Iš asmeninio Vytenio Povilo Andriukaičio archyvo.
From the family archive of Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.
First working meeting of the EECACD Commissioners
April 13th, 2021 at 10:00 CET (Geneva time), (11:00 Ukraine, Lithuania and Latvia time)
On-line meeting
Concept
The Eastern Europe and Central Asia Commission on Drug policy (EECACD) is a regionally led, independent, high-level group of “champions” for progressive drug policy reforms in the region. The commission is a collaborative initiative aiming at opening an informed debate on drug policies, their achievements as well as their related harms, across Eastern Europe and central Asia .
The EECACD will review the impact of current policies across the region and draft recommendations for evidence-based policies prioritizing health and rights. The EECACD will also aim at mobilizing public opinion and catalyzing political support for further action at national, regional and international levels.
The core group of five commissioners was established at the end of 2020. A first meeting of this group will aim at sharing and debating the general vision for the Commission, its format and ways of working, budget, and discussing next steps of the EECACD’s development.
Key objectives for the meeting:
- To introduce core group members to each other, networking;
- To discuss the general vision of the Commission’s work and its objectives;
- To discuss the current state of drug policy in the EECA region, based on four background papers that have been commissioned for the meeting;
- To discuss additional members of the Commission and plan on how to engage with these new members;
- To discuss fundraising strategies for the Commission.
Participants (7-9):
5 EECACD Commissioners (please see bios in annex 1):
- President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former President of Poland, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy;
- Professor Michel Kazatchkine, former Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Senior Fellow at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy
- Elena Pinchuk, Founder of the Anti-AIDS Foundation;
- Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, is WHO Special Envoy for the European region, former European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety;
- Andris Piebalgs, Adviser to the President of Latvia and former European Commissioner for Development.
3 experts (please see bios in annex 2):
- Alexander Kupatadze
- Mikhail Golichenko
- Raminta Stuikyte
EECACD Secretary
Program
TIME (CET)
|
SESSION
|
10:00—10:15
10:15—10:30
10:30—10:40
|
Opening and introductions of participants
Aleksander Kwaśniewski
The Global Commission on Drug Policy, and existing Regional Commissions.
Vision and objectives for the EECACD
Michel Kazatchkine
Discussion
|
10:40—10:50
|
break
|
10:50—11:10
|
Current state of drug policy in the EECA region, debate based on three thematic Policy Briefs:
1. Production, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs in EECA region
Alexander Kupatadze
Discussion
|
11:10—11:30
|
2. Drug Laws and Policies in Four Regions of Eurasia
Mikhail Golichenko
Discussion
|
11:30—11:50
|
3. Perception of drugs in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Raminta Stuikyte
Discussion
|
11:50—12:25
|
Next steps for the Commission: strategy, members, logistics, fund-raising
Moderated discussion
|
12:25—12:30
|
Closing remarks
|
***
EECACD fundraising strategy
Background summary
A regional EECA Commission on drug policy (EECACD) is a regionally led independent, high-level group of opinion leaders, acting as a collaborative initiative that aims at bringing informed debates on drug policy and its related harms, as well as recommendations for better policy alternatives.
Accordingly to its mission, aim and objectives and body of work that is envisaged, there is need in financial support for its activity. The main categories of costs to be covered are as following: work of the secretariat to provide ongoing support for work of commissioners, analytical work and development of various specific products (assessments, reports, articles, statements etc), technical work and expertise (including, but not limited to, development of model legislation pieces), respective gatherings, meetings and visiting activities (all travel-related costs).
Goals and Objectives
The ultimate goal of this fundraising strategy is to ensure funding for all the planned priorities and respective activities by defining all potential sources for funding, listing all potential donors with their profiles and potential topics/frames for funding as well as timeline for fundraising work to be done within nearest period of time (April 2021—December 2021).
