Eurasia Moldova reorganized into East Europe Foundation

The Representative Office of Eurasia Foundation in Moldova has been transformed into the East Europe Foundation that will be a local one. The new organization will continue the work of Eurasia Foundation in Moldova and provide support to nongovernmental organizations in promoting democracy and strengthening the market economy, Info-Prim Neo reports. The East Europe Foundation (EEF) was registered with the Ministry of Justice on November 3, 2009 and will start work on June 1, 2010. EEF president Sorin Mereacre said Eurasia Foundation transfers its programs and financial resources to the local team. “We will continue to provide grants to NGOs, the mass media and other organizations. During 17 years, Eurasia Foundation offered grants and technical assistance to the value of over US$6 million to about 150 NGOs. We hope the East Europe Foundation will maintain the same standards,” Mereacre said during a news conference on April 15. The EEF means internal financing as well. “We cannot be financed only by the U.S. Government. In order to achieve our objectives, we must have access to internal financial resources,” the president of the EEF said. According to him, effort is made to develop the sponsorship culture in Moldova and attract more companies that can contribute to the social development. At a recent meeting, the EEF's supreme body, the Board of Directors, agreed the development strategies and the organizations' budget for 2010, which totals US$1.700 million. The Board includes representatives of businesses from Moldova and abroad, former foreign ambassadors and persons who hold important positions in international organizations. The Board's chairwoman Silvia Radu, who is the executive director of RED Union Fenosa, said the creation of the EEF represents a step towards developing democracy. “The EEF team will implement programs of major importance for the society and will contribute to the sustainable development of the civil society in Moldova,” Radu said. “By opening the EEF in Moldova, we remain in continuation attached to the people of this country and trust that Moldova will have a stable and modern future,” said the president of Eurasia Foundation William Horton Beebe-Center. The EEF will focus on economic development, good governance and social actions.