Belarus

The Civil Society Index was first implemented in Belarus from 2000 to 2001 by the Belarus Support Centre for Associations and Foundations (SCAF), leading to a report presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.

CSI Country Report in Belarus (2001)

The concise report on Belarus for 2001, suggests that despite the recent growth of the Belarusian civil society organisations, issues such as weak national consciousness, underdeveloped private sector, absence of middle class and apathetic mass attitude towards public issues continues to affect the growth of these civil organisations. This has further reduced the space in which civil society has to operate in Belarus.

Towards increasing this space, the report provides a number of valuable recommendations. One of them is the integration of Belarusian civil society organisations into the international civil society networks in other to promote citizens’ interest at both local and global levels. Likewise, identifying external and internal areas where action is needed is recommended.

External areas include issues related to engagement with the state and business sector, while internal aspects of accountability and transparency, as well as in fostering geographic distribution throughout the country.

CSI Country Report in Belarus

From 2008 to 2010, the Civil Society Index is being implemented once again by the Belarus Support Centre for Associations and Foundations (SCAF).