Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) invites Belarusian youth studying in Belarus and abroad to apply for the 10th United Students of Belarus (USB) Rally to be held on July 3-5, 2017 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Please note that application deadline was extended to June 18, 2017, 23:55h.

10 year anniversary meeting is set to recall, review and celebrate achievements of the USB Rally initiative and to further foster connections between Belarusian youth studying in Belarus and abroad. The 10th USB Rally is organized by EESC with support of the Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, the Swedish Institute and the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius, together with the Global Belarusian Leaders and in cooperation with the EuroBelarus and the European Humanities University.

Annually organized the USB Rally brings together active Belarusian youth motivated to share ideas and experiences and to contribute to the future of Belarus. In addition to vibrant discussions, workshops and meetings with outstanding state-builders, entrepreneurs, intellectuals and public figures, participants are provided with cultural program and extensive networking opportunities.

Since 2016, the USB Rally participants also attend the Global Belarusians Meeting, which gathers renowned Belarusian thinkers and experts of Belarusian culture and identity from Belarus, Lithuania and other countries. Discussions about a joint Lithuanian – Belarusian past and common European culture are among the topics of this year meeting.

The USB Rally initiative unites over 300 socially engaged and active Belarusian alumni. The geographical boundaries of the USB Rally community already extend from the Baltic countries and Belarus to the rest of Europe and even to the North America, particularly the US. Throughout its existence, the USB Rally has become a traditionally anticipated event, attracting enthusiastic and vibrant participants. As a result, in 2013 alumni of the USB Rally established the Global Belarusian Leaders network, which unites a wide range of professionals affiliated with Belarus.

What is the topic of 10th USB Rally?
This year the USB Rally will be devoted to fostering connections between Belarus and Belarusian Diaspora around the world. Suggested tittle for the meeting – Diaspora and Home: Making Connections Work. During the three-days gathering attendees will participate in various discussions and workshops learning how to turn ideas into practice and to contribute to youth initiatives for the sake of Belarusian society inside and outside Belarus. Due to support of the Swedish Institute and the Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius, this year gathering will include renowned scholars and actors of civil society from Sweden, who will share Swedish experiences in following areas: civic involvement and dialogue with national and local governance, community building, gender equality and effective integration of new members of the society. Common historical memory and cultural heritage of Lithuania and Belarus, as well as unique experiences of Belarusian diaspora, will also to be discussed in lively and reciprocal conversations. Furthermore, activities will include looking for new ways to nurture the network of young Belarusians and to foster their cooperation, especially in between the USB Rally meetings. Please see a suggested agenda of the 10th USB Rally HERE.

How can you contribute?
Your active participation and suggestions for the programme of the 10th USB Rally are most welcome. Take the initiative, propose a topic for discussion or name prominent Belarusian, Lithuanian or Swedish speaker you would like to meet and discuss with by sending an email message to Mr Andrius Prochorenko at andrius.prochorenko@eesc.lt and make the USB Rally even more lively, innovative and progressive!

What do the organisers offer?
Join the unique project that combines both training and development with vibrant cultural programme and informal networking. Come, celebrate and strengthen your USB Rally community!

Conditions of Participation

Organisers provide:
•    up to 100 percent reimbursement of your travel costs from the city of your residence to Vilnius and back;
•    accommodation and board during the USB Rally;
•    visa support, if needed.

Participants cover:
•    insurance costs.

Who can apply?
•    18-35 years old Belarusians studying in Belarus or abroad;
•    USB Rally alumni (former students who participated in previous USB Rallies).

How to apply?
To apply for the 10th USB Rally, please download the application form in MS Word HERE and return it fully filled with requested attachments by email to Mr Andrius Prochorenko at andrius.prochorenko@eesc.lt by June 18, 2017, 23:55h.

Participants will be selected on the basis of motivation expressed in the application form. Thus it absolutely necessary that you dully fill in the application form! Please note that places are limited. Please send your filled-in application form to us as soon as possible! Results of the selection will be available by June 18, 2017.

Please note that incomplete, late and applications lacking the obligatory attachments shall not be considered in the selection process.

For any inquiries and questions regarding the 10th USB Rally, please contact organizers via email at andrius.prochorenko@eesc.lt or phone +370 5 270 5993.

Please forward this information to potential participants you may know.

We look forward to greeting you at the 10th USB Rally!