1 belarus, our future neighbour building a civil society through partnership civil society...

1

Belarus, our future neighbourBelarus, our future neighbourBuilding a civil society through partnershipBuilding a civil society through partnership

Civil Society Development Programme in Belarus, 2000-Civil Society Development Programme in Belarus, 2000-2003 2003

Media, NGOs, Institutional twinningMedia, NGOs, Institutional twinningBrussels, 19 November 2003 Brussels, 19 November 2003

V. Kozyreff, AIDCO A3V. Kozyreff, AIDCO A3

2

Also spelled Byelarus, Belorussia, or Byelorussia, officially Republic of Belarus, Belarusian Respublika Byelarus', also called White Russia, country of eastern Europe. Until it became independent in 1991, it was the smallest of the three Slavic republics that formed part of the Soviet Union. It covers an area of 207,595 square kilometres. On the northwest Belarus adjoins Latvia and Lithuania, while Russia lies to the northeast and east, Ukraine to the south, and Poland to the west. The capital is Minsk. (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

4

Historical basisHistorical basis

5

The 1997 Tacis Civil Society The 1997 Tacis Civil Society Development Programme for Development Programme for Belarus (Belarus (CSDPCSDP) included a ) included a selection of actions in 3 selected selection of actions in 3 selected areas of cooperation: areas of cooperation:

• (a) support to the (a) support to the mediamedia• (b) support to the (b) support to the NGOs NGOs • (c) institutional twinning for the (c) institutional twinning for the education education

and training of the younger generationsand training of the younger generations

6

Objective of these actions: Objective of these actions: • to assist the to assist the democratisationdemocratisation

process in Belarus process in Belarus • through the support of through the support of three pillars three pillars

of the civil societyof the civil society..

(Council Decision of 18 December (Council Decision of 18 December 1997)1997)

7

• The programme has been financed The programme has been financed through an through an EC grant of 5 M€.EC grant of 5 M€.

• It complements assistance It complements assistance provided separately by provided separately by

• the the European Initiative for Democracy European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rightsand Human Rights

• actions under the actions under the TempusTempus, , • Institutional Building Partnership and the Institutional Building Partnership and the • Cross-Border CooperationCross-Border Cooperation Programmes. Programmes.

8

During phase I (During phase I (macro-projectsmacro-projects) more ) more than than 30 projects30 projects were undertaken were undertaken – to support independent to support independent Media and Media and – NGOsNGOs, , – to create an to create an MBA programmeMBA programme for for

Belarusian students Belarusian students – to promote the diffusion of information to promote the diffusion of information

about the EU through the strengthening about the EU through the strengthening of the of the European Documentation CentreEuropean Documentation Centre..

9

• During phase II, more than 30 During phase II, more than 30 NGOs’ projects are being NGOs’ projects are being supported through supported through micro grantsmicro grants up up to €50 000to €50 000

10

Preliminary actions and Preliminary actions and administration (as of administration (as of

2002)2002)

11

Administrative workload for Administrative workload for realisation of programmerealisation of programme

• Meeting in Brussels Meeting in Brussels • Timo Summa meets with National Co-ordinator Vladimir Shimov Timo Summa meets with National Co-ordinator Vladimir Shimov

for discussions on the programmefor discussions on the programme• Missions to Belarus by HQs Missions to Belarus by HQs • Hugues Mingarelli, Emma Toledano Laredo, Margaretha Hugues Mingarelli, Emma Toledano Laredo, Margaretha

Letterhag, Vladimir Kozyreff, Soeren Poulsen (European Training Letterhag, Vladimir Kozyreff, Soeren Poulsen (European Training Foundation)Foundation)

• 3 Missions by HM and ETL: 1 for identification of the projects, 3 Missions by HM and ETL: 1 for identification of the projects, and 2 discussions with the Belarussian government and 2 discussions with the Belarussian government

