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PROJECTS
Welcome to the "Projects" section of Radar_BY, where we spotlight our diverse range of initiatives that aim to empower civil society and promote democratic values in Eastern Europe, with a focus on Belarus. Each project under our banner reflects our commitment to fostering a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the region, especially in the face of authoritarian regimes and digital transformation.
Our projects range from international collaborations to local initiatives, each uniquely designed to address the evolving needs of civic activists, academics, policymakers, and the wider community. We delve into critical issues such as digitalization of public services, the role of civil society in post-authoritarian transformation, and the impact of disinformation in the digital age.
Here's a glimpse of what we're working on.
Link4Change: Engaging Stakeholders for user-centric digital public services
LINK4Change aimed to establish a collaboration across the borders between researchers, practitioners and stakeholders. The goal was to share knowledge on citizen-centric digitalization of public services for increased quality of government. The partner countries benefited from a better understanding of the relationship between digitalization of public services and citizens’ trust in government. The activities included a review of existing research and reports, mini-pilots and two stakeholder workshops. Moreover, the project established a collaboration for at least two research and development projects.
Supported by Swedish Institute, 2020-2022.
Supported by Swedish Institute, 2020-2022.
Prospects of Post-Authoritarian Transformation in Belarus: Tracing Civic and Political Initiatives for Democracy Promotion
The project aimed to identify civil society initiatives that emerged in the wake of the mass mobilization following the falsified presidential elections in Belarus in 2020. This phase was characterized by the transition from the previously preferred strategy of "collective exit" from politically charged issues back to "collective voice" or protest against the authorities. The research project analyzed these civil society initiatives and related them to the existing instruments of the Eastern Partnership and EU mechanisms to broaden the dialogue on peaceful conflict resolution in Belarus. In addition, the project identified potential approaches to cooperation between the EU and Belarusian civil society.
Supported by Institute of European Politics, Germany 2020-2021.
Supported by Institute of European Politics, Germany 2020-2021.
EMDIAC: Embracing Digitalization in Academia: International Collaboration for Capacity Building and Innovation
The EMDIAC project aimed at supporting digitalization processes in the university environment to enhance democracy in the project partner countries and strengthen the role of academic circles in addressing these issues. Particularly, the goal was to establish long-term and strategic cooperation between Linköping University (Sweden), University of Tartu (Estonia), Dnipro University of Technology (Ukraine), and the civil society organization Human Constanta (Belarus) to enhance partners' capabilities in project management, provide high-quality educational services, conduct advanced research, and promote innovation in higher education in the context of digital transformation, which affects all aspects of governance, economy, and society. A series of webinars and working meetings were conducted to improve the qualifications of academic staff at both strategic and operational levels. The exchange contributed to the development and strengthening of the partners' ability to meet the current and future needs of society during and after the war.
E-comUnity: Empowering communities for sustainable development in terms of digitalization
The E-comUnity project is aimed at developing the knowledge and skills of students at NTU "Dnipro Polytechnic", as well as public officials from the Dnipropetrovsk region regarding the use of European electronic democracy tools for post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.
The project involves the development of 4 educational disciplines and the organization of a series of educational and communicative events with the participation of local self-government bodies from the Dnipropetrovsk region and European experts.
The invited expert from Ruhr-University Bochum is Vasil Navumau. Project team: Tregub M., Matveeva O., Navumau V., Churikanova O.
The project involves the development of 4 educational disciplines and the organization of a series of educational and communicative events with the participation of local self-government bodies from the Dnipropetrovsk region and European experts.
The invited expert from Ruhr-University Bochum is Vasil Navumau. Project team: Tregub M., Matveeva O., Navumau V., Churikanova O.
Mentoring Platform for Belarusian Civic Activists
The goal was to establish educational and international scientific-practical cooperation between civil society institutions, supporting opposition civil activists from Belarus who have relocated to Germany. Key results of the project included establishing cooperation between institutions dealing with the advocacy of the rights of Eastern European activists in the EU; involving Ukrainian experts and organizations with experience in active civil engagement for experience exchange and building strong connections; training and skill development through organizing a series of trainings, seminars, and other educational events for Belarusian activists supported by Ukrainian civil organizations, enhancing their qualifications in areas such as public governance, human rights, media, and communications; supporting international connections, drawing international attention to issues of cooperation with opposition Belarusian activists, and facilitating international dialogue on increasing technical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine during the war.
ConnectBY: Belarusian Civil Society in Diaspora
The aim of the project is to support and strengthen the active pro-Ukrainian core of the Belarusian civil diaspora in Germany by backing project initiatives of civic activists aimed at assisting Ukraine.
The achievement of the project is the creation of an integrated network that facilitates the exchange of information, resources, and experience among opposition Belarusian activists and organizations in Germany. This network aims to catalyze the exchange of ideas and develop solutions that contribute to destabilizing the positions of the illegitimately acting authorities of Belarus. The project included a series of educational and communication events, such as conferences, webinars, and roundtables, which involved the analysis and discussion of current challenges, as well as the development of practical projects in the socio-political sphere. The educational materials are aimed at preparing a new generation of leaders capable of effectively advocating for change and influencing the political process in their country.
