Stefan Batory Foundation

Stefan Batory Foundation is an independent, private, Polish foundation established by American financier and philanthropist, George Soros and registered in Poland in May 1988. Named after the 16th century king of Poland of Hungarian extraction, the Foundation’s mission is to support the development of an open, democratic society in Poland and other Central and East European countries.

The Foundation’s activities are funded by the Open Society Institute, Trust for Civil Society in Central and Eastern Europe, the Ford Foundation, Robert Bosch Stiftung and other institutional and individual donors in Poland and abroad.

Its goal is to build civil society, a society of individuals aware of their rights and duties, actively participating in public life and taking responsibility for themselves and their community. It supports local civic initiatives, independent think-tanks and watchdogs. It is committed to improving the quality of Polish democracy, respect for human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. It fights corruption. It opens public debates on issues where there is low public awareness. It assists young democracies in Eastern European countries and builds networks within the European Union.