The Foundation’s region of East and Southeast Europe (ESEE) consists of 22 countries in Eastern Europe including Turkey. The Foundation maintains Project Offices in six locations (Belgrade, Istanbul, Kiev, Moscow, Sofia and Tbilisi) and employs about 50 professional staff. The Regional Office is based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Most FNF Project Offices cover more than one country but the Foundation does not have programmes on the ground in all of the 22 countries. 

The main aim of the Foundation's work in East and Southeast Europe is to promote democracy, the rule of law, pluralism and free markets. The standard tool set is used for this purpose: political education, political consulting and political dialogue.