• 2 missions by ETL: 1 to assist Kiev Delegation in finalising the 2 missions by ETL: 1 to assist Kiev Delegation in finalising the technical agreement between the Belarussian side and COM on technical agreement between the Belarussian side and COM on the contents of the programme, 1 for discussion with Belarussian the contents of the programme, 1 for discussion with Belarussian officials on re-registration and other issues, TBO and donors officials on re-registration and other issues, TBO and donors

• 3 Missions by ML: 1 to update projects, 2 with VK for seminars 3 Missions by ML: 1 to update projects, 2 with VK for seminars and conferencesand conferences

• 1 separate mission by VK to participate in Conference on 1 separate mission by VK to participate in Conference on Enlargement and supervision of projects Enlargement and supervision of projects

• 4 Missions from SP to participate in steering committees, 4 Missions from SP to participate in steering committees, conferences and seminars, and to supervise the Institutional conferences and seminars, and to supervise the Institutional Twinning componentTwinning component

12

Missions to Belarus by Missions to Belarus by Kiev DelegationKiev Delegation

• Andre Vanhaeverbeke (HoD until August 2001) and Andre Vanhaeverbeke (HoD until August 2001) and spouse, Norbert Jousten (HoD since November 2001) and spouse, Norbert Jousten (HoD since November 2001) and spouse, Daniel Giuglaris, Sven Holdar spouse, Daniel Giuglaris, Sven Holdar

• 5 AV and spouse: discussions with the National Co-5 AV and spouse: discussions with the National Co-ordinator and other Belarussian officials, including in the ordinator and other Belarussian officials, including in the last period monitoring of projects.last period monitoring of projects.

• 4 NJ and spouse discussion with NC and other Belarussian 4 NJ and spouse discussion with NC and other Belarussian officials, administration of micro-projects and signature of officials, administration of micro-projects and signature of contracts contracts

• 1 DG to finalise and sign the technical agreement 1 DG to finalise and sign the technical agreement between the Belarussian side and COM on the contents of between the Belarussian side and COM on the contents of the programmethe programme

• 4 SH: 2 to participate in discussions with the Belarussian 4 SH: 2 to participate in discussions with the Belarussian government and 1 to evaluate and monitor projects and 1 government and 1 to evaluate and monitor projects and 1 to monitor projects and discussions with donors.to monitor projects and discussions with donors.

13

Monitoring visits to Monitoring visits to projectsprojects

• 8 monitoring reports summarising the 8 monitoring reports summarising the results of visits to projects for the media results of visits to projects for the media component of the CSDPcomponent of the CSDP

• 9 monitoring reports summarising the 9 monitoring reports summarising the results of visits to projects for the NGO results of visits to projects for the NGO component of the CSDPcomponent of the CSDP

• 4 monitoring reports summarising the 4 monitoring reports summarising the results of visits to projects for the results of visits to projects for the Institutional Twinning component of the Institutional Twinning component of the CSDPCSDP

• participation in steering committees and participation in steering committees and to activity of projects. to activity of projects.

14

Seminars and Seminars and ConferencesConferences

• 1 seminar for contractors in 1 seminar for contractors in BrusselsBrussels

• 1 seminar for beneficiaries and 1 seminar for beneficiaries and local contractors in Belaruslocal contractors in Belarus

• 1 Conference to present the results 1 Conference to present the results from the macro section of the from the macro section of the CSDP.CSDP.

15

Gomel

16

Specific CSDP projects Specific CSDP projects implemetedimplemeted

17

Media Support

18

Support to TBN

• improving the professionalism of journalists and technicians working in the “Television Broadcasting Network” (TBN)

19

Press project

• School Newspaper Board in Gomel

• newspaper Svobodnye Novosti Plus

Online project

• Internet-based resource centre in Minsk for the Support Foundation of the Independent Press

20

Multimedia project• intensive training on newspapers, magazines,

radio, television and online sites in EU member states focused on the workings of the European Community and the relationship between Parliament, government and non-government institutions and the media.

