Imagine a situation in which one must leave home, work, and an ordinary way of life overnight. For thousands of Belarusians persecuted for political reasons, this became a reality after the events of 2020. During this difficult period, support came from the SALT programme, implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA), which aims to assist Belarusian students, lecturers, and researchers forced to flee the regime.
An independent survey conducted by RAIT Group shows that the programme has had a significant impact on the Belarusian community. Respondents evaluated the programme very positively — the Net Promoter Score (NPS) reached 82 (on a scale from -100 to 100). Such a high score indicates strong trust in and support for the programme.
The survey involved 81 direct programme participants, 175 diaspora representatives and 45 members of Belarusian non-governmental organisations operating abroad. The quantitative findings were complemented by in-depth interviews that shed light on participants’ experiences and the broader context. The results indicate that the SALT programme is particularly important for Belarusian academic and civic communities that have formed in Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Lithuania.
One of the key elements of the programme is financial assistance. Scholarships enabled students to continue university studies that they would not have been able to afford on their own. Lecturers and researchers who lost their jobs in their home country or found themselves at risk were able to return to academic work, resume scientific research and rebuild disrupted professional networks.
Survey participants also highlighted another essential aspect of the programme — emotional support. According to respondents, SALT helped restore their self-confidence, provided a sense of stability and reaffirmed that their knowledge and expertise remain valued. As one participant noted, “the programme gave me stability when everything around me was collapsing.”
Belarusian organisations operating abroad also emphasised that SALT is a strategically important initiative that helps preserve Belarus’ intellectual potential under conditions of forced migration. They also pointed to the importance of strengthening communication and decision-making processes to further enhance the programme’s impact.
The aggregated survey results show that the SALT programme provides assistance where it is needed most. It helps Belarusians forced to flee the regime continue their studies, pursue academic work and remain active members of civil society. For many, it has offered an opportunity to restore lost stability and begin a new chapter.
“Support to Advanced Learning and Training (SALT)” and “Education for Belarusians” are European Union-funded programmes implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA) since 2021. They aim to support Belarusian students, lecturers and researchers affected by repression due to their civic position after 2020 and in the years that followed.
