We provide: innovative programmes to improve education, strengthen independent media, foster civil society development, reduce conflict and increase tolerance and understanding. We work with: human rights defenders & pro-democracy activists, grass-roots activists, journalists and media professionals, citizen journalists, bloggers and netizens.We promote:free expression, independent media, increased civic participation at the local and national level, improved access to justice, womens rights and access to education.

We are an independent NGO registered as an association under French law and based in Lyon, France. We work directly with local civil society groups on the ground.

We have partnerships with civil society groups and human rights activists in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Through our network partner IREX we benefit from an ongoing field office presence in more than 25 countries.

How we work:Grassroots: we work with human rights defenders and grassroots organizations, as well as directly run trainings to promote free expression with hard to reach groups (such as Somali women in refugee camps).National level: we build the impact of independent media and of our human rights partners through media management trainings, as well as promote financial sustainability of independent media outlets through audience research, advertising, circulation and promotion.International level: we work with intergovernmental organisations and funders to leverage funding and minimise duplication. We participate in international conferences promoting media development, donor coordination and increased local representation.

BELARUS - Strengthening independent media and education

Supported by the European Union, the United States Development Agency, and the Czech Ministry for Foreign AffairsContent analysis of leading Belarusian media showed that in December 2012, Euroradio had the biggest share of original news content (52%).FREE EXPRESSIONSince September 2010, Euroradio increased unique visits by 196%, and 34Mag.net by 677%.Activities: Enabling free and independent broadcasting Training for journalists and civic journalists Developing sustainable youth-orientated civic journalism platforms Improving journalism education

KENYA & SOMALILAND - Theatre for Peace

Working with Somali communities in Somaliland andin Kenya (Dadaab refugee camps, Eastleigh and Mombasa).

Using Drama for Conflict Transformation, theatre, music, poetry and arts to promote peace and stability.

Activities: theatre workshops for disenfranchised youth Building a cadre of local trainers in DCT DCT Theatre roadshow across Somaliland Film festival (Somaliland 2012)

Supported by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)92% of participants found the project was an effective way to promote tolerance within their communitiesXENOPHOBIA AND INTOLERENCE

YEMEN - Young Womens Leadership Programme

Supported by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)Activities: Technical and professional skill development of women: 100 young Yemeni women, aged 22 to 25 trained in language, IT and management to prepare them for careers as civil society or media professionals or simply to be more competent, informed and confident citizens.Of the 38 participants who graduated from the first class, 22 were in the workplace by project end. Independent evaluation of the project showed participants demonstrated significant improvements in self-confidence and in technical skills. WOMENS RIGHTS

BELARUS - Support to freedom of expression via broadcasting and new media in Belarus

DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTActivities: Enabling free and independent broadcasting Training for journalists and civic journalistsThrough training in multimedia newsroom management, 34Mag.nets online materials are now all multimedia, combining multiple formats. IREX Europes multimedia trainings reached 227 journalists and Young "civic journalists" helping them produce multimedia reports for their outlets / blogs, increasing their impact and reach despite the many restrictions in Belarus. Supported by the European Union, the United States Development Agency, and the Czech Ministry for Foreign Affairs

LGBTI Rights in Russia We are developing programming with our sister organisation IREX, promoting LGBTI visibility and acceptance within Russian society. We will work with local Russian partners, particularly in the regions, through organizational capacity building and networking activities, as well as increased outputs in new media featuring positive LGBTI role models. We will help protect LGBTI organizations and activists from violence through physical and digital in-house assistance, as well provide legal support through Legal AID Seminars and A Rapid Response mechanism. We will increase face-to-face counselling support to at-risk LGBTI teenagers and provide a Hotline to provide emergency support to at-risk youth struggling to accept their sexual identity.

AREAS OF EXPANSION

Human Rights Defenders

We are developing programming to help human rights defenders fight increasing restrictions in Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan by providing legal training in European Human Rights Law under the European Convention of Human Rights to lawyers, journalists and media workers in the three countries. Our work will include an Emergency Response Fund for lawyers, journalists and media workers unfairly detained or prosecuted. As freedom of expression and freedom of the press in the region are increasingly attacked and restricted, we will help human rights defenders file cases before the European Court of Human Rights, pressuring and lobbying for reform of restrictive laws in Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.

AREAS OF EXPANSION

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*Introduce team personal history tells story of IREX Founding.

*Introduce team personal history tells story of IREX Founding.

*Introduce team personal history tells story of IREX Founding.

*Introduce team personal history tells story of IREX Founding.

*Introduce team personal history tells story of IREX Founding.