Eric Boyle, senior vice president at ICF, delivered the evening’s keynote remarks. In his role at ICF, Boyle helps use cutting-edge solutions to address difficult business and public policy problems. He reflected on his career, which began while he was working in Central Asia and Ukraine in the international development sector. Fellows took interest in his transition from working in international development to the private sector. Boyle emphasized that deep understanding of a region’s history and current affairs is an important skill in any field—one that has impacted his career in both development and the private sector.

Throughout the past year, YPN fellows have attended in-person and hybrid events with other esteemed experts who have worked in or studied the Eurasia region. Events included discussions of Armenia’s foreign policy with Dr. Michael Rubin, developments in Central Asia with Dr. Erica Marat, Georgia’s upcoming elections with Ambassador Kelly Degnan, and the war in Ukraine with Eric Green, as well as a mixer with fellows from the Rumsfeld Foundation’s CAMCA program.

With their season complete, fellows will now join a network of YPN alumni to continue forging connections with peers who share their dedication to this critical region. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for these young leaders!

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Yusup Agajanov of Turkmenistan taught English in local villages through his Lights of the Future project. He also trained 20 young people in tour-guiding skills, equipping them for future employment. He is a teacher at Ashgabat’s International School.

Madina Mustafina of Turkmenistan coordinates volunteers and social programs at Yenme. She is a certified trainer and led a project to help young people develop their soft skills. Madina also expanded her environmental expertise through CAYLA’s internship initiative.

Nargiza Rakhmanova of Uzbekistan heads the Sogdiana Women’s Center and has initiated 8 social projects that benefitted 600 people. She inspired a fellow CAYLA alumna to start a civil society organization in Uzbekistan’s Navoi region.

Assylan Smagulov of Kazakhstan founded the organization Voice of Youth and advocates for students’ rights. His project promoting free travel for children in Karaganda has benefitted over 100,000 young people.

Maiya Suyunchaliyeva of Kazakhstan founded the initiatives 4Grants and Tourism and Smart Cities. She manages projects at the Institute of Green and Sustainable Development at Kazakh National Agrarian Research University. Maiya holds various international leadership roles and won the US’s International Visitor Leadership Program in 2021.

Mahmudjon Utkurov of Uzbekistan co-founded the Young Manager program to create professional development opportunities for young people in Uzbekistan. He also led language camps for over 750 participants through Uzbekistan’s Youth Affairs Agency.

Learn more about Eurasia Foundation’s Young Professionals Network and read the CAYLA Ambassador’s full bios on the YPN 2023-2024 page.

The post Young Professionals Network Welcomes Bright Alumni from Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

As we enter 2024, Eurasia Foundation is poised at the edge of a new horizon. The last year ushered in exciting changes as our digital governance and disability rights portfolios expanded rapidly, and we amplified the achievements of emerging changemakers on a bigger stage than ever before. These changes do not mark a departure from our work as usual. Instead, they are the culmination of diligence, care, and years-long partnerships with participants, peers, and donors.

Spotlight on Ukraine 

An early highlight of 2023 was Diia in DC. Over 1,000 attendees came to learn about Diia, Ukraine’s e-services platform that connects 19 million Ukrainians with more than 120 government services. Eurasia Foundation’s Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) project supported the Government of Ukraine to launch many of these e-services and other e-governance solutions aimed at eliminating corruption and fostering public trust. These reforms have proven vital to sustaining Ukrainians during the war. At Diia in DC, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced that USAID will allocate $650,000 to support countries around the world—including Ecuador, Colombia, and Zambia—to launch Diia-like systems of their own. 

The expansion of TAPAS’s work did not end there. In late December, US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink announced the Ukraine Digital Transformation Activity—a five-year, $150 million award by USAID and UK Dev. Through this activity, Eurasia Foundation will continue to enhance Ukraine’s digital capabilities, including Diia, and, together with its partners, build resilient systems for a secure, prosperous future. The Digital Transformation Activity expands on TAPAS’s work to promote three core objectives: economic revitalization, transparency in reconstruction, and democratic governance during the ongoing war and beyond. We are deeply proud to carry our partnership with the Government of Ukraine forward.

Centering Disability Rights 

Alongside our digital governance work, our programs promoting disability rights blossomed in 2023. In October, we launched the Judy Initiative in Armenia and Moldova. The program honors the legacy of disability rights trailblazer Judith “Judy” Heumann, a trailblazer and mentor to many young people with disabilities. Through the Judy Initiative, Eurasia Foundation will work with local organizations of people with disabilities, international disability rights experts, and youth experts to amplify the voices of youth with disabilities between ages 18 and 30. 

