BELARUSIAN ASSOCIATION OF RESOURCE CENTERS
Belarusian Association of Resource Centers (BARC) Belarusian Association of
Resource Centers (BARC) is independent non-profit association of
non-governmental organizations committed to promoting sustainable development of
civic community through interregional cooperation and nation-wide programs.
OUR HISTORY
First regional resource centers emerged in 1995-96
from then-existent civic associations, brought by an
outbreak of civic activities in the regions.
Mahiliou-based "Kola Siabrou" resource center,
Homel's "Civil Initiatives" and "Ratusha" from
Horadnia were the first to come into existence. 1997
saw the registration of Berasce-based "Vezha"
resource center and Vitebsk Leu Sapeha Foundation
making a start as a resource center. All of them,
teaming up with "Supolnasc" center (Mensk) formed
the Belarusian Association of Resource Centers
(BARC) in 1998.
For over 4 BARC has been working on development of
civic community on basis of freedom, democracy and
human rights observance.
A network of regional resource centers-BARC partners
came into being in early 1999 and now encompasses 63
organizations active nationwide. BARC Executive
Center started working in the summer 1999 to
maintain the exchange of information and coordinate
BARC activities.
OUR OBJECTIVES:
- Encouragement of civic and social
consciousness of Belarusian regions;
- Development of political, economic and legal
environment for civic initiatives;
- Promotion of civic associations and private
initiatives both domestically and abroad.
OUR PRIORITIES:
- Collecting, analysing and communication of
information on civic activies in Belarus;
- Promotion interests of Belarusian civil
sector;
- Development of cross-sector cooperation;
- Search and support of regional civic
initiatives;
- Inner development of the Association'
structures.
- Each resource center is an independent
organisation administering its own programs and
projects. Identical services are offered to all
the interested within BARC frameworks:
- Basic consultations on issues of civic
activities;
- Access to civil, social and legal
information;
- Contact information of Belarusian and
foreign organisations;
- Technical assistance and services:
printing, photocopying, scanning, layout and
design development;
- Internet and E-mail access.
WHAT ARE WE DOING:
"BARCNEWS", Information Service for NGOs:
- Publishing of e-newsletters on Belarusian
civil sector and regional issues. Produced three
times a week with 6-7 pages of volume, both in
Belarusian and Russian. 1,300 subscribers, mostly
NGOs and mass-media.
- Advertising and announcements.
- Informational and consulting assistance to
NGOs on public relations, fundraising, advertising
campaigns in mass media.
- Information web-resource
www.barcnews.org.
- Consultations, training and seminars on public
relations and social journalism.
"BARC-Info" Database of civil initiatives:
- Database of Belarusian non-governmental
organisations (information about app. 2,000
organisations and initiative groups currently
active in Belarus.)
- Database of unperiodical Belarusian press
(information on ca. 300 local publications)
- Database of the official press (data on some
100 printed media.)
Publishing activities:
- BARC is a publisher of books, reviews, and
brochures on social, cultural, legal and civic
issues.
- BARC assists in publishing of newspapers,
bulletins and other printed matter.
Sociological researches:
- BARC co-operates with a group of sociologists
that makes researches and analysis of NGO activity
in Belarus.
Consulting and training activity:
- BARC conducts consultations, seminars and
trainings on international cooperation issues and
civil organisations activities, as well as
trans-regional internships.
OUR STRUCTURE:
BARC superior body is the Association Congress,
convening once per year and encompassing
representatives from BARC member organizations
boards. Ad hoc meetings may be held as well. The
Congress devises the strategy of BARC activities.
BARC is managed by the Board of Directors,
consisting of the member organisations heads.
Convening once per month they work out the program
of the Association activities and approve the
budget. The Board of Directors also decides what
activities should be undertaken to respond to
proposals of Regional Chamber, Advisory Council and
Executive Committee. It is also a permanent forum to
discuss different aspects of cooperation, as well as
social and political problems of common interest. In
charge of the BARC is the President, elected from
the Board of Directors members for the term of two
years. The incumbent President is Aliaksandr
Milinkevich, head of Horadnia-based "Ratusha"
recourse center.
Regional Chamber, comprised of representatives of
participants of regional resource centers network,
is the forum of regional resource centers. Convening
once per year it gives recommendations on BARC
activities in the regions.
BARC Advisory Council was set up to enhance our
co-operation with other organisations and
authorities. Comprised of representatives of
reputable NGOs and authorities, as well as prominent
Belarusian and foreign experts in the domains of
BARC activities, it issues recommendations on
Association’s cooperation with authorities and other
NGOs, both Belarusian and foreign
Communicational and coordinative activities are
administered by the BARC Executive Center
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Network in regions
Mensk area
Berasce area
Homel area
Vitsebsk area
Horadnya area
Mahiliou area
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