Support for outreach, education, and training in international and domestic law, expertise and best practices that build the capacity of Russians to develop and sustain laws, institutions, and jurisprudence that protect citizens’ rights and that will enable good governance at the local, regional, and national levels.

USRF is committed to protecting the vulnerable and advancing pro-democracy institutions in Russia as well as capacity building for Russian attorneys.

ROL Funding Priorities Include:

• Providing legal assistance and defending the rights of civic actors and victims of the regime in Russia including anti-war voices.

• Advancing pro-democracy institutions and initiatives in Russia at the local, regional, and national levels; and empowering people across the regions to make their own decisions.

• Establishing a network of Russian lawyers both inside and outside the country to strengthen connection and cooperation within the legal community as well as with civil society.

• Supporting Russian lawyers who are working under challenging circumstances, including facing threats to their wellbeing and safety.

• Raising legal awareness among people and building the capacity of Russian lawyers in international legal proceedings and other universal mechanisms including the UN system.

Support for independent Russian media in efforts to reach audiences inside and outside of Russia, develop IT infrastructure and innovative technological approaches, and establish sustainable business models. Support for pro-democracy Russian exile communities through training in legal, regulatory, economic, and business practices that strengthen free enterprise and private entrepreneurship.

MFE Funding Priorities Include:

Media

• Support for independent Russian media efforts to reach wider audiences

• Assistance in developing new business models

• Support for development and adoption of innovative technologies and IT infrastructure by independent Russian media

Free Enterprise

• Assistance in development of entrepreneurial ecosystems for innovation-driven startups and enhancement of business skills of anti-war, pro-democracy Russian exile community

• Support for development of strategic collaboration between relocated businesses and nonprofits; assistance in establishing partnerships between businesses and civil society

• Support for empowerment of the anti-war, pro-democracy Russian exile community through social responsibility programs and philanthropy

Support for pro-democracy Russian civil society groups and networks inside and outside Russia, including opportunities for training and capacity building. Support for teaching and professional development aimed at increasing expertise on Russia in the United States.

CSE Funding Priorities Include:

Civil Society

• Support for community building and capacity building events, including anti-war initiatives, by Russian pro-democracy diasporas outside Russia

• Support for pro-democracy civil society initiatives inside Russia

• Support for projects which aim to build strong networks of Russian civil society inside Russia and abroad

• Projects engaging and/or targeting younger audiences in Russia

Expertise on Russia

• Support for U.S. universities' educational and professional development projects which aim to bring up the next generation of Russia experts

• Support for projects designed and implemented by U.S. universities, thinks tanks, and professional associations that contribute to a better understanding of the Russian society in the West

• Projects which engage Russian scholars-at-risk who had to leave Russia because of their anti-war position