Projects Culture, Science, Education and Young People

The intangible cultural heritage and local customs in the transboundary areas have not been fully studied, and they are not used in full as a tourism product, which poses a risk of losing them. It will both attract tourists and foster the areas' attractiveness and help boost their tourism capacity.

At present, the invasion of aggressive alien species is a global environmental and socio-economic problem in the world. Invasive species push out local flora and fauna species, transform and destroy local ecosystems and incur substantial economic damage, while posing a hazard for human health. It is a duty of all countries/signatories of the 1992 Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, including Lithuania and Belarus, to develop measures to prevent biological invasions, mitigate their effects and monitor them. These measures can only be effective subject to international cooperation, as invasive species know no state borders.

Тhe Reytans’ manor estate in Hrušaŭka (Liachavičy District) is in a neglected state and it is gradually crumbling now, in spite of the fact that it has been included into the National List of Historical and Cultural Assets of the Republic of Belarus. The manor is visited by about 1,000 tourists from Poland every year. However, due to some internal fractures, the facility is recognized as inappropriate for being visited by tourists (it can only be observed from the outside). As a result of the project implementation, tourists from Poland and Belarus will acquire an opportunity to learn about the local and transboundary cultural heritage, and get access to attractive cultural and historical sites.

Belarus and Lithuania are united by the history of the princely family of the Radziwiłłs, whose heritage attracts tourists to Kėdainiai and Niasviž. Preservation of the historical and cultural properties associated with the Radziwiłłs family is an essential condition for further development of the tourism potential of both regions.

The Polish city of Sokółka and the Belarusian Hrodna are united by the personality of Prince Antoni Tyzenhaus, the well-known reformer and financier, political and public figure of the 17th century. The two cities’ cooperation on preservation of Prince Tyzenhaus’ cultural and historical heritage will help unlock the region’s tourism potential.

Preservation of historical and cultural heritage properties and adaptation to tourist needs is a key task for further development of the tourism potential of the Belarusian/Lithuanian border areas.

Rural population in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine is rapidly aging. Without any perspectives for growth and development, youth leaves for cities, which results in instability of the rural sector and increases national food security risks. The project will facilitate the development of vocational agrarian education in rural areas, which will lead to expansion of economic opportunities and youth integration in agriculture.

 

Successful entry to the labour market and subsequent consolidation of one's position on it causes a number of challenges and fears for youth. It is particularly relevant for socially vulnerable young people. Based on the multi-year success of "SOS – Children's Villages", the project is called to improve employment prospects of youth in Belarus, Armenia and Ukraine.

Belarus faces the problem of labour shortage, which is particularly relevant for rural areas. The number of young people in small towns and villages is decreasing; those staying there are insufficiently active in employment issues. This project will help build an algorithm of interaction between all stakeholders and improve youth employment prospects.

The project is aimed at adapting the vocational education and training system in Belarus to the needs of the modern labour market.