The Forum of Culture and Arts of Uzbekistan Foundation, also known as The Fund Forum, established in February 2004, was an NGO in Uzbekistan, pursuing the goal of supporting domestic science, culture, education and sports. Among the founders and trustees of the Fund were famous figures of culture and arts from Uzbekistan and foreign countries. Chairperson of Board of Trustees was Gulnara Karimova. The Fund Forum was the biggest public organisation in Uzbekistan, and it expanded its international activities, currently it has representative offices in Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Paris, Vienna, Geneva, Madrid, New York City, Berlin and London. The NGO was closed in November 2013.
International cooperation The Foundation had representative offices in Moscow, Beijing, Tokyo, Paris, Vienna, Geneva, Madrid, New York City, Berlin and London. The cultural contacts with partners in various cities of Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Russia, Egypt, China, Japan, France, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Belgium and other countries of were established as well. The Fund Forum was the first among public organizations of Uzbekistan to become an official partner of UNESCO. In March 2007, the two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Also, memorandums of cooperation were signed with the British Council, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Uzbekistan, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, Cristiano Ronaldo Foundation, the Austrian Association of Retirees, China Association for the Advancement of International Friendship, the National Museum of Korea, Nagoya State University, Moscow State Linguistic University, Cultural Development Fund of Egypt, Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum Foundation, International Friendship Exchange Council, Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Louvre (France), Cervantes Institute (Spain), Birmingham Metropolitan College (UK) and Samuel Eto`o Foundation. In 2010, the Fund Forum was granted Consultative Status with the ECOSOC.
Partner organizations
Kelajak Ovozi Youth Initiatives Centre (YIC) "Kelajakovozi" Youth Initiatives Centre was founded by winners of various youth projects of the Fund Forum in March 2006 and became one of the leading youth organizations in Uzbekistan. The uniqueness of the centre was that initiatives and projects of young people were created and implemented by participants themselves.
“In the Name of Life” National Breast Cancer Association
The Association was established as part of the Programme of Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer and Rehabilitation of Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer, adopted during the round-table “Joining Forces to Address Breast Cancer and Other Cancerous Diseases”. The round-table was organized by the Women's Council Public Association, “In the Name of Life” Association of Women, EUROPA DONNA-Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Health, and the Social Initiative Support Fund (SISF). United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with National Association on Breast Cancer "In the Name of Life" regularly holds training on the specifics of breast cancer for professors in Uzbekistan As many as 20,000 people joined the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Uzbekistan Race for the Cure on May 1, 2012, to say no to breast cancer. The event was organized by Fund Forum, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the National Breast Cancer Association, and the Women's Council, the race sought to raise public awareness of breast cancer and raised funds to support efforts in Uzbekistan to fight the disease, which claims millions of lives worldwide. All told, over 100,000 people across the Republic joined the marathon since 2010.
NGO “Forum of Socially Responsible Citizens of Uzbekistan” NGO “Forum of Socially Responsible Citizens of Uzbekistan” was founded in December 2011. The primary goal of the NGO was to create an interactive system of supporting socially responsible citizens, small businesses, grant recipients as well as regional activists directly involved in the realization of the Forum's charter goals and objectives which included, but were not limited to, the involvement of participants on a voluntary basis in social programs and projects as partners; provision of administrative support for participants’ relevant proposals; and carrying out public control in practice. In 2012, the Forum considered 5,000 applications through its 14 information centers. About 4,000 people received free consultation on interested issues and the forum supported 300 business projects and helped to receive grants and loans worth 4 billion soums, realize social projects and protect social-oriented business. Over 600 new jobs were created due to implementation of these projects.
Social Initiatives Support Fund (SISF) Consolidation of efforts of active civil society citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan as to the improvement of quality of life of those who need social support. In 2011, SISF obtained consultative status at The United Nations Economic and Social Council which allows to bring recommendations in respect of the cultural and humanitarian cooperation, the promotion of dialogue between nations, education, science, culture, art, health promotion and charity
Women`s Council Women's Council was a voluntary association, established in 2005 by the women who were brought together for family care, safe motherhood, proper upbringing of the future generation. Therefore, children, women and families were in the focus of Women's Council.
Mehr Nuri Charity Foundation Established in July 2004, MehrNuri (Light of mercy) Foundation gave itself the goal of organizing charitable activities, providing financial aid for low-income families in Uzbekistan, providing sponsor aid for medical, educational and other social institutions engaged in healthcare, providing support for small and medium-sized, family and women's business as well as supporting talented youth. In 2012, it was reported that Mehr Nuri Foundation reconstructed orphanage No.22 in Tashkent, also constructed and equipped the sport complex on territory of Tashkent Pediatrician Medical Institute.