21

NGOs Support Programme

22

27 NGO projects

two main categories:

• democracy matters such as human rights, awareness building, NGO development

• social problems

23

Institutional Twinning

24

MBA Programme• the Higher School of Business and

Management of the State Economic University

• the private Institute for Privatisation and Managementstrengthening the capacity of the European Documentation Centre

25

Sorted by budget N° Title Budget

01-0076 The Novinki Rescue Project 89 788

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus 97 200

01-0081 Strategy of the development of youth organisations in Belarus

115 000

01-0069 Effective local Government - way to democracy 166 000

01-0071 Women’s Crisis Centre Minsk 178 260

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people 199 090

01-0098 Support & development of human rights 199 499

01-0072 Seminar/Workshop professional journalism 225 000

01-0074 Promoting strong organisational development and public awareness about NGOs activities in Belarus

326 700

01-0073 Media in the EU, Support for a “School Newspaper” and training of would be journalists, Training for journalists with special attention to journalist working for Svobodnye Novosti, Information and analytical centre of independent mass media in Belarus,

790 000

00-0281 Capacity building in management training in Belarus 1 250 000

26

Sorted by budget

0200000400000600000800000

100000012000001400000

The N

ovink

i Res

c..

Develo

pmen

t of .

..

Strate

gy of t

he ...

Effecti

ve lo

cal G

...

Wom

en’s

Crisis

...

NGO a

ssist

ance

..

Suppo

rt & d

evel.

..

Semina

r/Work

sh..

Prom

oting

stro

ng...

Med

ia in

the

EU, ...

Capac

ity b

uildi

ng ..

Projects

Eu

ros

27

Sorted by start date N° Title signature Date

00-0281 Capacity building in Management training in Belarus

20/12/2000

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus 23/05/2001


23/05/2001

01-0072 Seminar/Workshop professional journalism 25/05/2001

01-0071 Women’s Crisis Centre Minsk 28/05/2001

01-0076 The Novinki Rescue Project 31/05/2001

01-0069 Effective local Government - way to democracy

31/05/2001

01-0073 Support to School newspaper + training young people etc.

31/05/2001


12/06/2001

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people 06/07/2001

01-0098 Support & development of human rights 04/10/2001

28

N° Title End date

Sorted by end date

01-0069 Effective local Government - way to democracy 31/05/2002

01-0076 The Novinki Rescue Project 30/06/2002

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people 06/07/2002

01-0073 Support to School newspaper + training young people

31/10/2002

01-0072 Seminar/Workshop professional journalism 25/11/2002

01-0071 Women’s Crisis Centre Minsk 28/11/2002

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus 23/06/2003


23/07/2003

00-0281 Capacity building in management training in Belarus

20/08/2003


31/08/2003

01-0098 Support & development of human rights 31/10/2003

29

Sorted by EU contractors

N° Title Contractor

01-0076 The Novinki Rescue Project (No 068) AID BELARUSSIAN CHILDREN WALES LTD

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus DEUTSCH RUSSICHER AUSTAUSCH E.V.


DEUTSCH RUSSICHER AUSTAUSCH E.V.

01-0071 Women’s Crisis Centre Minsk THE EUROPEAN HOUSE

00-0281 Capacity building in management training THE EUROPEAN TRAINING FOUNDATION, SCUOLA DI ADMINISTRAZIONE AZIENDALE DI TORINO” (TURIN UNIVERSITY),


INTERNATIONAL BILDUNGS UND BEGEGNUNSWERK

01-0073 Support to School newspaper + training .young people

INTERNATIONAL BILDUNGS UND BEGEGNUNSWERK

01-0098 Support & development of human rights INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS


NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SWEDISH YOUTH ORG

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people STICHTING PSW ARBEIDSMARKTADVIES