Our Social Innovation in Central Asia project also adopted a new focus area: supporting natural disaster response led by people with disabilities. This new initiative centers people with disabilities in disaster response planning. The initiative will support people with disabilities and organizations of people with disabilities as they advance practical solutions to disasters impacting Central Asia.

Celebrating Future Leaders 

Another chapter of the Social Innovation in Central Asia project drew to a close. The Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) welcomed its third and final cohort of young leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, bringing the total number of CAYLA participants to 480 in just three years. As ever, CAYLA offered these young leaders a space to collaborate with like-minded peers and to pilot new project ideas with ongoing mentorship from EF. Before activities concluded, CAYLA graduates elected two “ambassadors” from each participating country. These leaders will strengthen and sustain the CAYLA alumni community far beyond the program’s end. 

We also had the privilege of celebrating emerging leaders at Eurasia Foundation’s Future Changemakers Forum at Ukraine House. The event honored Ukraine’s Ambassador Oksana Markarova for her unwavering commitment to advancing transparent governance in Ukraine. We also welcomed three members of the inaugural cohort of the Fellowship for Women Changemakers from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

I am grateful to everyone who helped us navigate new changes and challenges in 2023. We are thrilled to carry this positive momentum into 2024 with you at our side. 

May the new year bring peace and prosperity to you all. Happy New Year! 

The post 2024: Reflections for the Year Ahead appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

“The Judy Initiative addresses the unique challenges faced by youth with disabilities, both because of their age and entrenched cultural stigma around disability,” says EF President Lisa Coll. “The name of this project honors Judy Heumann, a trailblazer for the rights of people with disabilities across the globe. We are proud to carry her legacy forward.”

While both the governments of Armenia and Moldova demonstrate interest in protecting the rights of people with disabilities, the legacy of Soviet-era policies and cultural stigma often complicate the work of disability rights changemakers. Most OPDs in Armenia are in the capital, leaving five of the country’s ten regions without any such organizations. Moldova’s legal framework does not yet offer adequate protections for people with disabilities. Many institutions in both countries view disability as a medical topic, rather than a social and political issue that can change through concerted effort.

The Judy Initiative will approach these challenges by involving OPDs and experts with deep roots in the local disability rights communities. EF will strengthen local OPDs and civil society groups through intensive workshops led by disability rights experts. OPDs will then connect with local youth changemakers with disabilities, mentoring the young leaders as they implement awareness initiatives that champion the integration of people with disabilities at all levels of society. The program will culminate in regional conferences of youth with disabilities, government officials, and civil society organizations. This collaboration will foster more open dialogue, build relationships, and garner support for youth-led initiatives.

“By uniting youth with disabilities with local organizations, government leaders, and international experts, the Judy Initiative will elevate these young leaders’ perspectives,” notes Hrachya Topalyan, director of Civic Engagement and Leadership at EF. “This approach ensures that collaboration to promote the rights of people with disabilities will continue well beyond the project’s end.”

Eurasia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to the idea that societies function best when people take responsibility for their own civic and economic prosperity. We envision a future where all people have the opportunity to realize their potential and transform their societies. Since 1992, Eurasia Foundation has equipped forward-thinking people across Europe, Eurasia, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to address issues of concern in their communities. Our success showcases the power of a vibrant civil society to drive real and lasting change. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

For general inquiries related to Eurasia Foundation, please contact Communications Manager Julia McLean at jmclean@eurasia.org.

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Alonzo L. Fulgham delivered the evening’s keynote address. Fulgham is Executive Vice President of Defense/Homeland at VIATEQ Corporation and an EF trustee. He surveyed the immense demographic, cultural, and political challenges that he expects the world to experience in coming decades. He urged fellows to champion good governance and local leadership as they seek to address these issues.

“You represent the best and the brightest of your own countries and of the United States,” Fulgham remarked. “You have the opportunity to be the next generation of leadership—and that’s going to make a difference.” During Q&A, fellows asked Fulgham for advice on driving positive change despite growing authoritarianism and shifting global power structures.

