Belarusian bridge

Democracy and Rule of Law

Belarus

8VS1-VM-BY-VOORUD

Timeframe 01.03.2025-31.12.2025 Lõppenud

Target group Valgevene diasporaa Eestis

Budget 20 140 EUR

Funders

ESTDEV

Partners

MTÜ Office of Belarus Democratic Forces in the Republic of Estonia

The Belarusian bridge project addresses three issues that have been taboo or stalled in development in the Belarusian society.

No local government reform has worked in Belarus for 30 years. There has been very strong vertical governance and no grassroots initiatives.
There is no law on gender equality Belarus, which means that a large part of society is afraid to talk about its sexual identity for fear of being tried.
Isolation of the Belarusian diaspora in Estonia at local level. Belarusians are unfamiliar with local legislation, do not understand how local government works, how processes are put in place and what issues can be addressed to the local government.

Project objectives

The Belarusian Bridge project is being implemented with the aim of strengthening ties between the Belarusian diaspora, Belarusian and Estonian experts. The project was created to exchange experiences in the field of democratic reforms, human rights and civic participation, and to educate Belarusians in Estonia.

More specifically, the aim is to create a platform for Belarusian and Estonian experts to exchange experience in the fields of local government and gender equality, as well as to train Belarusians living in Estonia on the working processes of local governments.

Actions and results

The project is divided into three stages:

Preparatory stage (March):
- Establishment of a working group and creating partnerships with Estonian organizations.
- Development of an event programme, selection of experts and participants.
- Information campaign among the diaspora and local organizations.
Main activities (April-November)
- Meetings of the Belarusian diaspora on local government issues
- Public discussion of the Belarusian diaspora
- Workshop and consultation to develop the concept of the Local Government Act
- Roundtable and consultations with LGBTQ+ experts
- Online consultations to develop the concept of the Gender Equality Act
Summary (December)
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of the activities and planning of further steps in cooperation
- Preparation of reports

The expected result is the creation of the concept of the Local Government and Gender Equality Act and raising awareness among the Belarusian diaspora living in Estonia.

Story

Estonia-led training programme reaches 50,000 law enforcement officers in Ukraine

To strengthen Ukraine's internal security and support reforms, leaders from the Estonian police force shared practical knowledge and experience on managing a modern law enforcement system.

Story

3,000 Ukrainian prison officers to benefit from updated training materials developed by Estonian experts

The handbook and curriculum for prison officers, developed under the guidance of Estonian colleagues, support the modernization and development of prison education in Ukraine.

News

Delfi Meedia, Mondo and The Kyiv Independent launch joint initiative to support independent media in Ukraine

A free and resilient media is one of Ukraine's most important lines of defence. Delfi Meedia, Mondo and The Kyiv Independent have launched a new project to help Ukrainian newsrooms withstand the challenges of war and counter propaganda.