Belarusian activists testing digital state app

December 2, BPN. Belarusian activists have launched the Novaja Biełaruś mobile app, which, they say, can become “the foundation of a digital state.” Pavieł Libier, one of the architects of the Golos project that was instrumental in exposing irregularities during the 2020 presidential election, and Jarasłaŭ Lichačeŭski, a co-founder of the BYSOL foundation, presented the platform at Press Club Belarus’ online event on December 2.

Lichačeŭski said the initial goal was “to create a space where you can find everything you need when you move to a new, unfamiliar country.” “But something bigger was born in the process – [the concept of] a whole state in a smartphone.” The platform would allow Belarusians inside the country to participate in the emigrants’ cultural and political life, and enable emigrants to establish horizontal ties with compatriots in Belarus.

The platform already has sections with news, relocation guides, medical and legal services, cultural events, businesses, and surveys. A payment system is soon to be launched. The developers said it would take several months to test the application, which would be updated based on feedback from active users.