Recent political developments in Central Europe demonstrate that populism and anti-democratic values continue to thrive in some new EU member states. An increasing number of governments show little interest in independent oversight of government activities, protection of minority rights, media independence and the rule of law. Public discourse in some of the new EU member states has taken a particularly negative turn with attacks against vulnerable groups and minority communities as well as against NGOs promoting tolerance and accountability. Debates within EU member states on issues such as immigration and security exacerbate negative discourse at the local level. Civil society in the region seems ill-prepared to counter these illiberal tendencies systematically and consistently.

Most think tank leaders agree that more should be done, and that liberal democratic values are at the core of their missions. However, given the current funding environment, tackling these types of issues is increasingly difficult. The Think Tank Fund response is to establish a competitive project fund that will support established policy centers in the region to confront issues the Fund believes critical to open society.

By funding Open Society New Response Projects, the Think Tank Fund aims to support independent policy centers in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia to promote policy research and alternatives on political and social issues critical to effective and accountable democratic governance in their own countries. Open Society New Response Projects should reflect the core values of the applicant organization as well as tackle key social and political policy areas.

Open Society New Response Projects will provide think tanks in the region with the opportunity to:

• sustain their work on sensitive and unpopular social and political issues, particularly work that seeks to improve the position of disadvantaged and marginalized groups;
• promote transparent and effective democratic processes in their countries and to counteract illiberal tendencies; and
• advance systems for monitoring the performance of governmental institutions in ensuring tolerance and public accountability.

In line with the aim of the Think Tank Fund of fostering inclusive policy change, Open Society New Response Projects should increase public participation in policy discussions, influence public policy discourse, and help to shape the policy agenda. Projects should aim to address the full policy cycle and reach out to relevant stakeholders. Priority will be given to research and policymaking that directly respond to threats to liberal democratic governance and promotes open society values.

For more information, see the Think Tank Fund guidelines.