In order to meet this goal, the EECACD needs to meet the following objectives:
- To have at least one dedicated staff member to work precisely on fundraising goals (secretary to the EECACD);
- To ensure support to this work by the secretariat of the Global Commission: to review and advice at various stages of fundraising process, to share all the relevant and already available information as well as formal and informal contacts, especially when contacting global and regional donors, etc.;
- To agree on timelines and to prioritize contacts/donors;
- To cultivate and maintain relationships with donors;
- To ensure development of proposal/s with required specifics in compliance with donors’ priorities and expectations;
- To ensure those proposals to be agreed/amended by the Global Commission secretariat team;
- To ensure submission and ongoing communication with donors in order to meet all the respective requirements as well as timely amendments to the text of proposals.
Currently available funding
Currently Alliance for Public Health (APH), a Ukrainian NGO, one of the Global Fund’s (GF) principal recipient, provides support to the EECACD within the GF regional grant. Its financial support is available for 2019-2021 years, but with opportunities to continue for the next three years as well (2022-2024) within the next regional GF grant.
Within these three years (2019-2021) APH has provided support for the following activities:
2019:
- Partners meeting to discuss and negotiate establishment of the EECACD, November 8, 2019, Geneva. Partners representing different organizations in the region together with the Global Commission secretariat and Professor Kazatchkine has discussed potential creation of the regional Commission, has developed the list of potential members and terms of reference for the EECACD. –10 000 USD;
2020:
- Secretary person (Olena Kucheruk) is contracted since March 2020 to support development of the EECACD (average budget is 1200-1600 USD per month, depending on scope of work reported monthly);
- Design of EECACD brochure—200 USD;
- Three experts on drug policy (Raminta Stuikyte, Aleksander Kupatadze, and Mikhail Golichenko) were contracted to develop three policy briefs for the EECACD. –15 000 USD;
2021:
- Secretary person (Olena Kucheruk) (average budget is 1500-1900 USD per month, depending on scope of work reported monthly);
- Policy papers’ translation into Russian, design and printing costs. – 10 000 USD;
- 1st informal meeting of the EECACD core group (April 2021)—20 000USD (can be re-allocated to other meetings this year);
- Official launch of the EECACD (September 2021).—20 000 USD
NOTE: Additional support is available in 2021 upon request to respective activities.
Fundraising opportunities within the next GF regional grant
EECACD work and budget will be included into the next GF regional project (2022-2024) to continue support of EECACD development and respective regional and national activities. It will cover EECACD’s needs partially.
Budget of 800 000 USD is negotiated and agreed by all partners, and planned for the EECACD for next three years (2022-2024) within this regional project. There is a high probability that the grant will be approved and the EECACD will get this budget.
According to the preliminary developed plans, we have approximate budget for next three years (2022-2024):
PRELIMINARY BUBGET_EECA COMMISSION_2022-2024
Budget items
|
Unit rate
|
quantity
|
Total, in USD
|
SECRETARIAT AND RESEARCH
|
Secretariat: salary (one senior program officer based in Geneva, including tax)
|
8 000
|
36 months
|
288 000
|
Secretariat travel costs
|
10 000
|
3 years
|
30 000
|
Financial specialist
|
4 000
|
36 months
|
144 000
|
Office and admin costs
|
2 000
|
36 months
|
72 000
|
thematic reports (2), statements (5), data collection (consultants)
|
50 000
|
|
50 000
|
First report (consultant)
|
7 000
|
1
|
7 000
|
Model Drug Law (consultants)
|
25 000
|
|
25 000
|
Sub-total:
|
|
|
616 000
|
EVENTS/MEETINGS/WORKSHOPS
|
|
|
|
Regular Commissioners meetings (once per year, 2 days for 15 participants)
|
20 000
|
3
|
60 000
|
Participation at the relevant events, conferences (to learn more about drug policy, as well as to follow up and promote report and recommendations)
|
4 000
|
8
|
32 000
|
Launch of the report (high-level event) (up to 50 participants)
|
35 000
|
1
|
35 000
|
High-profile media and stakeholders regional events (2) (including new possible formats)
|
30 000
|
2
|
60 000
|
Regional capacity-building workshops (1 event, 25 persons, 2 days)
|
20 000
|
1
|
20 000
|
Regional networking and advocacy workshops (2 events, 25 persons, 2 days)
|
20 000
|
1
|
40 000
|
National networking and advocacy workshops (5 events, 25 persons, 2 days each)
|
10 000
|
5
|
50 000
|
Sub-total:
|
|
|
297 000
|
COUNTRY VISITS
|
|
|
|
Country missions (10 missions, 2-3 days, 2-3 persons each)
|
5 000
|
10 visits
|
50 000
|
Sub-total:
|
|
|
50 000
|
|
|
|
|
COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH
|
|
|
|
Communication and outreach (social media management, website, work with media, statement dissemination etc.)
