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The activities of Next Page Foundation are based on the premise that equal access to knowledge and information is crucial for people’s participation in shaping the societies they leave in, and for promoting intercultural understanding. The Foundation thus aims at supporting translations and the growth of independent private publishing in transitional and developing countries. While new and mass media is largely shaping our societies today, the Foundation believes that translations and printed books still hold the biggest potential in enhancing public debate and spreading ideas.
To achieve its aims, the Foundation: - provides grants to quality publishers for translation and publication of titles in humanities which are shaping current debates on issues of vital social importance;
- contributes to overcoming intellectual isolation of certain regions and minority groups such as Roma;
- enhances linkages between East European publishers by supporting translations, networking and information exchange;
- helps building up alliances based on shared languages across borders (in Southeastern Europe, Central Asia);
- develops special programs focused on regions in Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia;
- provides information and consultancy services to publishers and organizations, and mediates professional contacts;
- supports sharing of best practices in book sectors across borders;
- helps the development and monitors the Soros Network Translation Project for support of academic translations;
- manages more than 200 publishing grants provided by Open Society Institute — Budapest to publishers in Eastern and Central Europe.
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Geographic area
The Foundation’s main beneficiary areas are Eastern and Central Europe (incl. the Baltics and Southeastern Europe), Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Mongolia as well as the Arab countries. The Foundation actively cooperates with organizations and individuals in other parts of the world who share its aims.
Organization
The Next Page Foundation’s main office is based in Sofia, Bulgaria but it works in a network of more than 30 Soros foundations and other local organizations in 25 countries. It is governed by a Governing Board, an executive director and a number of advisory committees. It also cooperates with a vast network of international experts.
The Foundation’s Board currently comprises of:
Jerzy Celichowski, deputy director of OSI-Budapest Information Program
Odile Chenal, deputy director of European Cultural Foundation <96> Amsterdam
Rayna Gavrilova, executive director of Open Society Foundation <96> Sofia, professor in cultural studies at University of Sofia and former deputy minister of culture
Sreten Ugricic, director of National Library of Serbia, writer
Kate Griffin, Literature Officer, Arts Council England, London
Funding
The Foundation’s major donor is Open Society Institute — Budapest which provides support for its projects and organizational sustainability. One of the foundation’s major projects — the Books across Borders platform for former Yugoslavia, is funded by the MATRA program of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Next Page also receives financial and in-kind support by various other donors.
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