments and international bodies, including Australia, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the European Union, and the United Nations Democracy Fund. Freedom House never accepts funds in the form of contracts from government institutions, including the U.S., and never functions as an extension of any government.
 

Featured Programs

Eurasia

Countries in Eurasia range from among the best to the worst in the world in regards to the respect for human rights.  Most of the non-Baltic countries of the former Soviet Union rank at or near the

Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Americas

The Americas are second only to Western Europe in levels of freedom and the respect for human rights.  Nonetheless, a rise in violent crime and in populist governments with authoritarian tendencies

Regions: 
Americas

Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Traditionally the least Free region in the world, the Arab Spring has launched an era of sweeping political changes in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

Regions: 
Middle East and North Africa

Asia Pacific

Over the past five years, the Asia-Pacific region has been the only one to record steady gains in political rights and civil liberties as measured by Freedom House.

Regions: 
Asia-Pacific

Turkey

In Turkey, we help civil society and government leaders address challenges to citizen participation in the legislative process.

Issues: 
Democratic Governance
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Russia

We collaborate with Russia’s two most renowned human rights groups, Memorial and the Moscow Helsinki Group, to help end the increasingly common practice of government manipulation

Issues: 
Human Rights
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Russia - North Caucus

Freedom House’s American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus coordinates with an international network of activists, journalists, scholars and nongovernmental organizations to advo

Issues: 
Human Rights
Regions: 
Central and Eastern Europe/Eurasia

Bolivia

Civil society is witnessing increased restrictions for freedom of Association and Assembly.

Issues: 
Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Americas

Ecuador

In less than five years since taking office, President Rafael Correa has turned Ecuador into one of the more restrictive countries for freedom of expression in Latin America and taken steps to assault freedom of association.

Issues: 
Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Americas

Mexico

Mexico is among the most dangerous countries in the world to practice journalism.

Issues: 
Freedom of Expression
Regions: 
Americas

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