|
4 000
|
36 months
|
144 000
|
Production of the report (editing, design, layout, translation, printing, dissemination)
|
60 000
|
|
60 000
|
Sub-total:
|
|
|
204 000
|
TOTAL:
|
|
|
1 167 000
|
Types of funding
It is important, at this point in the plan, to differentiate between the various funding streams that provide revenue for the EECACD:
- International and regional donors:
- European Commission;
- Multilateral and international entities: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (directly or indirectly, within the regional projects);
- Alliance for Public Health (funds which are already available and within the next regional grant for next three years).
- Governmental donor institutions:
- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation,
- Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad),
- UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office,
- German BMZ and GIZ,
- Austrian Development Agency,
- Dutch Embassy,
- Finnish International Development Agency (FINNIDA), other ones;
- Private philanthropy:
- OSF (both PHP and GDPP),
- Elton John Foundation,
- Regional/national philanthropy: private funds operating at separate countries, such as the following, but not limited to: Poroshenko Foundation, Viktor Pinchuk Foundation, Klitchko Foundation, Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, International charitable foundation Kartu, Dmitry Zimin "Dynasty" Foundation, Mikhail Prokhorov Fund, Alfa Group Consortium.
- Resources available at the countries’ level: partners working both regionally and nationally, such as (but not limited to) the following:
- national OSF offices (opportunity to have some staff members who are covered by OSF. Potentially we may expect some co-sponsored national activities),
- regional networks: EHRA, AFEW, ENPUD, others;
They potentially can provide organizational, technical, logistic and financial support. They could be approached at individual countries’ level and to be dedicated to separate and specific events (report launch, public debates, conferences, events, visits, etc.);
Assumptions:
In formulating this plan, the EECACD is operating under the following assumptions:
- The current fundraising environment could be a challenging one due to the current economic and aid industry situation - mostly within COVID-19 related context. Significant part of the donors re-allocated their funds to COVID-related specific needs (both urgent and long-term ones). However, there is still an opportunity for our fundraising — if we accommodate and demonstrate that our priorities fit with the needs related to COVID-19 (such as decarceration, public safety, etc.);
- The Global Commission has a solid reputation globally and has respective high-level contacts (both formal and informal), friends, and friendly donors. Their advice that can be used for this fundraising as well;
- Taking into account our specificity, we are mostly oriented for more flexible donors approach with open agenda and respective funds opportunities. Project-oriented finds can be also potentially raised, but it would need more negotiations and at least preliminary agreement by some commissioners to work on a specific agenda.
Timeline:
- To get agreement on the best potential donor (end of April 2021);
- To start communication process with selected donor. Preferably with participation of Commissioners and their contacts opportunities. (end of April—beginning of May 2021);
- To get preliminary agreement with a donor (by June);
- To develop the concept (using some of documents we already have, but with more specifics and focuses to the donor) (by the mid of July 2021);
- To develop the full proposal accordingly to the format and all requirements (by mid of August 2021);
- To communicate with other potential donors simultaneously (but mostly focus all our efforts and time on the one donor to get better result).
