The New Democracy Fund was established in December 2020 with the assistance of 5 organizations: the Danish Cultural Institute, the Danish Youth Council, International Media Support, 3F – the United Federation of Workers in Denmark, and Confederation of Danish Industry. The task of the Fund is to assist the countries of the Eastern Partnership to deepen interregional cooperation and exchange of experience between civil organizations and cultural and educational institutions of these countries.
The grant which was provided to EHU for supporting Belarusian students is one of the first grants allocated by the Fund since its establishment. Historically, Denmark has been among the first countries to support the Belarusian University-in-Exile after EHU was shut down in Minsk and had to move to Vilnius.
Earlier, the EHU Emergency Fund was supported by the Government of Lithuania, the Swedish Institute, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia.
Thanks to financial support from European partners, students and researchers that were exposed to political repressions in Belarus can continue their studies and research activities at EHU in the absence of ideological pressure and in the atmosphere of a liberal education model. Since September, 69 Belarusian students and 13 researchers have been admitted to EHU.
The University continues to negotiate with international funds to expand the funding provided. In case of a positive decision, even more students and researchers who have been repressed by the authorities will be able to continue their studies at EHU.
