The Protocol for Cooperation defines the Coordination Council as a collective representative body of the democratic part of Belarusian society, which coordinates the interaction of the democratic forces at the level of developing and/or agreeing on strategic decisions.
First established in 2020 by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Coordination Council is an independent body of the democratic forces of Belarus today.
The Coordination Council is structured around a proportional electoral system, with elections held at least every two years. It focuses on several key areas:
- developing policies for democratic transition;
- engaging in public discourse on important social issues;
- promoting reforms for a democratic and rule-of-law-based state;
- exercising oversight over the activities of democratic institutions;
- participating in international inter-parliamentary cooperation.
For up-to-date information about the members of the Coordination Council and its activities, check its official website, X account, or Telegram channel.
History
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya established the Coordination Сouncil in August 2020 to facilitate a democratic transfer of power in Belarus. It originally had around 70 core members, seven of whom formed the Presidium. The expanded Coordination Council had thousands of members.
The Council has been supported by several foreign governments, including the United States, who, in a statement on August 20, 2020, urged the government in Belarus to “actively engage Belarusian society, including through the newly established National Coordination Council, in a way that reflects what the Belarusian people are demanding, for the sake of Belarus’ future, and for a successful Belarus.”
The Council first operated from Minsk, Vilnius, and Warsaw. Since its inception, members of the Council have faced severe repression from the regime. Key figures, including members of the Presidium, have been imprisoned or forced into exile. Despite this, the Council has continued its work remotely, operating from multiple locations, including Vilnius, Warsaw, and other European cities.
In 2022-2023, the Coordination Council underwent a significant reform. The Council transitioned from its initial structure to become more inclusive of various democratic groups and civil society organizations. The reformed Council shifted its focus towards developing strategic plans, engaging in international cooperation, and addressing key social and political issues facing Belarus.
In May 2024, the Coordination Council held its first direct election. The election, conducted electronically from May 25 to 27, aimed to establish a more representative body of Belarusian civil society. Approximately 280 candidates, organized into twelve electoral lists, contested 80 seats. Eight lists (factions) formed the Coordination Council following the election.
At the New Belarus Conference 2024, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (OST), the United Transitional Cabinet (UTC), and the Coordination Council adopted the Protocol for Cooperation, recognizing each other as key political institutions of the Belarusian democratic movement, each playing its unique role in the struggle for a democratic change in the country. Within this context, the Council ensures civil control by monitoring and analyzing the outcomes of the other signatories’ activities, while also participating in policy discussions and international cooperation. It collaborates with the OST and UTC to develop common strategies and ensures alignment among the democratic forces. Moreover, the CC plays an advisory role, proposing candidates and recommendations for the UTC, thereby influencing its composition and ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.
