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Development Trends in Belarus ` C ivil Society. Developing sectoral expert ise to fit the country development needs. About ODB . Belarusian organization directly implementing EU programs in Belarus
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Development Trends in Belarus` Civil Society Developing sectoralexpertisetofitthe country development needs
About ODB • Belarusian organization directly implementing EU programs in Belarus • Mission changed over the years: from informing international community to promoting European values and standards inside Belarus • Tribute to Vitali Silitski: developing pro-European strategy together
Belarus in2010 NGO Sustainability Index by USAID • BY lowest level of sustainability among countries of Eurasian region • In 2010 some promising trends in advocacy and coalition building • No significant developments in capacity building • Local fundraising not developed • Still in need of Intermediary Support Organisations (ISO)
Belarusians Want Reform • As of March 2012, majority of people in Belarus are for reforms and change (BISS polling) –there are weak domestic forces to push this through • 3-track EU policy: restrictive measures due to political prisoners, support to civil society, dialogue for modernization - at the same time support by Belarusians to the EU decreased • While political contacts frozen, EU increased support to CSOs over past years • US long time support to build capacity of CSOs and media – but let the EU take the lead on policy. • Disconnection between EU-linked processes (EaP and ED) and capacity: no sectoral knowledge
BY CSOs in Eastern Partnership • Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) • National Platform: from being first to least organised • National Platform prospects: strategic choice and ability to compromise, capacity to participate
European Dialogue for Modernization (ED) • Verynew – “multi-stakeholder exchange of views and ideas between the EU and representatives of the Belarusian civil society and political opposition on necessary reforms for the modernisation of Belarus” • a) political dialogue and reform; • b) justice and home affairs, including mobility; people-to-people contacts; • c) economic, social reform and sector policy issues, including privatisation; • d) trade, market and regulatory reforms • Lack of sectoral knowledge recognized by all participants: government, civic actors and EU
What Next? • Strong rent seeking environment toward external actors - government aided by RU, opposition by the West • But independence has become the major shared value across various groups – already achievement in a divided society • Long-term investment into society and people at home to aid domestic forces of change: projects that will help to keep people in the country and encourage them work on changing their own place, make them feel responsible for its future.