Projects

The key goals of the Belarus 2016-2020 Social and Economic Development Programme are as follows: recover economic growth, enhance the economy's competitive edge, attract investments and provide for innovative development. A special emphasized is placed on regional and local development. Despite higher economic growth rates demonstrated by regions today, as compared to the national capital, the gap between the lifestyles has been expanding, which poses the threat of sociodemographic degradation of small towns and villages. The Mayors for Economic Growth Initiative offers a state-of-the-art approach to local economic development management that has proved successful throughout the world.

Belarusian Viciebsk and Hrodna Regions are unique territories due to their proximity to EU borders and remoteness from large industrial hubs; however, job opportunities there, same as in the entire country, have been shrinking.  Private business in rural localities of these voblasts could be a source of new jobs, but now it employs less than 3% of the population. The project is aimed at improvement of the socio-economic situation in the region through development of local entrepreneurship.

Inclusion of children and young people with disabilities into the educational process and a fulfilling social life is one of the key objectives of the civilized society. The project is aimed at creation of an inclusive environment, removal of social and mental barriers to disabled people.

On September 24, 2015, the Republic of Belarus acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a year later, it ratified the instrument. The Convention provides for respect for the rights and basic freedoms of people with disabilities, their recognition as full-fledged members of the society. The project is aimed at bringing the national legislation in line with the Convention, as well as at introducing changes into the law enforcement practices in Belarus.

Water is a critical resource and a key factor of sustainable development in the Eastern Partnership countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine.  However, the problem of regional water body contamination with industrial wastewater and rural waste is highly relevant. The water services coverage of the population is rather high, though the quality is not always adequate. Implementation of the principle of basin water resource management and surface and ground water protection from contamination are priorities of set forth in the Water Strategy of the Republic of Belarus until 2020. The project is aimed at addressing the problems faced by the countries in the water sphere.