Belarusian House in Warsaw

The Belarusian House in Warsaw (Polish: Białoruski Dom w Warszawie; Belarusian: Беларускі Дом у Варшаве) is a foundation established in 2012 in Warsaw, Poland, by representatives of the Belarusian civic campaign European Belarus and the movement For Freedom who had gone into political exile in Poland. It describes itself as the most experienced Belarusian organization in Poland and works for a democratic and European future for Belarus. The organization operates across four declared pillars: capacity development, advocacy and networking, national identity, and humanitarian aid. It supports civic initiatives, independent media and Belarusian culture, and it advocates for the democratization of Belarus. Its activities include educational projects, open and closed events, conferences, and material, informational and psychological assistance to people who have been repressed, as well as Polish-language courses for those in need. Initially the foundation was based on Wiejska Street in Warsaw. On 9 September 2020, during a visit by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki handed her the keys to a new building at 6 Kryniczna Street in the Saska Kępa district of Warsaw, which became the organization's new headquarters. Since 28 February 2022, a Volunteer Assistance Center for those fighting for Ukraine has operated at the Belarusian House. The foundation has faced persecution from the Belarusian authorities. In 2022 its Instagram page was declared extremist material in Belarus, and the organization itself was designated an extremist formation. On 21 June 2023 it became known that three criminal cases had been opened in Belarus against the head of the Belarusian House, Aleś Zarembiuk; searches were conducted at his residence and registered address in Mosty, and his parents were interrogated by investigators. The Belarusian House in Warsaw presents itself as a hub for cooperation, inviting state and educational institutions, embassies, non-governmental organizations and media to work together for a democratic Belarus. It continues fundraising for repressed persons, covering material aid, information, psychological support, integration and Polish-language courses.

The initiative to create the Belarusian House emerged after the 2010 presidential elections in Belarus. The foundation was established in 2012 by representatives of the civic campaign European Belarus and the movement For Freedom who found themselves in political exile in Poland. Initially its seat was located on Wiejska Street in Warsaw. On 9 September 2020, during a visit by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki handed her the keys to a new building at 6 Kryniczna Street in the Saska Kępa district of Warsaw, which became the new seat of the Belarusian House. This move symbolized Polish state support for Belarusian democratic forces following the contested 2020 presidential election in Belarus. Since 28 February 2022, a Volunteer Assistance Center for those fighting for Ukraine has operated at the Belarusian House, reflecting the organization's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the involvement of Belarusian volunteers. The organization has also faced persecution from the Belarusian authorities. In 2022 its Instagram page was recognized in Belarus as extremist material, and the organization itself was designated an extremist formation. On 21 June 2023, it became known that three criminal cases had been opened in Belarus against the head of the Belarusian House, Aleś Zarembiuk. Searches were conducted at his place of residence and registration in Mosty, and his parents were interrogated by employees of the Investigative Committee. Throughout its existence, the Belarusian House in Warsaw has positioned itself as the most experienced Belarusian organization in Poland, promoting democracy and human rights and supporting the development of Belarusian civil society. Its work spans capacity development, advocacy and networking, national identity, and humanitarian aid, and it continues to fundraise for repressed persons, providing material, informational and psychological assistance, integration support and Polish-language courses.

• Initiative to create the Belarusian House emerges after the presidential elections in Belarus

• Foundation established in Warsaw by representatives of European Belarus and For Freedom

• New headquarters at 6 Kryniczna Street in Warsaw handed over during Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's visit

• Volunteer Assistance Center for those fighting for Ukraine begins operating at the Belarusian House

• Belarusian authorities declare the organization's Instagram page extremist material and the organization an extremist formation

• Three criminal cases opened in Belarus against head Aleś Zarembiuk; searches conducted at his home in Mosty

The most experienced Belarusian organization in Poland, promoting democracy and human rights and supporting the development of Belarusian civil society.

• Educational projects

  Programs for capacity development and education, with graduates of educational projects counted among the organization's achievements.

• Advocacy and networking

  Cooperation with state and educational institutions, embassies, NGOs and media for a democratic Belarus.

• National identity programs

  Activities supporting Belarusian culture and identity.

• Humanitarian aid

  Material, informational and psychological assistance, integration support and Polish-language courses for repressed persons.

• Volunteer Assistance Center

  Center operating at the Belarusian House since 28 February 2022 to assist volunteers fighting for Ukraine.

1. 1Strona główna - Fundacja Białoruski Dombelaruskidom.eu
2. 2Belarusian House in Warsaw - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Беларускі Дом у Варшаве - Wikipediabe.wikipedia.org