Soros Foundation - Moldova

The Soros Foundation-Moldova is a non-governmental, not-for-profit and non-political organization, which was established in 1992 by the financier and the philanthropist George Soros to promote the development of an open society in Moldova by developing and implementing a range of programs and activities that address specific areas of needs including media, justice and human rights, good governance, and public health.

The Soros Foundation-Moldova works in its priority areas through grant and operational programs. The thematic departments are launched at the decision of the Soros Foundation Board and represent the recognition of a field where the Foundation can contribute through technical assistance, consulting, training, or financing for specific projects. Departments are run over several years or a period necessary for improvement of the problematic situation. Each department proposes for one year a range of concrete activities, asking the National Board for a budget.

The decision-making process has several levels: projects coming within a department are reviewed in certain cases by experts; projects recommended by them are presented for review and financing to the department boards. In 2017, there are four specialized thematic boards: Media, Justice and Human Rights, Public Health, and Good Governance. Projects with a budget that doesn't exceed $50,000 are reviewed by the department boards. Projects with a budget that exceeds $50,000 are reviewed at first by the specialized boards and then by the Soros Foundation National Board, which is also responsible for defining the Foundation's strategy and priorities.

The Soros Foundation-Moldova does not offer charity help and support for technical or scientific projects. Grants are given only for specific projects and not for the general support of the organization.