Profile of potential donors
We may consider the following most promising donors:
- EC
- Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
- GIZ
- Elton John Foundation
- GF
- NORAD
- OSF: GDPP, PHP, Eurasia Program, Brussels office
- Regional/national philanthropy
Detailed information on all mentioned donors:
Donor: EC
Priority/thematic area:
Potential content for our proposal: accordingly to the EU Agenda and Action Plan on Drugs 2021-2025 (https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20200724_com-2020-606-commission-communication_en.pdf) we should focus on both security and public health issues for our proposal, as the document contains both priorities. Thus, we may include the following approaches to the proposal:
- EECACD will advocate for more balanced drug policy in the region, including (but not limited to) more focus on illicit drug traffickers instead of the people who use drugs. Thus, our traditional decriminalization priority suits the security issue very well;
- We may include decarceration priority, taking into account that the Agenda document also contains focus on ‘alternative to coercive sanctions’ and “drug use problems in prison”. Decriminalization works for decarceration: this is also important in the context of COVID pandemic;
- Promotion and support for harm reduction programs and measures to balance states’ drug policy in the region. Harm reduction remains to be clear priority for EU, while EECA countries have different experience and wide range from nothing in Russia till many different options in some countries (including needle exchange and OST in prisons in Moldova and safe injecting rooms in Ukraine).
The Agenda document also contains recommendations on international cooperation, including between EU and third countries and regions. Thus, we can use it to frame our proposal, also emphasizing the potential benefit on both security and public health aspects, taking into account that EU and EECA are neighboring regions.
Potential mechanism for funding:
EECACD may use following 4 potential mechanisms:
EU Public Health Program --(https://ec.europa.eu/health/funding/programme_en; info on funding - https://ec.europa.eu/chafea/health/funding/joint-actions/index_en.htm (public health)
Justice Program – (https://ec.europa.eu/justice/grants1/programmes-2014-2020/justice/index_en.htm;)
Internal
Security Fund – (https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/financing/fundings/security-and-safeguarding-liberties/internal-security-fund-police)
Horizon 2020 --(https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/)
Process/how to reach out:
As there are currently no open calls for proposals, EECACD needs to arrange reaching out to DG Home Affairs (https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/who-we-are/contact-us_en) as drug policy is under this DG (https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/organized-crime-and-human-trafficking/drug-control/eu-response-to-drugs_en). The goal is to present the key idea for their attention. Preferably this could be done at a higher level – e.g. via arranging a meeting of President Kwasniewsky/Professor Kazatchkine with the DG leadership. That is definitely the most important step. While secretary person can do all technical work (developing revised concept note for the first meeting, developing the full proposal, if the idea is well accepted, etc.), this one is political negotiations, thus should be done by leaders of the Commission. Such high-level networking will serve as a shortcut to ensure funding for the EECACD.
Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
Priority/thematic area:
The SADC's engagement in the area of health revolves around three issues: the strengthening of health systems; the fight against communicable and noncommunicable diseases; and the improvement of sexual, reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health. Thus, drug policy issues potentially can be addressed within the strengthening of health systems priority (considered as a part of public health reform in more broad meaning), and within the priority on communicable diseases (with direct correlation to HIV, TB and HCV). The SADC is active in low and middle-income countries (in both stable and fragile contexts), as well as in transition countries. Most of the EECA Commission countries are within the list of SADC’ priority list of countries
Potential mechanism for funding:
My recommendation is to look for funding within the frame of multilateral cooperation. Multilateral cooperation is an important element of Swiss development cooperation. Thanks to their long years of experience and considerable resources, multilateral organizations make an important contribution to solving problems affecting developing countries worldwide. Some 37% of all Swiss development cooperation funds are disbursed to such organizations in the form of general financial assistance (known as core contributions). Bilateral cooperation accounts for 63%. One fifth of these bilateral funds are used for projects that are directly implemented by multilateral organizations on the ground.
Process/how to reach out:
One of the ways to approach SADC is via drafting a Concept Paper (using the already drafted one with some re-focus) and arranging a meeting at one of its offices with an ultimate goal to ensure including the Global Commission and its EECA branch into the list of Priority Organizations for SADC (under the Global Funds, Networks and others umbrella). If this aspiration is too high, the Commission may seek funding via other instruments, like Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe.
Donor: GIZ
Priority/thematic area:
GIZ supports people “in acquiring specialist knowledge, skills and management expertise. They help organizations, including building capacities and experience in a wide variety of areas: health, legal affairs, public finance, communications, organizational development, education and training”. As GIZ notes itself “…long-term impact can only be achieved if all activities and strategies are efficiently coordinated and stakeholders in all sectors are adequately consulted. At GIZ, capacity development is about strengthening partners and tapping potentials.
