Belarusian civil society: How it functions and what challenges it faces?

Thursday, June 2, 3.00pm

Moderator: Elena Korosteleva

Speakers: 

Alexandra Logvinova, Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of Outreach Department

Andrei Yahorau, Analyst of the Centre for European Transformation, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's adviser on development aid

Berend de Groot, Formerly the Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to Belarus  

Pavol Demeš, Visiting Distinguished Fellow, the German Marshall Fund (GMF)

Due to the political crisis and repression hastened by the authorities, civil society in Belarus is facing existential challenges of survival in an exceptionally complex environment. There has already been a wealth of assistance from the international community, which still remains high on the agenda. Understanding and evaluating the needs of the civil society and identifying the most appropriate tools with which to support it are crucial for its survival in Belarus.

The Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Belarusian democratic forces aspire to achieve a situation in which all those who need support inside Belarus - as well as Belarusians abroad fighting for democratic change in their homeland - are able to receive the necessary assistance for their activity. However, such support requires both the political will of the governments of other countries and international organisations as well as the resolution of many technical issues regarding the transfer of aid to Belarus in the context of the political repression pursued by Lukashenka’s regime. Against this background, we ask: What is the current situation within Belarusian civil society? What initiatives exist and function there and how? What needs do different organisations and initiatives have? What has already been done and what else can the international community do in order to provide better support for civic initiatives?

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