Call for Proposals to Develop a Concept for Local Self-Government Reform in Belarus

Political Sphere Institute
Belarus Beehive Project
Programme for Local Self-Government Reform in the Republic of Belarus
Terms of Reference
Implementation period: 2 months from the date of contract signing.

Context: Since the summer of 2020, Belarus has been in a political crisis, and repression continues.

Many expectations of a rapid democratic transition have not materialised.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has only worsened the country’s situation, freezing the prospects for political change.

This statement is also true with regard to any reforms in general, and to local self-government reform, hereinafter LSG, in particular.

The latter is possible only in a situation where a democratic form of government is established in Belarus.

Throughout the modern history of independent Belarus, the need to reform LSG and the administrative-territorial division has been discussed in the country.

However, already from the second half of the 1990s it can be stated that the authorities chose the path of preserving the Soviet system of state administration, and accordingly there was never any political will for a decisive transformation of the system of social relations “on the ground”.

Taking the above into account, the preparation of a concept for LSG reform requires new research to include:
a) a change in the position of the subject implementing the reform;
b) forecasting the situation in Belarus in which such a reform will become possible.

At the same time, the preparation of a new concept for local self-government reform should be based on the experience and results accumulated over recent decades by other researchers, in particular by the Lev Sapieha Foundation.

It should be stated that, at present, LSG is absent in Belarus, especially if it is considered through the prism of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

Accordingly, the expert community of Belarus, the future authorities and the active part of society face the task not of transforming an existing system in essence, but of creating a different paradigm of social relations at the local level.

The concept should provide not only for institutional changes in the structure of power, but also include elements of the reformer’s communication strategy with society, local communities, the possible roles and influence of international institutions, national business, and any other potentially interested parties.

The main topics that should be addressed in the prepared document:
Current state.

A brief presentation of the current state of local self-government in Belarus.

Problems of transition.

Forecasting problems for local development at the beginning of a democratic transition: challenges facing local authorities and the active part of society / local “yard” communities in this regard.

Institutional changes.

What state and civic institutions need to be created to implement LSG reform?

Changes necessary for implementing the provisions of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

Preparation of institutional changes.

How and in what form can prototypes of LSG institutions exist in contemporary Belarus and in emigration?

What role can local “yard” communities play in the preparation and implementation of LSG reform?

Additional reforms.

What necessary reforms should take place to strengthen the sustainability of local authorities and self-government bodies? (Land reform, public administration reform, housing and utilities reform, e-government, and others).

Evaluation of reforms.

Indicators of reform success, implementation timeframe.

Public communication.

Recommendations for conducting a public advocacy campaign for LSG reform before the start of the reform, during reform implementation and after its completion.

How can the process of discussion with stakeholders in LSG reform take place at present and in a situation where a democratic regime is established?

The result of fulfilling the terms of reference should be an analytical report of 20-30 pages covering all the issues noted above.

Honorarium.

The expected honorarium for the completed work is 2,500-4,000 euros.

The final amount will be determined after the scope of work is clarified at the contract-signing stage.

Requirements for applicants.

The work may be carried out by an expert, a group of experts, or a research organisation (think tank) with at least two years of experience in political, social or legal research, as well as publications in this field.

Interested experts and organisations should send the following documents by 24 December:
CVs of the project implementers.

List of publications.

A motivation letter, no longer than one page, outlining interest in the research.
Documents should be sent to [email protected].