Whereas the GIZ priorities are very broad, I may point out to a specific project in Africa that may be cited as an example of a project funded by GIZ, which may be similar to the one offered by the Commission is “Support to the ECOWAS Commission in the areas of peace and security”. That means that approaching GIZ, we may refer to the need in support for regional mechanisms in order to identify individual solutions for the countries of the region.
Potential mechanism for funding and process/how to reach out:
We may approach GIZ under the themes of Universal Health Coverage and Global Health Security as there is no specific priority for drug policy. The best way could be, again, to ensure contact with respective offices (maybe, in Berlin and Kyiv) to present them the Concept Note or at least to find out what mechanisms could be used to get funding.
Donor: Elton John AIDS Foundation
Priority/thematic area:
Among the five priorities of Elton John Foundation there are two compatible with the Commission’s goals: People who use drugs and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The activities eligible for funding include advocacy and policy work (as it is cited below at the web site). Thus, EJAF can be considered as potential donor for EECACD. As I know, they have developed their work in the EECA region and are going to stay here for future.
Potential mechanism for funding and process/how to reach out:
There are no open calls for proposals at present, but I have some contacts to be potentially used to for funding enquiries: EJAF ED: Anne Aslett anne.aslett@eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org ; Program Director: Mohamed Osman mohamed.osman@eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org.
Donor: GF
Priority/thematic area:
The Global Fund is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. GF is quite active in EECA region, providing significant budgets to separate countries of the region as well as providing regional grants on special issues (such as transition to domestic funds currently).
Drug policy issues can be part of so-called strategic initiatives, mostly within CRG department.
Potential mechanism for funding:
There are two possible opportunities/frames to apply for GF funding for drug policy related issues:
(1). Different GF strategic initiatives, mostly within SRG department (such as Breaking Down Barriers initiative);
(2). GF grants to the EECA region, within the existing frames and funding requests procedures. Currently EECACD is supported within one of such grant to the Alliance for public health.
Process/how to reach out:
The best way is to communicate directly to Ralf Urgens (ralf.jurgens@theglobalfund.org) and Aleksandrina Iovita (alexandrina.iovita@theglobalfund.org) from the GF SRG department. I am in good working contacts with both of them.
Donor: NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation)
Priority/thematic area:
Selecting from the thematic areas of NORAD (Climate Change and Environment, Democracy and Good Governance, Education, Energy, Global Health, Higher Education and Research, Macroeconomics and Public Administration and Oil for Development) it is, obviously, Global Health that somehow fits with the Commission’s tasks. The Global Health priorities include:
- Women, children and adolescents’ health
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Epidemics of HIV, TB, malaria, hepatitis, neglected tropical and other communicable diseases
- Global Health Security and enhanced capacity to detect and respond to epidemics and health emergencies
- Building cross sectoral collaborations and stronger health systems
Four factors are cross-cutting issues for all Norwegian development policy and aid (including health): human rights, women’s rights and gender equality, climate change and environment, and anti-corruption.
The potential link with the Commission’s work may be built across the priority on HIV, building cross-sectoral collaborations and Global Health Security.
However, there is a significant barrier: the prioritized countries do not include any country within the scope of the Commission – here is the link to the full list of the countries (mostly the least developed countries from Africa, Asia and Americas).
Potential mechanism for funding and process/how to reach out:
At the same time, Within the Funding section of the NORAD’s website there is a chapter on Norad’s Grant Schemes for International Organisations and Networks.
The overall purpose of Norad’s support to International organizations and network is to ensure regional and international organizations’ and networks’ ability to influence national, regional and international decision-makers. There will be no open call for proposals in 2020 for the Grant Scheme for International Organizations, and only organizations invited by Norad are entitled to apply for funding.
Therefore, there is a need in high-level advocacy (probably at the level of President Kwasniewski) to get access to this instrument. If the Global Commission is invited, the Concept Note may be submitted for NORAD’s consideration with further development into a full proposal.
