Belarus is now experiencing serious economic crisis, consequences of which had a significant impact on the lives of its citizens. Many experts find that Belarusian state, which has traditionally played a strong paternalistic role in the society, will no longer be able to provide for the same level of social assistance as it has done before. Recent depreciation of currency has been a good demonstration of that. Therefore, economic situation creates prerequisites for citizens to rethink the roles they may play in determining their own lives and the life of community and society as a whole. This proves to be particularly crucial on a local level.

We are convinced that transformation of Belarus is impossible without citizens’ participation, development of values and strengthening a sense of personal dignity. Personal responsibility for the quality of life and for the things happening in everyone’s house (at the front door, in the yard, district, town and country) prove to be necessary conditions for the development of a safe, cohesive and free society.

Presently, the majority of Belarusians find themselves in the situation, when their interests are unmet both by the government and the political opposition. Despite the fact that civil society organizations continue to fulfill an important function in Belarus, they encounter the whole range of problems. External problems consist in a considerable level of state restriction regarding possibilities for the development and in a low degree of trust on the part of the state and citizens. Moreover, many civil society organizations (not all, but many of them) encounter serious internal challenges:

• Polarization of civil society expressed by striking difference of opinions being solely “pro-government” or “anti-government”. Civil society is frequently understood in different ways; however, in a very restricted sense – as an opponent to the government, as its alternative or another instrument used to carry out its (government’s) plans;
• Certain detachment from reality (virtualization), which is expressed in a vague understanding of the needs and the interests of their target groups accordingly. Certain level of victimization of civic initiatives leads to a relative closured nature and non-transparency of their work, which undermines trust among citizens;
• Mixing community work with political ambitions also does not facilitate proper understanding  of the role of civil society organizations by citizens;
• Lack of organizational development of local civic initiatives, as well as, shortage of professional management;
• Lack of precise alternative vision (or even of attempts to create one) of a way this or that problem of the community may be solved. Target groups are not always rendered with services of unvaryingly high quality;
• Lack of focus on transformational processes as a result of lack of regular communication both inside the civil society and between its individuals, government and business.

We understand that issues mentioned above primarily constitute possibilities and guidelines for the development of civil society organizations.