YPN offers emerging leaders the opportunity to develop relationships with like-minded peers and broaden their perspectives on important international events. For the next nine months, YPN fellows will participate in off-the-record discussions with experts in international affairs like diplomats, academics, and journalists. These discussions will focus on fellows’ regional and thematic interests. Past YPN events have explored the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine, politics in Georgia, and recent developments across Central Asia.

This year’s cohort represents a wide array of professional backgrounds, including consulting firms, think tanks, universities, governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations. It includes fellows from Accenture Federal Services, American Councils for International Education, American Enterprise Institute, American University, the Atlantic Council, Chemonics International, Dataminr, Energy Policy Research Foundation, the Foreign Service, Freedom House, Georgetown University, Hudson Institute, International Business Initiatives, Johns Hopkins University, National Endowment for Democracy, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Solidarity Center, TD International, and the World Bank Group’s CGAP. The new cohort also represents six countries: Armenia, China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Singapore, and the United States. All have extensive education, work experience, and language skills relating to the Eurasia region.

EF’s Board of Trustees established the Young Professionals Network in 2012 to honor EF’s late board chair, Sarah Carey, for her pioneering spirit and deep connection to the Eurasia region. EF identifies rising leaders who share Sarah Carey’s commitment to international engagement and connects them with established professionals who can help mentor a new generation of politicians, diplomats, and analysts. Eurasia Foundation has welcomed over 320 early-career professionals into the network during the program’s twelve-year history.

Find profiles of this year’s cohort here and a video about the program here.

The post Eurasia Foundation Welcomes Young Professionals Network Cohort of 2023-2024 appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

Hear from these remarkable leaders and more, including distinguished alumni of Eurasia Foundation’s Young Professionals Network. Then, join us for a celebratory reception with live jazz performed by Latin Grammy Award-winning pianist Bienvenido Dinzey and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Ruta.

Purchase your ticket or donate online. All proceeds support Eurasia Foundation’s dynamic leadership and exchange work.

2023 Sarah Carey Award: Honoring Ambassador Oksana Markarova

The post Future Changemakers Forum appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

During private briefings and Q&A sessions, members of YPN have interacted with public figures such as former Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Rosenblum; influential Eurasia experts, including U.S. Ambassadors (ret.) William Courtney, John Herbst, Richard Kauzlarich, Susan Thornton, Mary Warlick, and Kenneth Yalowitz; foreign policy experts Dr. Fiona Hill, Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff, and Paul Stronski; journalist Thomas de Waal; and Ambassadors from the Romanian, Moldovan, and German embassies, among others. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

Program Description 

EF Young Professionals attend and participate in events with influential diplomats, scholars, and journalists up to twice per month between September 2023 and May 2024. All events will take place in Washington, D.C. at varied times after 5:00 PM. The YPN program will be conducted in-person but many also have occasional virtual events.  

Requirements & Expectations 

Young professionals between the ages of 22 and 33 with a deep interest in the Eurasia region who are working in government, media, military, private, or nonprofit sectors may apply. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and a demonstrable commitment to the Eurasia region. Selected participants will be expected to attend most program events, some of which will be scheduled during the workday to accommodate speakers’ schedules. Before applying, please consider if your professional and personal obligations will allow you to fully participate. 

Application Process 

If you are interested in becoming a YPN fellow, please submit your application online by 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. You will need to create an account on EF’s application portal and upload the following documents: 

• Current resume 
• Motivation letter explaining your motivation to apply for the Young Professional Network program and how it fits your career interests. 
• Letter of recommendation from a current or former employer or professor addressing your motivation, commitment to the Eurasia region, and leadership qualities 
• A photo (headshot) that may be upload to EF’s website, should you be offered and accept the fellowship 

Use the access code YPN2024 to access the application. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Young Professionals Network FAQs 

What is the Young Professional Network? The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a professional development network in Washington, D.C. that helps prepare the next generation of experts focused on the Eurasia region. In 2021, YPN marked its ninth anniversary; to date, it has engaged over 250 young and mid-career professionals from the private and nonprofit sectors, the diplomatic community, and the media. The alumni network represents more than 13 countries from the Eurasia region and who collectively speak 12 languages. YPN consists of monthly events, roundtables, and happy hours in Washington to connect rising leaders and established professionals from D.C. think tanks, media outlets, the diplomatic community, and regional activists. As the name of the program implies, the program goal is to create a place for young people to network and building lasting connections.

Who is eligible to apply? The program is open to all applicants between the ages of 22 to 33, regardless of their citizenship. The applicants should have a demonstrable commitment to the Eurasia region and hold a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred). Network alumni work in government, media, and military, as well as in the private and nonprofit sectors.

