EU interested in Belarusians` involvement in civil society development

The European Union is interested in Belarusians` active involvement in the development of civil society at the local level, Taru Kernisalo, a project coordinator at the EU Delegation to Belarus, said in Homyel on January 15.

She traveled to the city in southeastern Belarus to promote the EU`s program supporting the role of civil society and local authorities.

According to Ms. Kernisalo, bids to receive EU funding for projects in the framework of the program may be submitted before February 11. It is the most efficient projects that will get the funding, she said.

Projects proposed by NGOs may deal with different topics, while local authorities` projects should focus on the social sector.

Ms. Kernisalo suggested that local NGOs could play a role in creating a better environment for vulnerable groups such as people with disability.

The European Union`s funding will vary from €450,000 to €1 million for NGOs` projects and from €450,000 to €500,000 for local authorities` projects.

The projects may be launched in the first quarter of 2016.

The EU will donate €8 million for the projects in Belarus.