01-0072 Seminar/Workshop professional journalism

THE THOMSON FOUNDATION

30

Sorted by nationality of contractor N° Title Contractor

Nationality 01-0071 Women’s Crisis Centre Minsk Denmark


Germany

01-0073 Support to School newspaper + training young people

Germany

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus Germany


Germany

01-0098 Support & development of human rights IHF

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people The Netherlands


Sweden

01-0076 The Novinki Rescue Project United kingdom

01-0072 Seminar/Workshop professional journalism United kingdom

00-0281 Capacity training in management training Italy, ETF

31

Sorted by duration Number and Title Duration

(months) 01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people 12 01-0069 Support the social-legal status of the Byelorussian language 12 01-0069 Effective local government in Belarus (Sapieha) 12 01-0076 Novinki Rescue Project 13 01-0073 Media in the EU 14 01-0073 Support for a “School Newspaper” and training of would be journalists

14

01-0073 Training for journalists with special attention to journalist working for Svobodnye Novosti

14

01-0072 Seminars and workshops on professional journalism for regional TV journalism in Belarus

18

01-0071 Women in crisis 18 01-0098 IHF-BHF Belarus project 24 01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus 25 01-0074 Promoting strong organisational development and public awareness about NGOs activities in Belarus (002, 054)

26

01-0081 Strategy of the development of youth organisations in Belarus 26 00-0281 Capacity building in management training in Belarus 32

32

Sorted by sector

Number and Title Sector

01-0074 Promoting strong organisational development and public awareness about NGOs activities in Belarus (002, 054)

Civil society

01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus Civil society

01-0081 Strategy of the development of youth organisations in Belarus Civil society

01-0069 Support the social-legal status of the Byelorussian language Culture

01-0069 Effective local government in Belarus (Sapieha) Decentralisation capacity building

01-0098 IHF-BHF Belarus project Human rights

01-0073 Media in the EU Media

01-0073 Support for a “School Newspaper” and training of would be journalists

Media


Media


Media

01-0072 Seminars and workshops on professional journalism for regional TV journalism in Belarus

Media

01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people Social

01-0076 Novinki Rescue Project Social

01-0071 Women in crisis Social

00-0281 Capacity building in management training in Belarus Training

33

Budget by sector

0200000400000600000800000

1000000120000014000001600000

sectors

Eu

ros

34

Addenda

Budget Number and Title addenda

160000 01-0069 Effective local government in Belarus (Sapieha) no

6000 01-0069 Support the social-legal status of the Byelorussian language no

199090 01-0070 NGO assistance to disabled people 1 budget increase, 2 budget reshuffles

155000 01-0071 Women in crisis 1 budget reshuffle, 1 budget increase

225000 01-0072 Seminars and workshops on professional journalism for regional TV journalism in Belarus

no

400000 01-0073 Media in the EU 2 budget reshuffles, 2 extensions

10000 01-0073 Support for a “School Newspaper” and training of would be journalists

2 budget reshuffles, 2 extensions

190000 01-0073 Training for journalists with special attention to journalist working for Svobodnye Novosti


190000 01-0073 Information and analytical centre of independent mass media in Belarus


190000 01-0073 Training for journalists with special attention to journalist working for Svobodnye Novosti


326700 01-0074 Promoting strong organisational development and public awareness about NGOs activities in Belarus (002, 054)

2 extensions 1 budget increase

97200 01-0075 Development of youth NGOs in Belarus 2 extensions, 1 budget reshuffle

89788 01-0076 Novinki Rescue Project 1 extension

115000 01-0081 Strategy of the development of youth organisations in Belarus 1 extension, 1 budget reshuffle

199499 01-0098 IHF-BHF Belarus project 1 shortening, 2 extensions, 1

budget increase 1250000 00-0281 Capacity building in management training extension

35

• In In August 2002August 2002 Belarus discontinued the application Belarus discontinued the application of Tacis General Rules in relation to taxation and of Tacis General Rules in relation to taxation and import duties. import duties.

• Contracting under Tacis became impossibleContracting under Tacis became impossible..• President Lukashenko on President Lukashenko on 22 October 200322 October 2003 signed a signed a

decree establishing decree establishing a « uniform procedure of granting a « uniform procedure of granting tax and customs exemptions for international tax and customs exemptions for international technical assistance projects ».technical assistance projects ».

