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religious organizations, sports clubs and professional associations as well as
NGOs, their role varies significantly. In some spheres they have a lot of influ-
ence; in others they are comparatively weak. The role of NGOs is established
in social welfare but less so in more ‘political’ areas like human rights.
1
These very different roles reflect extensive differences in relations be-
tween the state and NGOs. At the very beginning of the transition era there
was a lack of understanding during the region of the role of NGOs in the de-
velopment of civil society – indeed, of their role in the development of society
as a whole. There is a intelligence in which the Western conception of civil
society has been artificially attached to society in Central Asia and to the tran-
sition process. Much time and effort will therefore be needed before the con-
cept is engrossed and assimilated. Not amazingly, then, although NGOs are
set up to help solve social problems, some governments in Central Asia tend
to view them as anti-governmental organizations. 
Democracy promotion was a central part of the post-Soviet transitions
and led to the funding and completion of programmes promoting free and
fair elections, judicial reform, the development of NGOs, civic participation in
political processes, and the development of independent media throughout
the countries of the former Soviet Union. While a vibrant civil society is recog-
nised as an important element of democracy building, ‘free and fair elections’
and free media organs are seen as the most vital and basic factors in a democ-
racy since they are the individual means of granting the government the au-
thority and legitimacy to govern. 
In the Caucasus and Central Asia, transition towards democracy has been
a slow development, which has in turn shaped a unreliable number of obsta-
cles to the development of civil society.
The question of NGO governance – particularly, the reasons for creating
a board of directors as the governing body – is causing heated discussions
with NGO leaders at the moment. One problem is that the position and func-
tions of governing bodies are not exactly determined in current NGO laws. All
through Central Asia, a board of directors is usually associated with direct su-
pervision – something which people who have recognized their own organi-
zations generally do not welcome. This means that a board of directors often
exists in name alone, just to meet donors’ requirements. 
The Role of Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Assistance to promote civil society and support activities by the growing
NGO community has been an increasingly important issue for the OSCE in re-
cent years as a tool to further democracy and human rights in its participating
States.
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The basic idea is that democracy, human rights and a state of law are
universal concepts, which assume a society made of free citizens, not bound
by any corporate or communal links, entering freely into associations to work
for the common good. The United States and EU has expectant the Central
Asian states to become responsible members of the international community,
supporting integrative goals through bilateral aid and through coordination
with other aid donors. The stated policy goal is to discourage radical anti-de-
mocratic regimes and terrorist groups from gaining power. Some Western or-
ganizational ties with the region have suffered in latest years, in particular
those of the OSCE, which has been criticized by Central Asian governments for
advocating democratization and respect for human rights.
2
The OSCE is possibly Europe’s most comprehensive security organiza-
tion in terms of both membership and areas of responsibility. Through the
institutions diverse mechanism, its 55 member states including Canada, the
United States, and most European and Central Asian countries address polit-
ical, economic, and security issues. In the middle of the latter are initiatives
to avert mass aggression, manage crises, and rehabilitate conflict regions. Like
the European Union, the OSCE seeks to reduce political, economic, and social
factors within societies that many consider donate to instability, radicalism
and terrorism.
Assistance to promote civil society and support activities by the growing
NGO community has been an increasingly significant issue for the OSCE in re-
cent years, as a tool to more democracy and human rights in participating
States. Support the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia in exacting
continues to be a priority for the Organization. 
In some transition countries local NGOs still depend seriously on the ini-
tiative and support of their Western donors. To increase their confidence, pro-
fessionalism and independence, and thus finally help them design, present
and realize their own professional projects, it is important for NGOs to create
strong links with their partners in other regions, as well as with main NGO
networks with many years of knowledge. OSCE missions and countryside ac-
tivities are able to approach NGOs working in the related fields and notify
them of future meetings, and assist them in obtaining visas.
The OSCE’s leverage over its members derives mostly from its prestige.
The OSCE recently opened field presences in all the countries across these
regions, and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(OSCE/ODIHR) has, since 1997, completed Memoranda of Understanding
with all the States in which supporting civil society is a central section.
Since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the OSCE has dedicated bigger con-
centration to security issues in Central Asia. Its recent projects in the region
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