Belarus

In FY 2005, the Endowment awarded 43 grants totaling $1,809,629 to independent organizations for democracy-building programs in Belarus. These grants covered five fields of activity, including:

A) Election Processes

$368,060*
To educate citizens, mobilize voters, support prodemocratic coalitions, and monitor polling stations through nonpartisan election-related programs prior to Belarus' March 2006 presidential elections.

B) Independent Media

$697,450*
To strengthen prodemocratic sources of objective information, including independent newspapers, NGO bulletins, and internet sites that are breaking an information blockade imposed by the dictatorial regime in Belarus.

C) NGO Development

$143,378*
To develop and strengthen Belarus' third sector, especially regional NGOs and national umbrella organizations, through support for small grants, training, independent publications, legal aid, civic activities, and daily operating expenses.

D) Human Rights

$110,670*
To support networks of activists who monitor and publicize human and civil rights violations, defend those who have been repressed by the regime, and educate citizens about the country's human rights situation.

E) Civil Society Development

$490,071*
To support a variety of programs being conducted by independent organizations, including civic education, local government reform, and business association development.