The governmental support for the participation of civil society in promoting the diversity of cultural expressions.

According to the Ministry of Justice, in Belarus, cultural and educational institutions make 31% of all the registered public associations and companies. The state cooperates with and provides support to non-governmental organizations in several ways: • implementing and building up a constant dialogue with representatives of civil society through consultations, meetings, implementation of joint projects and programs; • providing material support for creative association initiatives and NGOs, including, but not limited to individual tax preferences. It is done in accordance with the legislative initiative specified in Chapter 11 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Culture, which guarantees the rights and freedoms of members of creative unions and the protection of their interests. The state establishes creative unions and associations to promote various projects and programs, supports art schools, creative forms and techniques, and ensures the continuity of knowledge and skills. The Ministry of Culture keeps a list of all creative unions and associations which activities meet the criteria and correspond to the definition of a "creative union" specified in Chapter 11 of the Code on Culture. This list is updated from time to time. In 1992, the Belarusian Confederation of Creative Unions has been established. It includes 13 public associations: unions of artists, architects, designers, filmmakers, composers, theater workers, craftsmen, musicians, journalists, literary and art critics, photographers, and the Belarusian Culture Foundation, Screen Actors Guild. In total, it includes about 10,000 people. In the Republic of Belarus, there are many different forms of material and financial incentives for the activities of various creative unions: 1) granting land and buildings (Article 60 of the Code on Culture); 2) providing tax preferences for individual artists, designers, and actors); 3) providing benefits for art studio rentals for artists and designers, etc. All non-governmental organizations and associations have many opportunities to participate in competitions for state social and creative orders with an aim to implement various projects and programs, as well as to receive financial (grant) support from the President's Fund for the Support of Culture and Art and the President’s Special Fund for the Support of Talented Youth. Sponsorship and Patronage in Culture. The Code of the Republic of Belarus on Culture encourages the development of sponsorship and patronage supporting culture and cultural activities, including heritage protection, the development of museum affairs and librarianship, art, theatrical activities, etc. (Chapter 12). At the reporting panel of the Ministry of Culture, the Patron of the Year commemorative badge is awarded to individual representatives of the business sector who have made a significant contribution to supporting cultural initiatives every year. Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 300 dated July 1, 2005 On the Provision and Use of Gratuitous (Sponsor) Assistance defines the procedure for providing sponsor assistance and state preferences for sponsors.