Donor: OSF
Priority/thematic area:
At OSF it is, obviously, Global Drug Policy Program, that could become a partner/donor. Inter alia, its priorities include “pushing for international and regional policy reforms through our own advocacy and through our support for established drug policy reform groups”, which covers the Commission’s operations. Professor Michel Kazatchkine, being the Board member of the Program, may present the idea for EECA Commission for the OSF. Besides, synergy and complementarity with Eurasia Program and Public Health Program might help with identifying sources for funding in the best possible way.
Important note: OSF is in the transition process to the new vision, strategy and structure respectively. The OSF Global Board was waiting for the elections’ result before making serious decisions regarding the further development and priorities. As Mr. Biden is elected for the President position, it provides more opportunities for drug policy topic to remain among OSF’s priorities. The OSG Global Board meeting will be held by the end of 2020, then some general details became available. After that, all Network Programs (including GDPP, PHP and Eurasia Program) as well as all National Foundations will revise their strategies respectively. That will be definitely the right time to put drug policy into OSF agenda.
There are some prospects for drug policy issues within OSF strategy/structure. There are new priorities, including those, which have been developed as response to COVID-related challenges, including the following potential thematic areas:
- In COVID pandemic era decarceration became an obvious priority for public health, security and other state systems. Decarceration currently is in a top priority within many different OSF Programs, it became a kind of cross-cutting priority. Decriminalization and depenalization of simple drug possession can be considered as one of the way for decarceration;
- Vulnerable groups, their dignity and human rights will remain among key priorities for OSF. It can be re-framed in other way, but it will remain for sure.
Potential mechanism for funding:
There are two possible ways to get funds from OSF: (1). Open calls for proposals; (2). negotiated grants. I would suggest the second option.
There is only one limitation with this potential donor: OSF usually does not provide such big grants, as we need for 2 years work of the EECACD.
Process/how to reach out:
Obviously, OSF may be approached via a plethora of formal and informal contacts. The Concept Note may be presented for consideration for the Programs I mentioned and then the best solution might be identified for actual funding of the Commission’s activities.
Regional/national philanthropy
Ukraine:
Poroshenko Foundation: http://poroshenko.com/en?section=ano
The private fund supported by Petro Poroshenko, ex-President of Ukraine. Key priorities include promotion of justice, equality and freedom for everyone. There are three main programs: (1) Inclusive education of children with special educational needs; (2) Cultural and spiritual development; and (3) Ukraine is the only one. They also conduct some International activity aimed at establishing dialogue and cooperation with governmental and non-governmental international organizations to achieve results in charitable projects to implement such universal values as mutual respect, equality, assistance, humanity, freedom, spirituality and humanism into the life of Ukrainian society. There is a prospect we may approach them with a request for cooperation.
Viktor Pinchuk Foundation (https://pinchukfund.org/ua/)
An international, private and non-partisan philanthropic foundation based in Ukraine. It was established in 2006 by Victor Pinchuk, businessman and philanthropist
The vision of the Foundation: everyone has the power to act; empowered future generations can be a major driver of change; long-term and large-scale social investments can create a favorable environment enabling people to take their destinies into their own hands.
The Foundation invests into three main areas: (1) in people, to boost human capital, (2) in society, to promote social responsibility, and (3) in the world, to foster a more integrated world.
There are many different projects under those 3 categories. Investing into people is mostly focused on culture (PinchukArtCentre), education Zavtra.UA, WorldWideStudies, Public Lectures), and some health issues, such as neonatal support (Cradles of Hope). Investments into societal development are centered around cultural, social and political issues such as: Davos Philanthropic Roundtable, Platform dobro.ua, Babyn Yar, Holocaust Memorial Center, Veteran Hub, Jewish communities. Investments into the global developments focus on rooting European values in Ukraine as well as promoting the image of Ukraine at the international level: Yalta European Strategy, Davos Ukrainian Breakfast, Ukraine House Davos, The Munich Ukrainian Lunch, Security Roundtable, Atlantic Council, Amicus Europae Foundation, Brookings Institution, Open Ukraine Foundation
My suggestion is that EECACD may engage with some of the above mentioned international platforms (Yalta, Davos, e.g.) to present new innovative drug policy for the high-profile audiences, such as politicians, financiers, economists and philanthropists.
