Reformers’ Clubs: Belarusians Discuss the Future of the Country Across Europe
The Personnel Reserve initiative continues to bring together people who believe in change and are actively thinking about what Belarus could look like in the future.
Within the framework of the Reformers’ Clubs, meetings were held in Warsaw, Gdańsk, Poznań, Kraków, Prague, Wrocław, and Vilnius. Each of them became a platform for open dialogue, exchange of experience, and the development of concrete project ideas.
In Warsaw, the discussion naturally focused on regional development. Participants explored what “attractiveness” of small towns and rural areas means in practical terms: the role of access to modern education, including online learning; the infrastructure needed for families; and what genuine local self-government should look like if it is real autonomy rather than a formal imitation. Initial parameters for fiscal decentralization were proposed, allowing regions to independently plan and implement development strategies. Local economic incentives were also discussed — from tax reliefs to special zones where small and medium-sized businesses can not only survive but grow.
Gdańsk focused on rethinking the Soviet legacy — a topic that can easily become controversial, but is difficult to address institutionally. The discussion explored how de-Sovietization can become a constructive rather than destructive process: where the boundaries of responsible historical education lie, how public media and cultural institutions can reduce polarization and rebuild trust, and what the role of a National Memory Institute should be so it does not become a tool of revenge or propaganda. Key risks were identified — bureaucratic delays, lack of resources, potential social resistance — along with mitigation strategies based on transparency, public consultation, and phased implementation.
In Poznań, the discussion centered on the viability of local communities. Regional civic initiatives were presented not as an addition to “big politics,” but as its foundation. Participants examined practical mechanisms: increasing the visibility of communities beyond closed circles, systematizing media relations so that initiatives are not lost but contribute to long-term goals, and attracting experts and facilitators to ensure structured outcomes in the form of plans, partnerships, and accountable roles. A key conclusion was that without local networks capable of sustaining initiatives, no reform can move beyond paper.
Kraków addressed media policy. Participants discussed how to legally distinguish between “Belarusian” and “foreign” media without restricting freedom of expression, but also without leaving space for manipulation; how to ensure the presence of the Belarusian language in the media landscape without reducing quotas to formalities; and what professional standards should be mandatory for editors-in-chief and how certification processes could be made transparent. A major topic was defining propaganda content and designing mechanisms to label or restrict it without suppressing criticism or public debate. The group emphasized the need for broad public discussion and a clear legislative framework.
Prague focused on the role of education and culture as foundations for transformation. The discussion highlighted how standards of education, curricula, academic freedom, and support for cultural institutions shape a society’s capacity for dialogue, human rights awareness, and civic responsibility. Education and culture were framed not as a secondary “soft” sector, but as a core pillar without which other reforms cannot be sustainable. Key proposals included transparent rules for universities, support for Belarusian-language content and educational programs, and investment in cultural platforms that build trust.
Wrocław addressed privatization in the energy sector. The discussion was balanced: alongside the benefits of competition and transparency, participants highlighted risks related to investment, infrastructure, and security, emphasizing the need for clear rules and strong oversight. A phased approach with explicit safeguards was outlined.
Vilnius focused on political literacy as a foundation of sustainable democracy. Participants examined how a lack of basic understanding of governance mechanisms, decision-making procedures, institutional roles, and civic responsibility undermines trust and makes societies vulnerable to propaganda. Political education was understood broadly — not as “correct answers,” but as practical skills: distinguishing facts from manipulation, verifying sources, engaging in local processes, demanding accountability, and taking responsibility while trusting institutions when they are transparent and accountable.
The Reformers’ Clubs demonstrate that Belarusian society is ready to think ahead: translating European practices into Belarusian realities, developing policy prototypes, building networks, and working toward concrete outcomes.
If you want to contribute to the future — join here: https://pr-belarus.org/be/apply-by
