Journalists who want to create innovative approaches to social issues can apply for this fellowship.

The Open Society Fellowship seeks “idea entrepreneurs” from across the world who aim to challenge conventional wisdom and are committed to achieving democracy and accountability.

Project themes should cut across at least two areas of interest to the Open Society Foundations. Among these are human rights, government transparency, access to information and to justice, and the promotion of civil society and social inclusion.

Applicants should be fluent in English and possess a deep understanding of their chosen subject, along with a track record of professional accomplishment.

The application deadline is August 1.

For more information, click here: http://www.soros.org/grants/open-society-fellowship

http://www.soros.org/grants/open-society-fellowship

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Innovation and Development Alliances, is inviting applications from prospective partners that are either Private and Voluntary Organizations based in the United States (US PVOs) or indigenous, local Nongovernmental Organizations (LNGOs) for the Development Grants Program (DGP).

The overall objective of the DGP is to contribute to improved and sustainable grass roots development by supporting development projects and strengthening capacities of nascent development partners. The DGP has a priority of strengthening LNGOs and US PVOs, recognizing that a vibrant and active NGO sector is fundamental to promoting a healthy democracy that is accountable and responsive to citizens’ needs. Organizations which receive DGP awards will have access to capacity development support, predominantly from local training and technical assistance providers, to enhance their organizational and/or technical capabilities.

Priority sectors to be addressed for Tajikistan are Human Rights, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Microenterprise.

There are two steps in the application process under this Request for Applications (RFA): submission of a concept paper and a full application.

The deadline for concept paper submissions is July 2, 2012.

Do not submit a full application unless requested to do so by a USAID Mission.

Missions will notify Applicants that have submitted concept papers by August 1, 2012 whether or not to submit a full application.

Awards will be made on a competitive basis by participating USAID Missions via grants and cooperative agreements in amounts up to but not exceeding $2 million.

Complete information on eligibility criteria, application process and other program requirements can be found on the internet at www.grants.gov (please search for “Development Grant Program” for this RFA). Any questions about this RFA should be submitted in writing to the following email address: QA-DGP@usaid.gov. USAID/Washington will collect, organize and respond to these questions by posting an amendment to the RFA on www.grants.gov and on the DGP website.

www.grants.gov

Journalists up to age 35 can apply for a free media training in Kyrgyzstan.

The School of Peacemaking and Media Technology presents a five-day training session designed to encourage open discussions on peacemaking-related matters.

Kyrgyz- and Uzbek-speaking journalists who work in print and online media in South Kyrgyzstan are eligible.

Applicants must submit a motivation letter describing past experience, willingness to work in a multiethnic team and one work sample in either English, Kyrgyz, Uzbek or Russian.

The course will be held August 21-26.

For more information, in Russian, click here: http://ijnet.org/opportunities/www.ca-mediators.net

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/www.ca-mediators.net

Bactria Cultural Centre invites beginner and professional musicians and sound engineers to attend a seminar on studio recording and audio mastering by a musician and sound engineer Taneli Bruun (Finland).

Active and qualified participants will be considered to be involved in future cultural projects implemented by Bactria Cultural Centre.

The seminar will take place in Bactria Cultural Centre, from July 2nd to July 6th, 2012. Two groups will be formed, one attending morning sessions, the other working in the afternoons.

Taneli Bruun is a qualified sound designer and musician, experienced in studio recording and live sound for international Festivals and national TV stations in Finland and abroad.

If you are interested in applying, send your CV and cover letter/e-mail message to bactria.music@acted.org, explaining:

1. Your motivation to enrol to sound engineering course;
2. Give details on your interests in music: are you a musician, sound engineer, or willing to explore a new sphere;
3. Give detailed information on your interests, studies, future plans in music;
4. If you have a precise project in the field of studio recording, please present it in details;
5. Do you prefer to attend seminar sessions in the morning or in the afternoon.

The training is conducted as part of the project “Strengthening and Diversification of the Music Production in Tajikistan” (supported by International Fund on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, UNESCO).

Bactria Cultural Centre | ak. Rajabovih 15 str., 734000 Dushanbe
Phone: +(992 372) 21-92-89, 27-03-67, www.bactria.net, bactria@acted.org

www.bactria.net

DUSHANBE — Internet access to Tajikistan’s leading independent news agency Asia Plus remains cut off for a second day.

In an interview with RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, Tajik Communications Ministry official Beg Zuhurov claimed «maintenance reasons» were behind the loss of access, which began Tuesday.

Asia Plus, however, accuses authorities of blocking access because of some readers’ comments, which were published on the website and seen by officials as being critical of authorities.

Asia Plus said negotiations are under way with officials to restore access, and the agency has pledged to publish its daily news bulletin on its Facebook page.

Earlier this year, Tajik officials blocked access to Facebook and several independent news agencies, citing «technical reasons.»

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik-news-agency-cut/24612846.html

​​​​​​​​​​Vaclav Havel’s name is synonymous with peaceful resistance to authoritarianism and commitment to individual liberty and dignity. In his career as a writer and playwright, Havel established himself as Europe’s most renowned dissident voice. During his time as president of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, Havel used his position of power and influence to speak out as an unyielding advocate for democratic voices the world over. Long a listener and supporter of RFE/RL, Havel invited RFE/RL to take up residence in Prague in 1995, planting RFE/RL’s headquarters in a city where its broadcasts were once banned.

The Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for journalists to receive on-the-job training while working alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals. Fellows will be integrated into the appropriate RFE/RL language service and expected to participate actively in its multi-media programming. Fellows will also be encouraged to publish articles in outside publications and to participate in public events and discussions relating to their regional focus and journalistic mission. Fellowships are from six to twelve months and include a stipend, housing and travel arrangements to and from Prague.

Call for applications for programs starting 1 September 2012
Deadline for applications: 18 June 2012

RFE/RL is pleased to accept applications for the RFE/RL — Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship. The Fellowship is a joint program between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and RFE/RL that is inspired by the former president’s belief in the transformational role of journalism in challenging tyranny. It provides intensive training at RFE/RL’s Prague headquarters to journalists from countries in RFE/RL’s broadcast region where media freedom is stifled and independent journalists are at risk.

How to Apply:
The program is open to promising journalists with English fluency from the Russian Federation and the European Partnership Countries: Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova.

Fellowships will be awarded on a competitive basis in accordance with the application process described below.

Applications:
A complete application includes all of the following information:
A short personal essay describing the candidate’s fellowship and career goals
Work samples
Two letters of recommendation
Curriculum vitae

**Please note that the requested materials must be submitted in English.

Deadline:
To apply for the Fall 2012 Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship, please download the application and submit your fully completed application to havelfellowship [AT] rferl [DOT] org by June 18, 2012. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Candidates will be informed of their selection by July 15, 2012

More Information:
For more information about the Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship, please send an email to havelfellowship [AT] rferl [DOT] org.
​​​

http://www.rferl.org/havel_journalism_fellowship.html

Support to Development of Social Services in Tajikistan

Publication reference: EuropeAid/132-291/C/G/TJ

The European Union is seeking proposals for the development of Social Services in Tajikistan with financial assistance of 2.2 million Euros from the Human Development Support Programme.

The full Guidelines for Applicants are available for consultation at the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Tajikistan, Adkhamova Ulitsa 74, 734013 Dushanbe – Tajikistan and on the following internet site:

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome and http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/tajikistan/index_en.htm.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 13.07.2012 at 16:30 local time.

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?do=publi.welcome and http://eeas.eu

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Barack Obama’s nominee for ambassador to Tajikistan has told lawmakers that promoting human rights and helping strengthen Dushanbe’s support for Afghanistan will top her agenda if confirmed.

Susan Marsh Elliott, a career diplomat and current deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 6 that she would encourage the Tajik government to take «concrete steps» on their troubling rights record.

Elliott acknowledged that pushing Dushanbe on rights would have to be balanced with strategic priorities in Afghanistan, which Tajikistan supports as a Northern Distribution network country.

She also expressed confidence that Tajikistan would come into compliance with U.S. sanctions on Iran and vowed to advance that goal.

Elliott’s nomination must be approved by the committee and then the full Senate.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik-envoy-nominee-says-rights-priority/24606256.html

DUSHANBE – Tajikistan’s Association of Internet Service Providers says the cost of accessing the Internet in the Central Asian country is set to increase by four percent starting July 1.

According to the independent group, the price hike is being implemented in the wake of a Dushanbe court’s order that Internet service providers follow tax rules introduced in 2011.

Last year, Tajikistan’s state tax committee raised duties for Internet service providers by three percent.

The providers, however, refused to accept the increase, calling it «illegal.»

The association said the court on June 4 ordered the providers to pay all overdue taxes accumulated since the new tax rules were announced.

The group said the increased tariff was likely to have a negative impact on the development of the Internet sector in the impoverished nation.

http://www.rferl.org/content/cost-of-tajik-internet-access-going-up-by-four-percent/24605434.html

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June 6, 2012 — On June 5, 2012, Senior Law Enforcement Advisor Dennis Cosgrove from the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office (INL) and First Deputy Director General Vaisiddin Azamatov from the Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan officially opened a two-day roundtable event for Press Center representatives from local law enforcement agencies and members of the press.

The roundtable at the DCA Headquarters in Dushanbe provided a unique opportunity for law enforcement press center staff to meet their media counterparts to discuss issues relating to the delivery of breaking news, the organization of press conferences, the handling of crisis communications, and the use of social media. The roundtable also served as a refresher course for participants of last year’s Public and Media Relations course organized by INL and conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Office of Public Affairs representatives.

During the roundtable, U.S. Ambassador Ken Gross was interviewed as part of a role play scenario to demonstrate techniques for interviewing senior government officials in a “one-on-one” unrehearsed and informal setting. The interview was recorded at the new DCA mini-studio and participants had the opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the scenario.

The event concluded a two-week visit of the FBI Office of Public Relations Special Assistant to the Assistant Director who was embedded at the DCA and worked closely with the DCA Press Center. To assist the DCA Press Center in keeping the public informed about their work and achievements, INL donated office equipment on the DCA’s 13th Anniversary ceremony on June 1, 2012. INL has invited a second FBI Office of Public Affairs Supervisory Special Agent to work at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Press Center for the next two weeks (June 6-18, 2012) in a program similar to the FBI – DCA Press Office embedding project.

The U.S. Government is committed to supporting Tajikistan’s law enforcement agencies and justice sector institutions and will continue to collaborate with the Government of Tajikistan to ensure safety and security for all citizens. Since 2003, the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement program has provided more than $52 million to support security and justice reform programs for the people of Tajikistan.

http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov/