UNDP Belarus Accelerator Lab

We leverage technologies and innovations for green and human-centered socio-economic development in Belarus.

Since 2021, the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Belarus works together with the Government, local authorities, thinktanks and innovators to develop the next generation of integrated solutions for stronger economy, developed human capital, and a high quality of life.

Thematic areas of work of the UNDP Belarus Accelerator Lab include:

Transition to the green and circular economy:
The Lab supports the Government in developing a strategic vision of the Belarus’ green transition. We’ve brought together public and private stakeholders to prepare the Second National Plan for the Development of the Green Economy in the Republic of Belarus 2021-2025 and facilitate the drafting of the National Circular Economy Strategy by 2035. In order to effectively track the progress towards green economy, the Lab supports country’s participation in the Global Green Economy Index (GGEI) where Belarus was ranked 74th rating among 160 countries in 2022.

Smart solutions for green cities:
We run a portfolio of experiments to test solutions that will make Belarus’ cities more environmentally-friendly. In Novogrudok, we encourage responsible consumption of water and energy among residents of multifamily dwellings though creative household-tailored information campaign. In Pinsk, Novogrudok, Novopolotsk and Korma, the Acclab pilots smart solid municipal waste scheme and encourages people to take the initiative in monitoring and expanding green areas in their cities.

Economic security and empowerment of women:
The Lab explored gender stereotypes that affect girl’s education and career choices in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and offered 10 solutions informed by behavioural insights to overcome the barriers that girls and women face in accessing STEM education and employment.

Integrated regional development, including on the Chernobyl-affected areas:
The Lab developed an integrated multistakeholder approach to engagement of national partners into support of less developed districts and transforming them into districts of accelerated development. This approach is formulated in the form of a platform. AccLab contributed to testing of this approach for innovative development of 21 districts recovering from Chernobyl accident. As the test the AccLab supported two startup events and has got the increase of interest to formulation of development projects and initiatives from local population, increase in number of submitted projects, increase in its quality. As the next step the AccLab is creating a digital solution to collect innovative technologies and green technologies for further sharing and embedding it into business projects. The AccLab also found a national partner who will continue this work on supporting the catalogue.