Open Society Foundations

12/12/2025

The current state of democracy in Africa is a paradox. On one hand, the continent is experiencing a revival of authoritarian practices, diminishing civic space, entrenched political elites, and institutions not keeping pace with contemporary demands. On the other hand, a powerful democratic awakening is emerging.

Young people, women, rural organizers, and creatives—actors long treated as peripheral to politics—are stepping decisively into democratic spaces. They are challenging the assumption that governance belongs to a narrow class of elite leaders and are instead insisting on a democracy that delivers for all—one rooted in economic justice, dignity, and a voice in shaping their own futures.

Our director of democratic futures in Africa, Chukwuemeka Eze, explains how Open Society is supporting this unprecedented momentum by investing in reforms that expand civic and political space at the local, national, and continental levels.

Read more: https://osf.to/3XLAPER



Inside Open Society looks at the leaders who are advancing Open Society’s mission to promote rights, equity, and justice around the world. With a commitment to amplifying local knowledge, these leaders are supporting innovative solutions to help democratic and open societies thrive.

Learn more: https://osf.to/insideopensociety

12/10/2025

On , we’re spotlighting the young people across the Global South who are speaking out about the kinds of governance systems and democracies they want.

They are demanding systems that deliver dignity, equity, justice, and real economic opportunity. From Africa to Asia, the Middle East to Latin America, young people are leading transformative movements and pushing for governance that truly works.

Their message is clear: human rights must be at the center of reimagining democracy.

Today, we honor their courage, their clarity, and their commitment to building a better world.

12/09/2025

Often and unfairly perceived as high risk, Roma entrepreneurs perform on-par with non-Roma borrowers when given equitable access to financing for their businesses. These are the findings from the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative (REDI), which provides loans to Roma entrepreneurs. REDI launched in 2022 with capital from Open Society’s impact investing arm, the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF).

By 2026, REDI’s loan portfolio is projected to expand to €15 million across six European countries, including North Macedonia, Kosovo, Romania, Albania, Montenegro, and Slovakia, up from its initial €5 million.

Roma consistently face exclusion from Europe’s formal economy and core economic systems. Some also report facing discrimination when seeking work. For example, Aura Drăgușin unsuccessfully sought financing from conventional banks, so she turned to Patria Credit, a microfinance institution supported by REDI. That loan enabled her to open a small car-wash business—an enterprise that now sustains her household and employs others in her community.

Other beneficiaries including Sanida, who owns a hair and beauty salon where she teaches hair dressing and cosmetology in Novi Sad, Serbia, and Anita, who owns and runs a roastery specializing in pork and lamb in Nis, Serbia.

Learn more about REDI and its investments in this op-ed by SEDF CEO Georgia Levenson Keohane: https://osf.to/44drKbA

Read more on the SEDF website: https://osf.to/4rMp52x

📸 Akos Stiller for the Roma Economic Development Initiative

12/08/2025

One year ago today, the Assad regime fell after decades of repression, arbitrary detentions, torture, and violence. For Syrians—and the world—it is a day of reflection and a call for justice.

As our partner, Sana Kikhia, the executive director of SLDP states, “We may have a hundred reasons to be afraid, but we have a million reasons to be hopeful. In just one year, Syria’s civil society has moved from watching the world rush to normalize a criminal regime, to standing firmly on the ground with our people—engaging national bodies on justice, pushing for accountability, and driving the conversation forward. This is a moment of real, growing hope.”

The road ahead is long: millions have returned to shattered homes, infrastructure is fragile, and justice remains unfinished. We are proud to stand by our partners in fostering an inclusive recovery in Syria, rooted in dignity, accountability, and justice for all.



📸 ©Emile Ducke/Ostkreuz/Redux

12/05/2025

Opinion: This two-step strategy has helped other countries halt democratic backsliding. It can work in the U.S. if we act quickly, writes Joe Goldman, Laleh Ispahani, Deepak Bhargava.

Goldman is president of the , Ispahani is managing director of the , and Bhargava is president of Freedom Together Foundation.

Read the full story at philanthropy.com/opinion. Link in bio.

12/05/2025

For decades, Open Society has provided aid in response to severe crises to help the most vulnerable communities. Our relief has supported those in immediate need and helped to ensure aid is equitably distributed and communities can be rebuilt.

As the world’s largest private funder of human rights, we’re proud to work toward a shared humanity where everyone can thrive.

Learn more about our history through the link in the comments.

Photo Credits: Q. Sakamaki/Redux, Open Society Foundations, Mario Tama/Getty, Najlah Feanny/Corbis/Getty, Andrea Bruce/NOOR for The Open Society Foundations, Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto/Newscom, Arlo Iron Cloud for The Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board, Franc Zhurda/AP, Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/Newscom, Kristen Lieb/Redux for the Open Society Foundations

12/04/2025

🎙️ In our new podcast, Pedro Abramovay (Open Society Foundations) offers a wide-ranging analysis of the rise of illiberal forces in Latin America and the democratic vulnerabilities they exploit.

🎧 Listen to it now:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/2att7rwb

11/25/2025

Industrial policy is back and greener than ever.

Green industrial policy is how countries can continue to grow, while tackling the climate crisis head on. Open Society’s Luis Godoy explains how it is also an opportunity to build a fairer, cleaner, and stronger economy that benefits everyone—especially countries in the Global South.

Learn more about our approach to economic and climate prosperity: https://osf.to/46N1t5z

11/20/2025

The COP30 Presidency called for a global mutirão—an Indigenous concept in Brazil that means a community coming together to work on a shared task—against climate change.

Live from Belém, Brazil, we’re hearing about an unprecedented integration of voices from across regions, cultures, and sectors that are often underrepresented and sidelined in formal negotiations.

Ahead of COP30, the Global Ethical Stocktake was undertaken to complement the Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake by assessing not only technical climate progress but the ethical dimensions of climate action—such as responsibility, equity, planetary stewardship, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

We spoke with Fernanda Pessoa, the head of philanthropy management at Sitawi, an Open Society grantee, to share how the Global Ethical Stocktake is integrating voices from across regions, cultures, and sectors that are often underrepresented in formal negotiations.

Read how the results of the initiative are being shared with global leaders at COP30: https://osf.to/43F8un3

The Global Ethical Stocktake, a civil society–driven process, assesses the ethical dimensions of climate action--such as responsibility, equity, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

11/19/2025

We are standing firm in the face of any challenges.

Our work in the United States is dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms. We stand by the work we do to improve lives in the United States and across the world. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are required to comply with the law.

Governments’ politically motivated attacks on civil society are meant to silence speech authorities disagree with and undermine First Amendment rights.

Read more from Binaifer Nowrojee in Devex through the link in the comments.

11/18/2025

Congratulations to Open Society Foundations President Binaifer Nowrojee for receiving the International Law Institute’s 2025 Lifetime Impact Award!

Nowrojee, an international human rights lawyer, has been a leader in human rights for three decades.

“Binaifer Nowrojee’s career has transformed lives across the world. From her groundbreaking work in human rights advocacy to her leadership in building strong, inclusive institutions, she has consistently advanced justice, governance, and women’s empowerment,” said Stuart Kerr, president of the International Law Institute. “Her impact is profound, enduring, and deeply aligned with the values the International Law Institute stands for.”

11/16/2025

The A to Zs of Democracy: Buen Vivir

Buen vivir is a concept originating in Indigenous and Afro-descendant traditions across Latin America that focuses on belonging, community, and harmony with nature.

It offers a powerful framework to expand democracy’s ability to deliver social and economic well-being for people and planet, rooted in belonging, dignity, and agency.