Commission will provide €25 million to support the democratic aspirations in Belarus

The European Commission has adopted a new assistance programme worth €25 million to further support the people of Belarus, following the brutal response of the regime to the protests against the fraudulent elections of August 2020. This new assistance builds on EU support already mobilised for Belarusian civil society, youth, students, academic staff and professionals.

The newly adopted assistance programme “EU4Belarus: Supporting societal resilience and human capital development” aims to support the democratic aspirations in Belarus. It will focus on supporting:

1. Civil society activists to promote democratic changes and human rights in Belarus.

Thanks to EU assistance, civil society activists are able to continue their work despite the very difficult context on the ground given the continuing repressions and violations of human rights in the country.

2. Students and professionals in accessing modern quality education, training and learning opportunities, including through a scholarship programme and by facilitating contacts between Belarusian and EU-based professionals and organisations.

With EU support, more than 520 students are currently receiving scholarships and almost 800 persons are involved in online trainings to strengthen their professional skills. In addition, Belarusians can also apply for short-term professional exchanges, research fellowships and grants. This new assistance will fund another 450 scholarships, 500 professional exchanges and provide additional educational opportunities. 

This programme brings the total support to the people of Belarus to over €30 million in 2022. Since the fraudulent elections in August 2020, the EU has supported the people of Belarus with over €100 million covering direct assistance to victims of repression, civil society, independent media, youth and scholarships, small businesses, health and culture.   

Background

Following the falsified presidential election in August 2020 and subsequent mass repression of peaceful protesters, civil society and media, the EU adopted Conclusions on Belarus on 12 October 2020 guiding the EU policy on Belarus. In line with these Conclusions, and in light of the Lukashenko regime's involvement in Russia's unprovoked and unjustified  military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has recalibrated its assistance away from the central authorities, progressively imposed restrictive measures against the Lukashenko regime, and increased its support for the Belarusian people and civil society.    

For more Information

• The EU and Belarus - Factsheet

Quote(s)

Today’s new assistance package is another sign of the EU’s continued solidarity and continued commitment to the people of Belarus in the face of oppression. The Belarusian people can continue to count on the European Union’s unwavering support in their struggle for building a democratic future.

Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement