East and Southeast Europe
The Regional Office FNF ESEE covers 23 countries in East and Southeast Europe. The Regional Office in Sofia coordinates the following Project Offices in the region: Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Greece, Romania and Moldova, Western Balkans, Russia and Central Asia, Ukraine and Belarus, South Caucasus and Turkey.
News
-
Prisoner of Conscience: Elchin Ismayilli
Find out the story of the released prisoner of conscience. In March 2021, thanks to a presidential pardon, more than 30 secular and religious opposition figures, have been released from prison in Azerbaijan. Among them is as well the journalist Elchin Ismayilli unjustly incarcerated. In mid-February 2017, police arrested Azerbaijani journalist Elchin Ismayilli and later charged him with bribery, extortion, and abuse of power.
-
Russian Media and the Rule of Silence
Learn more about how the authorities in Russia are trying to silence independent media. The event “Rule of Silence” was jointly organized by the Kennan Institute and FNF. The distinguished panelists are Pavel Chikov – a Russian lawyer, a human rights advocate and head of the Agora group; Ivan Pavlov – a Team 29 representative; Roman Anin – investigative journalist, ex-partner of OCCRP and editor-in-chief of Important Stories media. Moderated by Sergey Parkhomenko.
-
Prisoner of Conscience: Marfa Rabkova
On September 17, officers from the Interior Ministry detained a Belarusian human rights advocate, Marfa Rabkova, and her husband. A week later, Rabkova was charged with planning to incite riots, an accusation which both Belarusian and international human rights advocates see as unjust and fabricated. If convicted, she faces up to three years in jail.
-
When activism meets law
Denitsa Lyubenova is a human rights lawyer and LGBTI activist who helps people live normal lives and enjoy equal rights in Bulgaria.
She is not a stereotypical lawyer — her mission for many years is to achieve justice and equal human rights for people from different communities. Denitsa helped establish the LGBTI organisation Deystvie (meaning “action”) and now, as its legal expert, helps it change the lives and protect the rights of all groups in society. She has helped children receive citizenship, made marriages legally acknowledged, and facilitated access to medicine for HIV patients. -
Bringing education to the table
The up-and-coming Turkish politician Zeynep Dereli believes more female representation will change the political agenda for the better. There are many reasons to trust the judgement of this aspiring politician, education leader, businessperson with two decades of experience in several industries, and mother of two. But if need to single one out, it would be her firm belief in the great future of her country and its women. “The first word that comes to my mind when you ask me how I feel about being back in my country is hopeful. Why? Because I feel, there is an increasing demand for female representation in politics in Turkey as well as for equity in all aspects of life.”
-
Defending what is right
Georgian politician and civic mover and shaker Tinatin Khidasheli has been immersed in the fight for justice for 30 years – and is ready for the next 30 to come. Tinatin is the type of person for whom the use of “fighter” in the expression “freedom fighter” is well deserved. In her three decades of civic activism, she has gone from clashing with the Soviet-era militsiya (police) in the final year before the fall of the USSR to defending in court the basic rights of those ostracised by the new Georgian state, from advocating the need for EU integration of her country in Parliament, to reforming its military.
-
Freedom Team Interview: Martin Kothé in Focus
Meet Martin Kothé, our new Regional Director for FNF East and Southeast Europe and Project Director for Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece since August 2020. Learn more about his professional journey and personal manifesto. Martin Kothé has joined FNF in early 2020 after 10 years as a Managing Director for FTI Consulting in Berlin, a US strategic communications consultancy. From 2004 to 2010, Martin was working as spokesperson to the German President Horst Köhler during his tenure in office. Prior to that, Martin served as communications director and spokesperson of the German liberal party FDP affiliated to FNF (1999 - 2004). He started his career in journalism, learning the trade in the German Section of the BBC's World Service from 1988 - 1991.
