Belarusian Initiative for Democracy and the Rule of Law

An independent initiative founded by Belarusians to document the legal and administrative challenges faced by Belarusians in Europe and develop practical solutions to protect their rights and secure their legal status. Working across Portugal and Spain.

Hello! We are a community of Belarusian professionals, creators, academics, and entrepreneurs united by a shared commitment to continuing the democratic legacy of our people since the 1990s.

About us

IBDED — Belarusian Initiative for Democracy and the Rule of Law — emerged from the experience of Belarusians living in Spain and Portugal who have faced serious difficulties obtaining, renewing and legalizing essential identity and civil-status documents.

The initiative was formed by people with direct experience of navigating these problems through administrative and judicial procedures. Their cases, collective experience and documented interactions with public institutions became the basis for a broader research and advocacy platform.

IBDED brings this experience together to document the problems faced by Belarusians in Europe, examine how existing legal frameworks are applied in practice, and develop evidence-based solutions.

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The goal

Our goal is to help ensure that Belarusians living in Europe can obtain the documents, legal status and administrative recognition necessary to live, work, and exercise their rights lawfully.

We work towards practical solutions within existing legal frameworks, while also examining whether specific legal or administrative arrangements are needed for Belarusians whose circumstances are not adequately addressed by ordinary procedures.
These solutions may include simplified administrative procedures, recognition of alternative identity or travel documents, specific legal status, or other mechanisms that allow people to maintain a secure and lawful status without being forced to return to a country where exercising their rights may expose them to serious risks.
Our own experience is the starting point. Our objective is to turn that experience into evidence, research and practical solutions that can benefit Belarusians facing similar problems across Europe. </aside>

What we do

IBDED researches how legal and administrative frameworks affect Belarusians in Europe and translates documented cases, institutional practice and legal research into practical resources for people, civil society and decision-makers.

Research

Examine EU and national law, administrative procedures and institutional practice.

Document

Collect and organise official documents, administrative decisions, case materials and documented experiences.

Assess

Identify how legal rules apply in practice, where gaps or conflicts arise, and what legal safeguards may be available.

Develop solutions

Compare existing mechanisms across countries and identify practical legal and administrative approaches to documented problems.

Share knowledge

Publish legal assessments, comparative research and accessible educational materials for people and institutions working on these issues.

The team

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Irina Prokopets

Legal Analyst

Legal analyst with a background in International Relations and International Law, focused on European Union law, migration and analysis of administrative practice.

Education

National University «Kyiv Aviation Institute»

Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, International Law and Information

2005–2010

University of Salamanca

Master's Degree in Economic Analysis of Law and Public Policies

2026–2027

LinkedIn profile

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