Support for the Civil Society in Belarus

Over the last decade, Lithuania has consistently pursued bilateral initiatives in the development of an open civil society in Belarus paying special attention to youth, independent media, education and gender equality issues.
During the period from 2017 to 2019, the following eight projects were implemented in Belarus in cooperation with the Eastern Europe Studies Centre, European Humanities University, state institution "Grodno Exhibition Hall", some private initiatives and the Belarusian NGOs aiming at supporting the civil society: The 8th International Painters' Plenary in Grodno/Training Workshop "Contemporary Trends and Tendencies in the Development of World Art"; World Belarusian Meeting of Culture; Science and Youth in Vilnius; Support to Independent Media and Pluralism; Creative Rehabilitation for Children with Disabilities "Let's Create Together"; Promoting the Use of the Belarusian Language as One of the Elements of National Identity; Social educational photography project "PHOTOSTART"; Lithuanian and Belarusian Regional Media Cooperation. The projects aimed at strengthening Belarus' civil society and cultural identity. Target groups were students from Belarus and Belarusian diaspora, youth, children with disabilities, intellectuals, scientists, media and cultural representatives.
The main objectives of the projects were the development of the Belarusian civil society's pride in its culture, identity and history, promotion of intercultural dialogue, organisation of cultural events, which include Belarusian art exhibitions, music and/or theatre performances, presentation of cultural heritage, and public discussions with artists and scientists.