Belarusian national youth coucil

Belarusian National Youth Council “RADA” is a voluntary union of 44 youth organizations, being created with the purpose of consolidating of youth organizations and initiatives of Belarus. “RADA” operates in the areas of representation, promotion and defending common interests and freedoms of youth organizations and young people of Belarus. Today, RADA unites 44 independent youth organisations and initiatives working in the fields of human rights, non-formal education, civic participation, culture, and youth policy. It was originally established in 1992. Due to political repression and restrictions on freedom of association, the Supreme Court of Belarus liquidated RADA in 2006. Since then, RADA, like many other independent organisations, has been forced to operate underground and later in exile. In 2014, RADA re-registered in Lithuania to ensure the continuation of its legal existence and international activities. In 2024, it was further labelled an “extremist formation” by the Belarusian regime, underscoring both its independence and the risks faced by its members. RADA pursues to the following objectives: ● Contribute to sustainable development of RADA’s member organizations through educational programs and collaborative work; ● Increase capacity of the member organizations and RADA in research work on youth issues, advocacy and lobbying for youth rights, youth participation in developing youth policy and strengthening the role of the youth civil society organizations in the political life of Belarus; ● Provide information on youth issues and youth rights at local, national, European and international levels; ● Strengthen cooperation between the Belarusian youth civil society organizations and European structures and international organizations; ● Enhance the sustainability of democratic structures of RADA and improved management capabilities.