ECHO, Inc. (Educated Choices Heighten Opportunities)

Since 1992, ECHO has maintained a presence in Siberia, where they have offices in Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk. ECHO's work in Siberia includes: operating a resource center; establishing the first free public access Internet node in the area; publishing materials, including a Russian language guide to the Internet which ACTR is currently distributing through its Educational Advising Centers; presenting seminars on issues such as career and family planning, community development and activism, media and a democracy, the democratization of classroom techniques, and working with teachers and others "to turn ideas into action" From its offices in Maine, ECHO also responds to requests from Siberians about U.S. based organizations and activities.

By 1996, ECHO had worked with thousands of students and teachers in Siberia. In collaboration with the Fund for Democracy and Development, ECHO helped to launch the Siberian Civic Initiatives Center, part of the Civic Initiatives Program coordinated by Save the Children Federation. The Center serves as a link in a chain of NGOs across Siberia. It offers nonprofit organizations free access to office and conference facilities, telephones, computers, online services, copier and training and support. By the end of its first year, the Center was providing approximately 100 consultations a week, and expecting a 70% increase in consultations in the near future.

Last updated:    August 1996

A print version of much of the information contained in this NIS Third Sector Organizations section can be found in the The Post-Soviet Handbook (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1999).

CCSI Home	Announcements	Eurasia	Opinion/Analysis	Bookstore	Site Map	Search
	Center for Civil Society International Ideas and information for civic action worldwide