Klitchko Foundation (https://www.klitschkofoundation.org/en/about/)
The foundation is the charity project of Klitchko brothers, former boxers. The key group of beneficiaries is children. The Foundation’s vision is to make kids’ dreams true. The foundation works in three spheres: sport, science, and education. The projects they support mostly focus on sport activities, providing new opportunities for children to be involved into sport. Educational projects seek to promote environmental-minded approaches and provide opportunities to develop individual skills via creating and supporting various new platforms and formats for education.
The Klitchko foundation has never supported drug-related issues previously. Vladymyr Klitchko is currently the Mayor of Kyiv city, capital of Ukraine, and is one of the leaders of the Fast Track Cities Program (the UNAIDS program to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030) https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/campaigns/World-AIDS-Day-Report-2014, https://www.fast-trackcities.org/cities/kyiv)
I would advise our inquiry related to their interests to children and to HIV/AIDS issues in association with drug policy.
Rinat Akhmetov Foundation (https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en)
There are three main programs/priorities of the foundation:
- Saving lives (https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en/rinat-ahmetov-poryatunok-zhyttiv). Within this direction the Foundation has been providing support to fight COVID-19 in Ukraine (mostly procuring equipment to hospitals, modern ventilators, sample analysers, as well as protective equipment for doctors and rapid tests), as well as procurement of more than 200 ambulance vehicles for Ukraine.
- Here to help (https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en/rinat-ahmetov-dopomozhemo) program is aimed at humanitarian aid to people who are affected by the armed conflict in the Donbas region.
- Rinat Akhmetov to children (https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en/rinat-ahmetov-dityam) is a program of providing help to children with medicines, food packages, innovative implants; psychological and physical rehabilitation; complex surgeries.
The foundation had provided support to fight tuberculosis in Ukraine. In 2008-2014 the ‘Let’s stop tuberculosis in Ukraine’ Program (https://akhmetovfoundation.org/en/project/zupynymo-tuberkuloz-v-ukraini-_3091) had significantly contributed into developing of new approaches to existing old and out-dated TB system in Ukraine.
Georgia:
International charitable foundation Kartu
The foundation is the private foundation of Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is a Georgian politician, businessman, and philanthropist. His Foundation provides support for the following spheres; culture, sport, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, ecology, education and science. Within the healthcare component the foundation has provided support for technical equipment and renovation of some hospitals in Georgia as well as some individual support for technically complex surgeries for Georgians abroad.
There is no official or open information about the Foundation and its activity.
Russian Federation:
There are multiple private charitable foundations in Russian Federation, such as:
None provides support to drug policy or even to HIV or other related spheres. It is very unlikely that any of mentioned above would ever consider supporting drug policy, taking into account clear and strict position of the RF Government on drug-related issues. Moreover, there are significant reputation risks to the EECACD to considering any support by the mentioned foundations as all of their fortunes are directly connected to the rule of Vladimir Putin.
There are three Russian private foundations, which we may consider approaching potentially:
1. Dmitry Zimin "Dynasty" Foundation (https://www.dynastyfdn.com/english/-- archive version of the web-site)
It officially closed its activities in 2015 due to the oppression of the Russian government. The Foundation does not exist anymore, but Dmitry Zimin and his son Borys Zimin continues their support for various projects, though there is not much information publicly available. There is need in personal contact only if considering his support.
1. Mikhail Prokhorov Fund (http://prokhorovfund.com/) The Found provides support mostly in two spheres: (1) art and cultural projects, and (2) education and science.
2. Alfa Group Consortium (http://alfagroup.org/). One of the largest privately owned investment consortiums in Russia. Among other activities they support annual electronic music festival –Alfa Future People (https://allfest.ru/tags/alfa-future-people-afp). Potentially they might be interested in supporting drug policy issues, taking into account that there are drug use and overdose episodes happened during the Festival.
This fundraising strategy is flexible and working document. It can be amended accordingly to new information or opportunity appears.