Belarus Research Council Business Review October 6, 2016 Kaunas

The road so far: main BRC achievements since 2012 BRC coordination meetings 7 meetings of Belarusian research centers and individual researches where they discuss recent developments, establish priorities, forge partnerships and raise the standards of research quality and research communication. Strategizing and visioning meetings 5 Reality Check meetings and 4 policy non-papers produced. Big Picture meeting (May 2014) brought together young and capable Belarus think tanks community with a few strategic thinkers in order to develop ideas and scenarios for Belarus by 2030. Belarus’ Think Tanks Rating Annual study as a means of improving the quality of think tanks work increasing visibility, transparency and accountability; fostering discussion on and promotion of the good professional standards in the sector.

The road so far: main BRC achievements since 2012 Belarus online research database. The online research database hosted by Ostrogorski Centre contains 250 researches; it promotes and provides better access to methodological, statistical, and other information to organizations and professionals. Policy-oriented original research In December 2014, BRC announced call for research proposals, aiming at supporting policy-oriented original research in Belarus. As a result out of more than 20 research ideas submitted five were supported. Public debate series What do Belarusians Think. Public policy debates promoting culture of research communication. Since August 2014 WDBT were tied with the Office for European Expertize and Communication and moved to Minsk where research connected to death penalty, gender, pension reform, etc. were covered.

The road so far: main BRC achievements since 2012 Capacity development component of the BRC. Pact in partnership with the EESC organized a series of capacity development interventions creating more learning opportunities for Belarusian researchers, such as trainings and internships at leading European think tanks as well as the possibility to attend various research-related international events. BRC supported website thinktanks.by Officially launched in October, 2015 the web-site became a valuable resource for journalists working with the research products. Thinktanks.by serves as an online tool to expand BRC local services and products as well as contributes to better research availability.

Plans for 2017: Localization in Belarus Wile remaining a loose network of stakeholders gathered with an aim to improve quality and policy relevance of research in Belarus, BRC is being localized in Belarus as service organization providing assistance in research communication, promoting availability and accessibility of research products for general public and policy makers.

Plans for 2017: Localization in Belarus Thinktanks.by further development as a public source platform where products and services for think tanks as well as analytics and research materials for non-research, non-professional audience are presented. Principles: Design – attractiveness and usability of materials; Diversity of authors enrolled, topics covered and communication channels used; Demonstration – the web-site will display case studies describing good research outreach and communication approaches and experiences in Belarus research community.

Plans for 2017: Localization in Belarus Belarusian think tanks needs assessment in order to design and deliver relevant, effective and cost-efficient products and services aimed at improvement of think tanks’ research communication and outreach. Technical assistance to Belarusian think tanks aimed at advancement of analytical centers’ capacity to deal with their target groups in terms of being more inclusive and connected with the constituency as well as more relevant and responsive to local demands. Services and assistance in: database building; customer surveys; public events organization; stakeholders’ identification, assessment and engagement; communication audits; communication strategies/plans development; message development and relations with mass media.

Belarus Research Council Business Review October 6, 2016 Kaunas