Does the YPN program cover travel/relocation expenses, or provide a stipend/scholarship? No, YPN does not cover travel or relocation expenses or provide any kind of funding, stipend, or scholarship. The YPN program is designed to provide only networking opportunities for its participants where they can meet and build connections with established professionals.

Should participants reside in the Washington, D.C. area? Yes, the participants should be living, studying, or working in Washington, D.C., and its suburbs, at least for the duration of the program. The program lasts from September through May and all networking events take place in Washington, D.C., and its environs. 

Where should the application materials be submitted? Please submit your application via EF’s website. Applicants need to use the access code YPN2024 to access the application. 

How long is the program? The program begins in September 2023 and ends in May 2024.

How do you choose speakers for the events? EF tailors its activities, meetings, and roundtables to address current events in the Eurasia region. Program speakers and events vary from year to year. 

When is the deadline to apply? The application materials to YPN Class 2023-2024 are due by 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

Should reference letter be sent separately? The reference letter may be submitted by applicants along with other application materials, or it may be sent separately by the writer. If the writer of the reference letter prefers to send it on their own, s/he should forward it to ypn@eurasia.org and put “Reference Applicant’s Name” (e.g. “Reference Jane Doe”) in the subject line. All materials should be submitted before the deadline, Wednesday, August 23, 2023. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

The post Apply Now to Join EF’S Young Professionals Network Class of 2023-2024 appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

Ulstrup is founder of Primehook Technologies, where he helps organizations adopt cutting-edge technologies to meet strategic goals. His comments centered on how emerging technologies might dramatically change democracy and governance practices. He encouraged fellows to acquaint themselves with new data and information technology like artificial intelligence, as these forces will undoubtedly shape their career trajectories. “Fortune favors the prepared mind,” he closed, quoting innovator Louis Pasteur.

The closing ceremony was the last in a series of in-person and hybrid events that fellows attended. Throughout this YPN season, fellows met with Eurasia expert Dr. Angela Stent, journalist Thomas de Waal, retired UK Ambassador Alexandra Hall Hall, and other distinguished guests.

This ceremony does not mark the end of participants’ journeys with YPN. Fellows can continue to engage with one another and participate in future events through YPN’s alumni network. We look forward to all that these young leaders will accomplish in the years ahead!

The post Celebrating the Young Professionals Network Class of 2023 appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

Ambassador Spratlen discussed her path to a successful thirty-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service. She reflected on the many changes in the Eurasia region since she began her service and offered her outlook on the region’s future. Ambassador Spratlen repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing a new generation of young professionals from varied backgrounds who will guide the United States’ engagement in foreign affairs for decades to come. Fellows participated in a Q&A session with the ambassador, asking for her thoughts on current affairs and her most cherished memories from living in Central Asia.

For the next nine months, YPN fellows will meet with senior Eurasia experts in off-the-record discussions on diplomacy, policy, journalism, and international affairs. YPN meetings will offer these emerging thinkers and leaders the opportunity to expand their networks, dive deeper into topics of interest, and stay up to date on the latest developments in the region.

This year’s cohort represents a wide array of professional backgrounds, including think tanks, universities, governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations. It includes fellows from the American Bar Association, American Enterprise Institute, American University, Army Reserve, Atlantic Council, Bukharian Times, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Center for International Private Enterprise, Citibank, Common Mission Project, CRDF Global, Department of State, Department of Justice, FHI360, Georgetown University, International Law Institute, Johns Hopkins University, National Endowment for Democracy, PYXERA Global, Search for Common Ground, and USAID. The new cohort also represents five countries: Iran, Kazakhstan, Poland, the United States, and Uzbekistan. All have extensive education, work experience, and language skills relating to the Eurasian region.

EF’s Board of Trustees established the Young Professionals Network in 2012 to honor EF’s late board chair, Sarah Carey, for her pioneering spirit and deep connection to Russia and the Eurasia region. EF identifies rising leaders who share Sarah Carey’s commitment to international engagement in the region and connects them with established professionals who can help mentor a new generation of politicians, diplomats, and analysts. During its eleven-year history, EF has welcomed over 300 early-career professionals into the network.

Find profiles of this year’s cohort here and a video about the program here.