36

ResultsResults

37

In spite of various difficultiesIn spite of various difficulties• it has been possible to it has been possible to obtain good obtain good

resultsresults in the implementation of the in the implementation of the CSDPCSDP

• The CSDP proved The CSDP proved interesting for NGOs interesting for NGOs and media, as well as for the Belarusian and media, as well as for the Belarusian governmentgovernment, as tool to promote , as tool to promote dialoguedialogue inside the highly divided inside the highly divided Belarusian society. Belarusian society.

38

NGOs and independent media used NGOs and independent media used this difficult this difficult dialogue with dialogue with governmental bodies and mediagovernmental bodies and media – to gain to gain recognition for their good recognition for their good

workwork in the society, in the society, – to to promote their valuespromote their values and views and views – to to improve their effectivenessimprove their effectiveness in in

reaching out to reaching out to marginal sectorsmarginal sectors of of the society or to the the society or to the general publicgeneral public..

39

• They are also increasingly winning They are also increasingly winning government and local authorities government and local authorities recognitionrecognition

• for the importance of their work in for the importance of their work in a number of areas, a number of areas, including including Human Rights.Human Rights.

40

• The The government and local government and local authoritiesauthorities used this opportunity to used this opportunity to bridge across the dividedbridge across the divided Belarusian society. Belarusian society.

• They They actively participatedactively participated in many in many projects and many results would projects and many results would have been impossible to achieve have been impossible to achieve without their contribution. without their contribution.

41

• Through this activity, the Through this activity, the image of image of the Civil Society improved the Civil Society improved

• in many cases the in many cases the government government learned to value the contribution learned to value the contribution that NGOs can givethat NGOs can give and the results and the results that can be achieved through their that can be achieved through their assistance.assistance.

42

We should not hide We should not hide difficultiesdifficulties

43

• This programme has been completed with This programme has been completed with comparatively few problems is, given the comparatively few problems is, given the beginning, beginning, a great achievementa great achievement..

• the 1997 CSDP could not but the 1997 CSDP could not but plant some plant some seedsseeds. .

• The process needs to be strengthened and The process needs to be strengthened and improved to reach the final goals of a improved to reach the final goals of a more more open Belarus firmly within the shared set of open Belarus firmly within the shared set of European ValuesEuropean Values. .

• Assistance by Tacis and other donors Assistance by Tacis and other donors will have will have to continueto continue in order to build up on the current in order to build up on the current positive developments.positive developments.

44

Success of the Tacis Success of the Tacis methodmethod

45

The importance of The importance of • the the demand drivendemand driven and and • dialogue baseddialogue based approach approach • to identification and implementation of to identification and implementation of

common activities/projectscommon activities/projects.. • This is at the root of the This is at the root of the peaceful, but peaceful, but

engaging Tacis methodengaging Tacis method, which proved , which proved its value in the difficult context of the its value in the difficult context of the current Belarusian history.current Belarusian history.

46

• Total budget Total budget : €3 613 277: €3 613 277• Media, NGOs and Institutional twinning sectionsMedia, NGOs and Institutional twinning sections• All projects have been concluded or are being All projects have been concluded or are being

concluded concluded • Overall results positiveOverall results positive• Relevancy of small projects obviousRelevancy of small projects obvious• Good cooperation with authorities and NCUGood cooperation with authorities and NCU• Difficulties related with delay from project Difficulties related with delay from project

design to start of implementationdesign to start of implementation• Difficulties experienced with the taxation Difficulties experienced with the taxation

questionquestion

47

• Flexibility on the Commission’s side Flexibility on the Commission’s side (addenda) to compensate for (addenda) to compensate for sometimes heavy procedures sometimes heavy procedures

• Some uncertainties regarding Some uncertainties regarding sustainabilitysustainability

48

Grodno

1 belarus, our future neighbour building a civil society through partnership civil society...

Documents

belarus csdp

republic of belarus

northwest belarus

programme missions

ngos projects

historical basis slide

aidco a3 slide

encyclopaedia britannica