The Soros Educational Center Foundation was founded by the Cluj branch of the Soros Foundation for an Open Society in 1996. In 1998 the Center became an independent NGO (non governmental organization).

Until 2001 the Founder supported the development of local educational projects.

Since 2002, the Center has been self-sustained: its incomes are generated by fundraising activities and educational service providing.

We support community and economic development efforts of NGOs and other local community groups by

• facilitating information access in English library
• helping community groups and NGOs to design and complete projects that enhance the life of the community
• facilitating free access to e-mail service for disabled people
• partnership building with local government and NGOs in order to stimulate creative and innovative solutions

We promote the European spirit and ideas and the full integration of Romania in the EU by

• implementation of European values in education
• participating in European networks and coalitions
• facilitating participation of local educational organisations and NGOs in European directories and databases
• developing educational programmes and tools in co-operation with partner institutions from the EU

We try to contribute to the cultural life of the town and the region by

• Facilitating an exchange of ideas and social life of local youth
• Re-activating old folk traditions
• Informing about cultural diversity of Europe

We would like to be here for the people who need our services and guarantee quality of everything we do.

The Soros Educational Center`s primary aim is to serve the educational needs of the community. We offer language courses and computer courses that lead to internationally recognised certificates (German Goethe Institut, Cambridge and ECDL certificates). We organise teacher trainings and workshops and build European partnerships to work on projects sponsored by the European Commission or other institutions.

The Center conducts different research work and supports publishing books through projects. In addition, the English Language Library is open to everyone and the helpful staff are available to give advice, to help individuals interested in further education possibilities or to support and assist small NGOs in writing an application.