Russia Civic Initiatives

The Civic Initiatives Program was designed to build capacity in the nascent civil society sector. ORT created information materials, extensive publishing services, NGO publications, CFD materials and handbooks on disk, NGO databases, and supplementary support services to NGO partners throughout the three-year Civic Initiatives Program.  NGO representatives had access to ORT multimedia laboratories and office equipment and facilities.  The ORT Moscow Resource Center subsequently initiated an “NGO Help-Desk” project to improve the range and quality of accessible communication mechanisms and services for indigenous NGOs throughout Russia.  The project provided counseling, on-site trouble-shooting, hotline advice, and firsthand instructions to post masters and information managers.  An estimated 4,000 NGOs used the ORT NGO Help Desk by the end of the project.