The post Young Professionals Network Welcomes 2022-2023 Cohort appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

Highlights of past YPN events include meeting former Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbayeva and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Rosenblum. During private briefings and Q&A sessions, members of YPN have interacted with influential Eurasia experts, including U.S. Ambassadors (ret.) William Courtney, John Herbst, Richard Kauzlarich, Steven Pifer, William Taylor, Susan Thornton, Mary Warlick, and Kenneth Yalowitz; foreign policy experts Dr. Fiona Hill, Dr. Jeffrey Mankoff, and Paul Stronski; journalist Thomas de Waal; and Ambassadors from the Romanian, Moldovan, and German embassies, among others.

Program Description

EF Young Professionals will attend and participate in events with influential diplomats, scholars, and journalists up to two times per month between September 2022 and May 2023. All events will take place in Washington, D.C., at varied times after 5 PM. The YPN program will either be conducted in-person or in a hybrid format depending on the developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Requirements & Expectations

Young professionals between the ages of 22 and 33 with a deep interest in the Eurasia region who are working in government, media, military, private, or nonprofit sectors may apply. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and a demonstrable commitment to the Eurasia region. Selected participants will be expected to attend most program events, some of which may be scheduled during the workday to accommodate speakers’ schedules. Before applying, please consider if your professional and personal obligations will allow you to fully participate.

Application Process

If you are interested in becoming a YPN fellow, please submit your application online by 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, September 4, 2022. You will need to create an account on EF’s application portal and upload the following documents:

• • Current resume
  • Cover letter describing how you will contribute to and benefit from the program
  • Letter of recommendation from a current or former employer or professor addressing your motivation, commitment to the Eurasia region, and leadership qualities
  • A photo that may be upload to EF’s website, should you be offered and accept the fellowship

  Use the access code YPN2022 to access the application.

  CLICK HERE TO APPLY

  Young Professionals Network FAQs

  What is the Young Professional Network program? The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a professional development network in Washington, D.C., that helps prepare the next generation of experts focused on the Eurasia region. In 2022, YPN marked its tenth anniversary; to date, it has engaged over 278 young and mid-career professionals from the private and nonprofit sectors, the diplomatic community, and the media. The alumni network represents more than 13 countries from the Eurasia region who collectively speak 12 languages. YPN consists of monthly events, roundtables, and happy hours in Washington designed to connect rising leaders and established professionals from D.C. think-tanks, media outlets, the diplomatic community, and regional activists. As the name of the program implies, the program goal is to create a place for young people to network and building lasting connections.

  Who is eligible to apply? The program is open to all applicants between the ages of 22 to 33, regardless of their citizenship. The applicants should have a demonstrable commitment to the Eurasia region and hold a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree or currently pursuing a master’s preferred). Network alumni work in government, media, and military, as well as in the private and nonprofit sectors.

  Does the YPN program cover travel/relocation expenses, or provide a stipend/scholarship? No, YPN does not cover travel or relocation expenses or provide any kind of funding, stipend, or scholarship. The YPN program is designed to provide only networking opportunities for its participants where they can meet and build connections with established professionals.

  Should participants reside in the Washington, D.C. area? Yes, the participants should be living, studying, or working in Washington, D.C., and its suburbs, at least for the duration of the program. The program lasts from September through May and all networking events take place in Washington, D.C., and its environs.

  Where should the application materials be submitted? Please submit your application via EF’s website. Applicants need to use access code YPN2022 to access the application.

  How long is the program? The program begins in September 2022 and ends in May 2023.

  How do you choose speakers for the events? EF tailors its activities, meetings, and roundtables to address current events in the Eurasia region. Program speakers and events vary from year to year.

  When is the deadline to apply? The application materials for the YPN Class of 2022-2023 are due by 11:59 pm ET on Sunday, September 4, 2022.

  Should reference letters be sent separately? The reference letter may be submitted by applicants along with other application materials, or it may be sent separately by the writer. If the writer of the reference letter prefers to send it on their own, s/he should forward it to ypn@eurasia.org and put “Reference Applicant’s Name” (e.g. “Reference Jane Doe”) in the subject line. All materials should be submitted before the deadline, Sunday, September 4, 2022.

  CLICK HERE TO APPLY

The post Apply Now to Join EF’s Young Professionals Network Class of 2022-2023  appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

Bregman, a partner in Dentons’ public policy and regulation practice, delivered the evening’s keynote address. He remarked on the growing demand for careers in promoting human rights and shared insights on building a successful career in this field. During a Q&A session, fellows posed questions about environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG).  

