• $300,000Active Strategy

  2012 (Duration 3 years)

  Human Rights & International Justice

  MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Founded in 1976 by a group of Soviet dissidents and acquiring a legal existence in 1998 under Mikhail Gorbachev, Moscow Helsinki Group is the oldest Russian human rights organization. Today, Moscow Helsinki Group remains one of Russia's leading human rights groups. The purpose of the project is to improve the transparency of the Russian courts through monitoring court proceedings in three regions of Russia. The methodology for monitoring would be developed through wide discussion with stakeholders. The project would generate informed discussion about the justice system. Foundation dollars would be spent on salaries, conferences, roundtable discussions, and travel expenses.

• $750,000Active Strategy

  2011 (Duration 4 years)

  MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions

  MOSCOW, RUSSIA — This MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions will enable Moscow Helsinki Group (MHG) to obtain additional office space in Moscow, thereby providing security and stability for the non-profit. MHG is Russia's oldest human rights advocacy group, founded in May 1976 by a group of activists to monitor the USSR's observance of its human rights obligations. Closed down by the authorities during 1982-1989, today MHG continues to play a leading role in the Russian human rights movement, conducting advocacy, publicizing violations, publishing reports, collaborating with a national network of human rights groups, and training human rights activists and government officials.

The MacArthur Foundation awarded Moscow Helsinki Group $1,050,000 between 2010 and 2013.