Press Freedom in Eastern Europe
De Boomgaard Foundation was established on May 12, 2005 as a private grant-giving foundation.
The founders are two philanthropists who wish to support youth and children, initiatives to advance climate justice and local heritage and innovations. The foundation is partnering with ambitious charities or non-for profit organisations. It was ranked as public benefit organisation (ANBI) and can make and receive tax-free donations.
The mission of Stichting 2 Oktober is to support independent journalism in Russia and the CIS countries. Freedom of the press and freedom of information are vital for gathering and distributing reliable, fact-based news, making this available to everyone.
The Moscow Times produced two multi-media projects:
- The first project was about the generation of young people who grow up in Russia under President Putin
- The second about Mothers and Daughters and the changing role of women in Russia.
IWPR gives a voice to citizens, journalists and human rights activists in war zones and countries in transition. IWPR trains and provides platforms for local reporters, strengthening the institutional capacity of local media and community groups, to create space for a locally constructive debate.
- Period: Period: 2021 – Now
- Location: Russian
- Website: Http://www.stichtingpotamos.org
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia briefly entered an era of press freedom. That progress slowed down after the Yeltsin-era and has been sharply reversed since the invasion of Ukraine – making independent journalism increasingly dangerous and illegal. Many journalists had to flee their country after 24 February 2022.
The archive of The Moscow Times with articles between 1992 and 2016 was not fully digitalized and hence not available to readers. De Boomgaard helped to make this archive accessible through, among other things, a comprehensive search function and an archive landing page.
- Period: 2023 – Now
- Location: The Netherlands
- Website: http://www.wonderzine.com
In April 2022, Wonderzine was banned by the Russian government primarily because of its support for the LGBTQIA+ community. This ban led to the immediate loss of half its readership in Russia as well as significant advertising revenue, dealing a severe blow to the magazine’s sustainability.
Potamos mission is supporting independent journalism in Russia. Foundation De Boomgaard, which contributed earlier to the relocation of Russian journalists to Amsterdam, contributes to a Master in Business Administration of an employee to help her in commercial management of The Moscow Times and Dozhd (TV Rain).
Artists against the Kremlin is the world’s largest exhibition of anti-war and dissident Russian-speaking artists held in Amsterdam. A catalogue was published also.
- Period: 2024 - now
- Location: Ukraine
- Website: http://www.emilefoundation.org
The Emile Foundation (before: Orphans Feeding Foundation) takes part in the “Bring Kids Back UA” programme, were children deported from Ukraine to Russia are traced and taken back home.