The closing ceremony also marked the program’s first in-person gathering since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fellows cherished the opportunity to deepen connections with peers and discuss ideas they learned through YPN’s events this year.

“It was a pleasure participating in this year’s Young Professional Network, and getting to know the other fellows,” said Mark Temnycky, nonresident fellow with Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, accredited freelance journalist, and YPN 2022 fellow. “The program allowed my cohort and me to interact with some of the field’s leading experts. The monthly sessions gave us an opportunity to learn more about various regions of the world and how they are all connected. It is a small world, after all!” 

Fellows can continue to engage with one another, make new connections, and learn through YPN’s alumni network. We look forward to all that these young Eurasianists will accomplish in the years ahead, building on a decade-long legacy of YPN fellows before them.

The post Young Professionals Network Unites for End-Of-Year Celebration appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.

As much as 2020 was a year of navigating a new normal, 2021 has been a year of putting the lessons we learned into action. 

While this year was not without setbacks, I have been amazed at how our team has overcome challenges with thoughtful and creative solutions. EF staff have supported changemakers, communities, and grassroots movements thousands of miles away—all while working from their own homes. I am thankful for their dedication to promoting good governance, cross-border collaboration, and local leadership this year.

Promoting Good Governance

These same values have guided us as we promote good governance around the globe. EF’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) project supported aspiring data journalists, academics, and anti-corruption activists to leverage state open data and other transparency mechanisms.  By monitoring COVID-19 relief funds, city-wide holiday celebrations, and other public spending, we’ve seen participants help their governments spend more efficiently and equitably. 

We’ve also seen how individual efforts contribute to societal change. Prozorro—Ukraine’s open procurement portal which has been strengthened with critical support from EF’s Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) project—enables ordinary Ukrainians to monitor public spending and hold officials accountable. This year, in TAPAS’s fifth year of operations, Prozorro has saved Ukrainians over $6 billion in public funds. We celebrated this and many of TAPAS’s other achievements in April at USAID’s Digital Development Award Ceremony, when TAPAS was recognized for implementing cutting-edge, data-driven solutions to global challenges.

Collaborating Across Borders 

Progress undoubtedly stems from varied coalitions working together. This rings especially true when problems span across borders. EF’s COVID-19 Response Public Health Working Group embraced cross-border collaboration to serve vulnerable populations who have been hit particularly hard during the pandemic. Professionals from different countries united volunteers, medical experts, and Indigenous communities to design and distribute public health toolkits to over 700 people. 

EF also supported a network of anti-trafficking organizations across Central Asia to host regional knowledge-sharing events and awareness-raising campaigns. In April, the network announced its partnership with Polaris, a global anti-trafficking organization. As a result, Polaris’s Global Modern Slavery Directory more accurately displays resources for human trafficking survivors in every country of Central Asia.

Cross-border collaboration also fosters innovation and connection, as participants of EF’s Social Innovation in Central Asia project know well. EF joined forces with regional powerhouses like UNHCR and IOM to launch new educational opportunities for Central Asia’s unstoppable young leaders and link changemakers with peers around the globe. This year, we held a study tour to Georgia for policy researchers and hosted global organizations at our first ever Turkmenistan Youth Forum.

Listening to Local Leaders 

The challenges of 2020 also reaffirmed our long-standing commitment to serving as both a listening ear and as a microphone for local communities. In 2021, EF looked to the resilience and insights of these communities to guide our strategy. 

We launched several new programs for changemakers advancing the rights of people with disabilities, promoting environmental stewardship, and equipping youth for global citizenship. EF also recognized Fiona Hill with the 2021 Sarah Carey Award at our inaugural Women Changemakers Forum. We spotlighted bold and passionate women changemakers from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan who will travel to Washington, D.C., as the first recipients of the Fellowship for Women Changemakers. With this program, we honor the integral role of women in creating more responsive governments and more inclusive societies. 

In 2022, we will be redoubling our commitment to women and marginalized groups, to amplifying local leadership, and to equipping individuals to transform their communities from within. 

Last year highlighted global and local challenges that required us to rethink the future we are trying to build. This year, we’ve taken the first steps toward this new future. I am thrilled to continue learning and building in 2022.  Thank you for your support and partnership as we continue on this journey. May 2022 bring peace, health, and a more just world. Happy new year! 

The post 2021 Year in Review: A Letter from EF President Lisa Coll appeared first on Eurasia Foundation.