The European Endowment for Democracy (EED) is an independent grant-making organisation, established by the European Union (EU) and EU member states to foster democracy in the European neighbourhood (Eastern Partnership - EaP - countries and the Middle East and North Africa - MENA region) and beyond. EED's goal is to provide flexible support to democracy activists, complementing other EU and member state democracy support programmes. It is a demand-driven organisation that bases its support on a principle of fostering - not imposing - democracy and facilitating local initiatives. EED's partners and grantees are dedicated individuals, human rights and political activists, pro-democratic movements, independent media outlets and journalists.