Main areas of focus
Culture and Arts
Art Week Style.uz was annually organized by the Fund Forum jointly with Dom Stilya (House of Style) since 2006. The project presented a diverse art-menu of catwalk shows, presentations, master-classes from arts and culture professionals, applied art, design and fashion exhibitions, rarities expositions, auctions, competitions for young designers, National Dress Festival, concerts of world music stars, and social events. World famous designers, jewelry and fashion brand owners, showbiz celebrities, fashion magazines’ editors, public figures, representatives of mass media from many countries participated in the Tashkent Art Week. Art Week Style.uz was a crossroads of arts, traditions and modernity. For years, the Week impressed with its scale and dynamics, versatility of its events and attracted increasing attention from famous figures. Being also directed to international cooperation in different arts spheres development and creative personalities support, the Art Week Style.Uz was organized with support from significant local and international institutions, public organizations including UNESCO, the British Council, Goethe Institute in Tashkent, French Institute, etc.
Asrlar Sadosi Festival of Traditional Culture was a project of the Fund Forum which presented all the diversity of the national traditions and customs, handicrafts and cuisine, unique oral and intangible heritage. The festival was organized annually since 2008 in cooperation with the UNESCO Tashkent Office. Every year the Festival was held in different regions of Uzbekistan in historical or cultural centers as an out-door fete. Each of these places had its unique heritage and centuries-old traditions passing from generations to generations.
«Navkiron O’zbekiston» Festival (Young Uzbekistan) Festival of Traditional and Contemporary Arts held once in two years was one of the first youth projects of the Fund Forum aimed at discovering and supporting young artists and masters of applied art. For the first time the Festival took place in 2004 in Tashkent. Young artists and masters under 35 with art education participated in the event from all over the country. The motto of the «NavkironO’zbekiston» Festival was «The modern view of traditional arts of Uzbekistan!» Participants presented their original works, reflecting new perception of well-known styles of art by young artists and masters. A unique mix of the historical traditions and modern trends, of past and present, of East and West was notable in such pieces.
«Bazar-Art» Exhibition-Fair was one of the most vibrant events in the cultural life of the capital city Tashkent, which took place in the Center of National Arts of the Fund Forum twice a year. It had been established in 2007 in cooperation with IJOD Association of Artists, Art Historians and Craftsmen. The exhibition gathered the best masters of applied art from all parts of the country, among them representatives of artists` families and young craftsmen. The project was aimed at discovering the creative potential in modern applied arts, introducing wide public with the most interesting trends in this field, supporting creative dynasties and talented craftsmen as well as preserving and enhancing of national heritage.
M&TVA аward ceremony of music, TV and video art was established by the Fund Forum jointly with the Authors and Performers Guild of Uzbekistan and TVM channel in 2006. The main goal of the award was to discover and encourage outstanding representatives of various spheres, contributing to the development of national arts and culture. Prominent singers and young talents performed during the award ceremony. Celebrities of TV, radio, theatre, cinema and show business participated in the ceremony as guests.
International Theatre Festival “Theatre.UZ” established in cooperation with the Youth Theatre of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Culture and Sports Affairs of Uzbekistan and Uzbek theatre Artistic Association, in 2010, for the purpose of further bringing theatre cultures of various countries closer together for a better mutual understanding, mutual respect, and internalization of theatre traditions and to expand friendly and artistic contacts, and to enrich theatre life in Uzbekistan by demonstrating the achievements of local and foreign theatres.
Tashkent International Cinema Forum “Golden Guepard” The primary goals of the Cinema Forum were to attract extraordinary cinema works that reflect trends in global cinematography; consolidate and develop international links in cinema; contribute to the development and popularization of national cinema, promote and advocate Uzbek films; present Uzbekistan’s unique historical legacy to attract representatives of global cinema industry; familiarize the local public with leading contemporary films; and discover young talented cinematographers and support their professional endeavors.
Youth and Education “Kelajakovozi” Talented Youth Contest annual competition “Kelajakovozi” (Voice of the Future) was one of the most large-scale youth projects in Uzbekistan. It was held among participants, aged from 15 till 25 years in four nominations
“Kelajakovozi” Youth Initiatives Center was launched by initiative of young people and winners of Fund Forum projects. The activities were carried out in seven directions: information technologies, support of youth initiatives, education, association of intellectual clubs, youth press centre, culture and arts, international youth cooperation.
Grant programs for students and teachers Program of Scholarships for Gifted Students active since 2006 designed to encourage and support talented and active junior and senior students. In 2012, about 100 became winners and 90 mln UZS was made available.