MPSF launched a review of web sources on local government. Russian and international web sources included in the listing feature information on good governance and responsible leadership at the local level, on fiscal decentralization and intergovernmental relations in general, municipal management (covering both theory and best practices). Other topics eligible for the listing are citizens' participation in local development, citizens' education, the role of NGOs and CBOs at the municipal level. The review is addressed to a broad community of Russian and fSU (where Russian is still broadly used as a language of communication) experts and practitioners of local government. If you wish to present your web site in our listing see details below.

The Moscow Public Science Foundation with support from USAID announces a grant competition for Russian economic policy think tanks. Application deadline is March 1, 2005.

• You can learn about our programs and projects aimed at facilitating progress in the area of the humanities, social and political knowledge in Russia and contact us if you wish to get involved;
• We can reach out to you and raise your awareness about what we do in the area of policy research, dissemination of information, training, institution building in Russia and invite you to cooperate.

The Board of the Strengthening Economic Think Tanks in Russia has discussed topical priorities for the up-coming 2005 Regular grant competition. The competition for Russian independent think tanks will be announced soon.