The achievement of the project is the creation of an integrated network that facilitates the exchange of information, resources, and experience among opposition Belarusian activists and organizations in Germany. This network aims to catalyze the exchange of ideas and develop solutions that contribute to destabilizing the positions of the illegitimately acting authorities of Belarus. The project included a series of educational and communication events, such as conferences, webinars, and roundtables, which involved the analysis and discussion of current challenges, as well as the development of practical projects in the socio-political sphere. The educational materials are aimed at preparing a new generation of leaders capable of effectively advocating for change and influencing the political process in their country.
Fake News and Disinformation as Tools for Reaching Strategic Aims in Belarus and Ukraine during COVID-19
Objective: to research and analyze the role of fake news and Russian disinformation as tools for achieving strategic objectives in Ukraine and Belarus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project goals: to detect, analyze, and counteract large-scale information campaigns aimed at manipulating public opinion, spreading unreliable information, and distorting real facts against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes developing methodologies for identifying fake news and disinformation, as well as analyzing their impact on socio-political processes in Ukraine and Belarus.
The project's outcomes include the development of recommendations for government bodies and non-governmental organizations on combating disinformation, increasing public awareness and media literacy, and enhancing the media and public's ability to critically assess information. Results encompass the publication of scientific articles indexed in Scopus, research, and analytical materials that highlight the issue of fake news and disinformation in the context of the pandemic, as well as providing recommendations for strengthening society's resilience to Russian information threats.
Project goals: to detect, analyze, and counteract large-scale information campaigns aimed at manipulating public opinion, spreading unreliable information, and distorting real facts against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes developing methodologies for identifying fake news and disinformation, as well as analyzing their impact on socio-political processes in Ukraine and Belarus.
The project's outcomes include the development of recommendations for government bodies and non-governmental organizations on combating disinformation, increasing public awareness and media literacy, and enhancing the media and public's ability to critically assess information. Results encompass the publication of scientific articles indexed in Scopus, research, and analytical materials that highlight the issue of fake news and disinformation in the context of the pandemic, as well as providing recommendations for strengthening society's resilience to Russian information threats.
VisiBYlity Platform for Belarusian Civic Activists
The aim of the project is to increase visibility, strengthen, and support Belarusian civic activists in Germany through the exchange of experience, identification, and solving of specific problems faced by Belarusian activists, as well as collaboration with German media.
Within the project, a secure professional network of political activists has been created, allowing them to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. A series of educational events, seminars, and webinars have been conducted, aimed at increasing the activists' awareness of public participation tools, as well as covering expenses for the implementation of their anti-war initiatives in Germany and internationally.
Project results include enhancing the competence and effectiveness of activists through access to knowledge and skills that help them more effectively realize their initiatives; creating a sustainable network for the exchange of experience and strategies that strengthens connections between activists; ensuring influence on EU policy and public opinion through increased awareness and advocacy activities. The project contributes to changes in Germany's policy related to the rights and freedoms of "at risk" residents.
Within the project, a secure professional network of political activists has been created, allowing them to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. A series of educational events, seminars, and webinars have been conducted, aimed at increasing the activists' awareness of public participation tools, as well as covering expenses for the implementation of their anti-war initiatives in Germany and internationally.
Project results include enhancing the competence and effectiveness of activists through access to knowledge and skills that help them more effectively realize their initiatives; creating a sustainable network for the exchange of experience and strategies that strengthens connections between activists; ensuring influence on EU policy and public opinion through increased awareness and advocacy activities. The project contributes to changes in Germany's policy related to the rights and freedoms of "at risk" residents.
Countering Disinformation and Increasing Media Literacy among Russian-speaking Communities in Estonia
The goal of the project is to combat disinformation and increase the level of media literacy among Russian-speaking communities in Estonia, in the context of contemporary media challenges where disinformation significantly impacts public opinion and political stability.
The project included elements such as: educational events, development of educational materials, research and analysis.
The results of the project combine increasing the level of media literacy of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia and reducing the influence of Russian disinformation through the dissemination of false or manipulative information among the target audience, as well as engaging a broader audience of the Estonian public in addressing the issue of the necessity of military assistance to Ukraine.
The project included elements such as: educational events, development of educational materials, research and analysis.
The results of the project combine increasing the level of media literacy of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia and reducing the influence of Russian disinformation through the dissemination of false or manipulative information among the target audience, as well as engaging a broader audience of the Estonian public in addressing the issue of the necessity of military assistance to Ukraine.
E-democracy and Innovative Governance in Dnipro Region: cooperation models and resilience of the societyю
The aim of the project is to develop and implement cooperation models and innovative approaches to governance in the context of e-democracy, as well as to strengthen the resilience of society in the city of Dnipro. This includes creating conditions for more effective citizen participation in governance processes using digital technologies.
The project covers areas such as: analysis of modern Estonian e-democracy practices – studying existing models and approaches to e-democracy, particularly successful Estonian cases for implementing best practices in Ukraine; development of an e-course on electronic participation that will teach citizens of Dnipro, officials, and other stakeholders the basics and methods of effective electronic participation.
Implemented by NTU with the University of Tartu and the Dnipro City Council in 2023-2024.
The project covers areas such as: analysis of modern Estonian e-democracy practices – studying existing models and approaches to e-democracy, particularly successful Estonian cases for implementing best practices in Ukraine; development of an e-course on electronic participation that will teach citizens of Dnipro, officials, and other stakeholders the basics and methods of effective electronic participation.
Implemented by NTU with the University of Tartu and the Dnipro City Council in 2023-2024.
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