About faith-based organizations and their role in the life of Belarusian society, researcher Olga Aleinik from the Institute for Development and Social Market in Belarus and Eastern Europe shares her insights.
— Olga, could you please explain what faith-based organizations (FBOs) are and how they differ from traditional religious structures?
— Faith-based organizations can be divided into several types. There are strictly religious ones, whose main purpose is worship and pastoral care. And there are those focused on helping people, social, educational, and outreach activities. We work specifically with the latter. They provide a wide range of support to different target groups, from distributing free food, fundraising for medical treatment, organizing hospices, orphanages, and rehabilitation for people with addictions, to running schools, children’s and youth camps, courses, publishing books, translations, and historical research.
These organizations do not engage directly in worship, they carry out socially beneficial activities based on faith. Churches, ideally, should remain outside politics and independent. FBOs, on the other hand, can receive funding from various sources, including state funding, and carry out their statutory activities.
It is also important to note that these organizations make up approximately one-third of Belarus’s civil society sector. They cannot be overlooked.
— What is the current situation of faith-based organizations in Belarus?
— Belarus is a multi-confessional country, so around each local religious community there are at least two or three affiliated organizations with social or educational focus. If we multiply the number of religious communities by three, we get an approximate number of FBOs. Our institute primarily works with Christian organizations.
These organizations are a vast resource for volunteerism. The motivation of believers is not short-term, people donate their time, money, and effort on a continuous basis, often without financial incentives.
Examples include the Red Cross, Scouts, and Girl Guides, many of which originated from religious movements.
— How did your Institute start working with FBOs?
— We began active engagement around 2016–2017, when a draft law on domestic violence was being developed. Gender organizations and UNDP were actively involved, but churches and FBOs were not included in the discussion. When the draft became public, religious organizations opposed it, perceiving it as interference in family matters. This was largely a misunderstanding. Had they been involved earlier, many issues could have been avoided.
In response, we organized a conference titled “Sustainable Development and Religious Organizations” to facilitate dialogue between NGOs, international actors, and religious organizations. The forum brought together a wide range of specialists, from prison work to social and educational activities. Later, we held sectoral meetings with government bodies to create a space for dialogue, discuss new initiatives, strengthen the capacity of FBOs, and integrate them into social processes. They have deep knowledge of the needs of vulnerable groups and extensive experience in social work.
— How has the situation changed now?
— Today, we conduct monitoring and raise issues important for churches and FBOs. On international platforms, we emphasize that the FBO sector continues its work under difficult conditions and highlight violations of freedom of conscience and association.
Following the adoption of the new version of the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations (signed at the end of 2023, effective from July 2024, with re-registration required by July 2025), religious organizations underwent forced re-registration. As a result, a number of associations and organizations ceased to exist. In 2025, many such structures were closed. Regional data shows significant reductions, including dozens of organizations across different regions and even the complete disappearance of some denominations in certain areas.
The law introduces artificial requirements, such as minimum membership thresholds, which do not always reflect the reality of religious communities. This represents unnecessary state interference in the work of FBOs.
— What challenges do FBOs face today?
— Unfortunately, the situation is not very optimistic. Key challenges include:
State pressure and control, including restrictive legislation.
Limitations on foreign assistance, while many organizations rely on donations.
Lack of acceptance or dialogue with some democratic NGOs due to controversial issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and protection of life, although such barriers exist on both sides.
Low quality of public discourse, with society often not ready for dialogue without rejecting opposing views. This requires self-reflection from all actors in civil society.
Strong Russian influence in parts of the Orthodox sector, where some organizations support the war in Ukraine, using religious authority for propaganda and fundraising, and putting pressure on anti-war initiatives.
— Why is it important to preserve these organizations in Belarus?
— It is crucial that organizations engaged in genuine charitable work can continue their activities. They support a wide range of vulnerable groups, including children, youth, people with disabilities, and individuals struggling with addiction. Volunteers often work with those who have been neglected both by the state and sometimes by their own families.
Moreover, these organizations constitute at least one-third of Belarus’s third sector. Despite the current socio-political crisis, their engagement in addressing social issues has not significantly declined, although many volunteers have left the country.
— What steps are needed to build understanding and start dialogue?
— First, to recognize each other and accept that differing views will always exist, and that only through cooperation can sustainable solutions be found.
Second, to engage in dialogue, understand arguments and positions, and look for common ground.
Third, to acknowledge FBOs as a significant part of the third sector, involve them in knowledge exchange, and include them in strategic discussions.
If the legal and political environment in Belarus allowed for free development, this would be sufficient. Unfortunately, faith-based organizations, like the rest of civil society, face pressure and control. This makes it even more important not to ignore them, they are a vital resource for society.
Reference: The Institute for Development and Social Market in Belarus and Eastern Europe is an independent research and analytical center established in 2011. Its mission is to promote a model of pluralistic democracy, a developed civil society, and a competitive economic system based on private initiative and social responsibility.
