20 November 2025
On November 20, 2025, the II Business Forum “Government and Business: Partnership for Sustainable Development” was held in Lepel (Vitebsk region) as part of Belarusian Entrepreneurship Week.
The Forum participants discussed the development of the startup movement, the interaction of educational institutions and technology parks, the implementation of innovative projects, mechanisms of government support for business, as well as the role of technology in the development of entrepreneurship. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence and e-commerce in real projects were presented. Representatives of small and medium-sized businesses shared their experience of starting and running a business. The central topic of discussion was innovative and youth entrepreneurship as a tool for the sustainable development of regions.
Opening the Forum , Angelika Nikitina, Deputy Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, noted:
— This is our second Business Forum “Government and Business. Partnership for Sustainable Development”. We dedicated it to youth: innovative and youth entrepreneurship. Today, our youth are really active, progressive, successful, ideological, ready to offer any solutions for implementation not only in the social sphere, but today we see a lot of projects such as the Youth Initiative, 100 Ideas for Belarus project, and within the framework of the real sector of the economy.
Rasul Bagirov, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus, underscored that people are behind any economic indicators:
— People’s energy generates creativity and achievements, becoming a real magnet for development. Within the framework of our new Cooperation Framework, we have identified 4 priorities, but at the center of each of them is a person.
The first part of the Business Forum was held in the format of live networking and practical workshops. The participants got acquainted with entrepreneurship from all sides at specially organized venues.
For example, real projects of talented activists of the public association “Belarusian Republican Youth Union” (NGO “BRSM”) — the best business ideas, innovative developments and social initiatives that are changing the country for the better — were presented at the site of the 100 Ideas for Belarus project.
On the site “We know. Belarus” participants could check how well they know the geography of their native country and take part in an exciting challenge: assemble a puzzle map of the Republic of Belarus at speed. It’s not only fun, but also symbolic: only together, bringing together all the parts of a common cause, can you achieve real success. This format allowed everyone to find an entry point into the topic of entrepreneurship.
The second part of the Business Forum was held in the format of a plenary session “Talking about Important Things: How Youth and Innovation are Moving Forward the Development of the Northern Region”. It was held in a businesslike and productive atmosphere filled with new ideas and practical examples, which demonstrate that a sustainable business space is being consistently formed in the Vitebsk region.
The plenary session focused on issues such as support for entrepreneurs at all levels, from the Belarusian Fund for Financial Support of Entrepreneurship and Belarusbank to the tax inspectorate. The participants discussed how university laboratories and technology parks become platforms where ideas turn into successful projects, got acquainted with the educational platform on ESG and other projects in the field of AI animation and e-commerce. Of particular interest were the performances of young leaders, representatives of women’s business, as well as real success stories of entrepreneurs from Lepel, Braslav and other districts.
During the plenary meeting, was also presented the experience of two pilot initiatives on the Sustainable Development Goals, which have been implemented with the support of the UNDP as part of the Joint Project in the Vitebsk region since the beginning of 2025.
Dmitry Krupsky, Deputy Director of the M.S. Kunyavsky Business Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers, informed about the implementation of the pilot initiative on the SDGs “Promoting the Development of the Startup Movement and Small Innovative Entrepreneurship to Foster Sustainable Development in the Regions of Belarus, Stimulate Youth Social Mobility, and Integrate Regional Economic Capacities”.
Ekaterina Gruznevich, Head of the Department of Economics and Electronic Business at Vitebsk State Technological University, presented the experience of implementing the pilot initiative on the SDGs “Educational Program for Mastering ESG Practices and Tools Based on Online Learning Technologies”.
Within the framework of the forum, a solemn ceremony was held to award leaders who have made a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the Vitebsk region.
The Forum confirmed the public demand for partnership between the state and business. Innovative solutions are becoming a key driver of regional economic growth, and technology companies are helping entrepreneurs enter the market faster with competitive products. The main conclusion is simple: a full-fledged ecosystem for business has been created in the Vitebsk region, and there is only one thing left — to generate bold ideas and use the opportunities that open up.
The II Business Forum “Government and Business: Partnership for Sustainable Development” was organized by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee together with the Vitebsk regional Committee of the BRSM NGO with the support of the UNDP within the framework of the Joint Project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs” funded by the Russian Federation.
Holding the Business Forum contributes to the socio-economic development of the Vitebsk region, as well as to the achievement by the Republic of Belarus of the Sustainable Development Goals 8, 11, 17 and the other SDGs.
SITE MAP
