Belarus ranks 61^st (2010) in the HDI (Human Development Index) published by the UNDP, which annually monitors the social and economic development of countries around the world. The country has maintained its strong political, economic and military dependence on Russia, while the Belarusian economy is largely dependent on Russia for its raw materials. Good relations with the Belarusian people and the development of Belarus hold significant importance for Poland, which is ready to share with Belarus its experiences gained during systemic transformation. As a result of growing interest in the developments in Belarus, the country has been invited to join other Eastern Partnership countries, with a view to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the European Union and Minsk. Since 2006, Belarus has been a recipient country of Poland's official development aid.

2010

Projects carried out in 2010 match the main areas of support covered by the Polish foreign aid programme for the Republic of Belarus and include media initiatives, the promotion of democracy, good governance and stability (especially in the economy), civil society building and support for welfare programmes.

2010 saw the implementation of 17 development projects in the Republic of Belarus that were implemented by non-governmental organisations, government administration, local government entities and R&D institutes. In addition, the MFA of the Republic of Poland (Department of Implementation of Development Programmes and Polish Embassies in Copenhagen and Minsk) together with the Danish MFA and the Danida Fellowship Centre carried out a project called "Enhancing the Competencies of Belarusian Journalists Through Training and Information Activities in Poland and Denmark." The project provided merit-based support to Belarusian journalists, including in the fields of as media cooperation with European Union Member States. The project's budget amounted to over PLN 130 000.

In 2010, over PLN 22.5m was allocated to aid programmes in Belarus. The following projects - see enclosed list - are  being implemented.

2009

In 2009, aid was channelled into four main areas:

• access to objective information,
• civil society building (in particular, supporting independent non-governmental organisations, small business associations),
• development of local self-government and transborder cooperation,
• supporting good governance initiatives.

In 2009, 40 projects were implemented with partial financing of over PLN 3.3m. This amount does not include funding for MFA three radio and television co-production projects: Belsat TV - approx. PLN 20.7m,  Radio Racja Belarus - approx. PLN 2.9m and the European Radio for Belarus - approx. PLN 398 000.

More information on all 2009 projects can be found in the Annual Report on "Poland's Development Co-operation Programme" (see: Documents and Publications).

2008

In 2008, Poland provided aid in the following areas:

• access to independent information (support for electronic media, local press and Websites providing information content, and traineeships and trainings for journalists);
• development of civil society (in particular support for independent NGOs, small business associations and youth exchanges);
• development of local government (traineeships and specialist training, transborder cooperation);
• support for independent culture and the Belarusian language,
• scholarship aid.

In 2008, 35 projects were implemented with partial financing of over PLN 5.9m. This amount does not include funding for two MFA radio and television co-production projects: Belsat TV - PLN 19m and Radio Racja Belarus - PLN 906 000.

More information on all 2008 projects can be found in the Annual Report on "Poland's Development Co-operation Programme" (see: Documents and Publications).