The Soros foundations network includes Soros foundations that operate in individual countries or regions; the Open Society Institute (OSI) and its offices; OSI initiatives supporting the work of the Soros foundations; and U.S. Programs, which are initiatives that operate in the United States only. These foundations and initiatives operate in more than 50 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The OSI initiatives cover a range of activities aimed at building free and open societies, including the strengthening of civil society; economic reform; education at all levels; human rights; legal reform and public administration; media and communications; public health; and arts and culture.
The organisation states that the concept of open society is based on the recognition that people act on imperfect knowledge and that no one is in possession of the ultimate truth. In practice, an open society is characterized by the rule of law; respect for human rights, minorities, and minority opinions; democratically elected governments; a market economy in which business and government are separate; and a thriving civil society.
The site details the initiatives, includes publications and details of grants.