Press Release: Commission launches scholarship programme for Belarusian students

The Commission has launched a €4.5 million programme to support scholarships for Belarusian students wanting to study abroad. Under this project, which will be implemented by the Nordic Council of Ministers, scholarships will be made available to Belarusian students from the start of this academic year. With the contribution of the Nordic Council of Ministers the programme totals €5 million. Scholarships will be granted to students who have been penalised by the regime and who have been denied access to Belarusian universities because of their political activities during and after the presidential elections of 19 March 2006. Thanks to these scholarships, Belarusian students who have been expelled will be able to pursue their studies in neighbouring countries in particular at the European Humanities University (EHU) in exile in Vilnius and in Ukraine. This initiative complements the scholarships offered by several Member States to sanctioned students. The project is part of the Commission’s continuing efforts to support Belarusian civil society and in particular Belarusian students and youth.