-
Regional Office FNF ESEE
The Regional Office overall covers 23 countries in East and Southeast Europe, while actively working on the ground in 17 countries. The Regional Office in Sofia coordinates the following 8 Project Offices in the region: Sofia (Bulgaria and North Macedonia), Athens (Greece), Bucharest (Romania and the Republic of Moldova), Belgrade (Western Balkans), Moscow (Russia and Central Asia), Kyiv (Ukraine and Belarus), Tbilisi (South Caucasus) and Istanbul (Turkey). Furthermore, the office has strategic and administrative functions on regional level. It works on a variety of initiatives and programmes.
-
About us: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom
Nowadays, liberal values are being endangered globally. Close to 700 employees in 60 countries worldwide, including Germany, try to counter this development and are united by one cause – the promotion of freedom with responsibility. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) envisions an enlightened and tolerant society in Germany, Europe and the whole world, with more engaged and politically active citizens.
-
Under the Mask of Disinformation
The issue of wearing protective masks has been on the agenda since the beginning of the pandemic: Should we cover our face or not? Under what circumstances? What type of mask should we use? Over the past few months, the focus of the debate has changed several times while also opening the door to conspiracy theories and misinformation.
-
When Disinformation Turns Into Politics
Conspiracy is an excellent political instrument and offers an escape from political accountability. Any not-so-well-intended politician looking for personal gain is free to exploit this.
-
COVID-19: The Myth of Paid Patients
One can get 1,800 leva cash by claiming to be sick with COVID-19. Everyone has heard this in Bulgaria, but has somebody really profited?
-
Fighting the Virus With Folk Remedies
Many people see SARS-CoV-2 as just another virus. And if it’s just another virus, then grandma’s classic remedies should work, right?
-
Cure or Poison?
Do myths or realities related to the treatment of the Coronavirus prevail in the public domain?
-
Primum non nocere. On the Virus and Ethics
Usually, the media seeks all legitimate points of view. Everyone has the right to an opinion, this is a basic human right. But in order for this opinion to deserve media attention, it must be supported by facts and expressed by someone who has the necessary knowledge to back it up.
Social Media
-
5
🤝 Get to know our new Regional Director for East and Southeast Europe, Martin Kothé. 🎬 Find out interesting facts about his professional journey in the animation below. Read the Freedom Team interview here 👉 http://bit.ly/3sFV71s 👏 Special thanks to 500 markers for the animation. #welcomemartinkothee #fnfesee #FreedomTeam
-
1
❓ How are the authorities in Russia trying to silence independent media? Have a look at insightful discussion on the current state of media with the following distinguished speakers: ✔️ Pavel Chikov – a Russian lawyer, a human rights advocate and head of the Agora group; ✔️Ivan Pavlov – a Team 29 representative, an informal association of lawyers and journalists aimed to counteract growing governmental closeness in Russia; ✔️ Roman Anin – investigative journalist, ex-partner of OCCRP and editor-in-chief of Important Stories media. ✔️ Moderated by Sergey Parkhomenko, journalist and a Kennan Institute affiliate. 👏 'Rule of Silence' was jointly organized by the Kennan Institute and FNF. Learn more in English 👉 https://bit.ly/32lA2gQ 🎥 Watch a video recording of the discussion in Russian: https://bit.ly/3tocp3c
-
1
🛑 How internet shutdowns are threatening democracy in Eastern Europe, especially in Russia and Belarus? 💻 Governments around the world restrict access to the internet, especially during elections and anti-government protests - and this trend is growing. ⏯️ Watch the recorded discussion at your convenience ⏯️ https://bit.ly/3d9DOQF
Focus
Our Experts
Most popular
-
Looking for Freelancers/Companies to optimize the quality of our digital contents
Call for Proposals -
North Korea 2021: Corona is just one out of many political challenges
Analysis -
Apply for a Journalism Scholarship
Media Training -
Profile Sigrid Kaag - Atypical Times Call for Atypical Leaders
Netherlands