ISAR | News & Publications

ISAR’s goal with the creation of our environmental directory is to provide the American public (activists, environmentalists, researchers, educators, and public organizations) with a free extensive directory of organizations and scientists working on specific environmental issues in the countries of the former Soviet Union (FSU). Talented and dynamic activists working on issues in the FSU often lack visibility in the international arena. Because issues addressed in the FSU are undoubtedly universal, there is great demand for information about local groups working on environmental causes. We have attempted to respond to this demand with our directory, and believe it will equip the international environmental community with the information necessary for collaboration.

Rather than creating a complete list of every environmental NGO in the FSU for the directory with limited information about each, we have taken a different approach. In our directory you will find groups with which we have had extensive dialogue. We have a comprehensive understanding of these organizations’ past activities and current projects. Due to the close contact we have had with each NGO, we can be sure the directory contains groups that are eager to strengthen international connections and collaborate on issues that are crucial in both America and the FSU. For these reasons we believe our directory will be successful in strengthening the US and FSU environmental network.

To make our directory as useful as possible, we have organized the groups by issue and country. ISAR works in the countries and issue areas featured in the directory. Nuclear industry, natural resources, energy, and environmental health have been identified as priorities for ISAR and are thus most appropriate for international partnerships. With the countries and issues easily recognizable, we believe our directory will prove effective in creating international partnerships between US NGOs and FSU environmental organizations. Learn more by downloading this directory [52 KB XLS] compiled in August, 2004.

Finally, we offer this directory with the understanding that it is a fluid list. Because we have taken the time to discuss the directory extensively with each organization listed, it is possible there are groups we have not yet contacted. We had hoped to annually update this directory and foster the increased exchange between environmental organizations in the US and the FSU. Unfortunately our DC office has closed and ISAR's US staff is mostly volunteer at this point, making it difficult to assure the continuation of this project. With your help, the list can continue to be a useful resource. If you have comments or suggestions about our directory, would like for your organization to be listed, or are interested in helping to maintain the list, please send your information to general@isar.org.