Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa

OSIEA plays an active role in encouraging open, informed dialogue on issues of importance in Eastern Africa. Through a combination of grant making, advocacy and convening power, OSIEA is able to support and amplify the voices of pro-democracy organizations and individuals in the region and to strengthen their capacity to hold their governments accountable. This includes efforts to defend and support rights activists and pro-democracy advocates who come under attack for their work.

OSIEA occupies a unique niche as a donor organization in Eastern Africa. We are both a donor and implementor working locally and internationally, which gives us an enormous flexibility in terms of reach and impact. We join processes that are consultative and participatory. Our ability to be flexible in our funding criteria allows us to respond quickly to changing situations. We add our own voice to debates and are not shy to take on rights issues that are deemed as politically sensitive or controversial.

We support initiatives with a demonstrated capacity to positively transform society in innovative ways that embrace inclusiveness and diversity.