Definitions of ‘Eastern Europe’ vary. For simplicity, we have used a broad geo-political definition. The countries in this section are situated in the eastern side of the continent of Europe and had previously formed part of the Soviet Bloc during the Cold War. Since its foundation in 1880 ORT has been active in many of these territories, through numerous geo-political changes. ORT was forced to leave the USSR in 1938 but returned in 1990. Countries in this section are referred to by their names today, with the exception of Romania & Bessarabia. ORT’s past work in this area encompasses parts of today’s Romania, Moldova and Ukraine as it is impossible to separate these activities into today’s geo-political entities. Click on each country for the story of ORT's activities there.