On October 30, 2025, Vilnius (Lithuania) hosted a significant event aimed at empowering the Belarusian civic community in exile. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from the Belarusian community members, civil society organisations from both Belarus and Lithuania, and representatives from ALDA. Co-funded by the German Marshall Fund (GMF), this initiative underscores that the Belarusian struggle for democracy remains vibrant among communities living abroad.
Vilnius has become a crucial hub for Belarusian activists and civic leaders, offering not only safety but also a platform for continued engagement in democratic processes. This event followed ALDA’s earlier meetings with the Belarusian exiled community in Wroclaw and Gdansk, where meaningful discussions were held to better understand the challenges and needs related to democratic participation in exile.
ALDA has a long-standing commitment to supporting Belarus and its democratic forces. Despite the challenges that followed the political events of 2020 in Belarus, we have remained dedicated to maintaining strong communication with key advocates of Belarusian democracy.
Key Highlights of the Meeting
The conference agenda was thoughtfully designed to facilitate constructive dialogue, featuring speakers and roundtable discussions.
Opening remarks from ALDA Secretary General Antonella Valmorbida and EuroBelarus Director Tatiana Poshevalova laid the groundwork for the discussions, introducing the key objectives of the Local Democracy Agency (LDA) in Exile initiative. They emphasised that the LDA Belarus in Exile aims to empower the Belarusian community representatives to engage actively in local democratic processes and promote civic resilience while adapting to their new environments.
During the first roundtable session, the annual needs assessment conducted among Belarusian exiles was presented. Belarusian community members actively participated in an open discussion, offering valuable feedback on the LDA initiative and suggesting steps for its future development. The second roundtable, led by Yaroslav Bekish, focused on mechanisms that support Belarusian civic engagement in Lithuania. Participants shared their experiences with local laws, integration initiatives, and the positive impact of existing support systems. This collaborative environment enabled Belarusians to identify concrete opportunities for participating in local democratic processes.
The overarching goal of the conference was to strengthen collaboration between Belarusian CSOs, community members, and Lithuanian civic actors. As ALDA continues to build bridges within this community, the organisation is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by Belarusians abroad. “We don’t just want to be leaders in this field; we aspire to be leaders in society,” expressed one participant, echoing the sentiment that the path forward requires collective effort and shared responsibility.
The launch of the LDA Belarus in Exile represents a crucial initiative as it works to provide Belarusian citizens in exile with meaningful avenues for engagement in their host countries. The initiative embodies ALDA’s commitment to promoting participatory democracy, community development, and inclusive governance while actively addressing the unique challenges faced by the Belarusian community members in Exile.
Through events like this, ALDA reiterates its unyielding commitment to supporting Belarusian civic engagement. By fostering a participatory model that integrates the Belarusian voice within local democracy frameworks, the LDA Belarus in Exile is poised to play an instrumental role in shaping a resilient community committed to advancing democratic values both in Belarus and across Europe.
As we move forward, our collaborative efforts will be vital in empowering Belarusians to reclaim their agency and participate actively in shaping their futures, regardless of where they find themselves. Together, we can build the foundations for a democratic Belarus, no matter the circumstances.
