EHU developed distinctive competencies by being the first higher education institution integrating European standards and methods in the teaching and learning process, in accordance with the Bologna Process of higher education reform.

The fact that EHU is located in Lithuania makes it possible for about 2,000 Belarusian students currently studying at the university to have access to a world of knowledge and exchange that would otherwise be unavailable to them.

For further information on the university's history, teaching programmes etc. please visit www.ehu.lt.

The EHU Trust Fund seeks funding to ensure the university's continued survival and development.

The Trust Fund is managed by the Nordic Council of Ministers in close co-operation with the university's Governing Board, which together plan co-ordinated and renewed efforts for potential donors - public as well as private - within and outside Europe.

For further information please visit www.ehutrustfund.org.

Why donate to the fund?

In 2004 the President of Belarus closed one of the oppositions' strongest democratic voices; the European Humanities University (EHU).

The closure boded the start of a political development, where the fledgling democracy, begun after the break-up of the Soviet Union, was superseded by an increasingly stronger political unification and the suppression of human rights in Belarus.

The year after its closure the university moved to Lithuania, on the invitation of the Lithuanian government, where it has since offered education to Belarusian students.

To study or teach at EHU carries with it great personal risk; both teaching staff and students have been subjected to interrogation by the Belarusian authorities and the future of EHU supporters in Belarus is uncertain.

Despite this, thousands of Belarusians want to study at the EHU.

Donating to the EHU provides a generation of young Belarusians with a free academic education built on Western standards, and thus contributes to the development of democracy and civil society throughout the region.

The Fund's purpose and structure

The European Humanities University Trust Fund was established in June 2008 by a decision of the Ministers of Nordic Co-operation.

The purpose of the Trust Fund is to raise, accept and to make use of funds provided by Donors for the EHU while situated in Vilnius, with the aim that the EHU will become self-sustainable in the future.

The purpose and functioning of the Trust Fund is described in full in the Terms of Reference of the Trust Fund. ("Terms of Reference")

The Trust Fund operates in accordance with the following principles:

• The Trust Fund finances core expenses of the European Humanities University, including administration, through two annual disbursements based on an annual budget approved by the EHU Governing Board.

• Donations can be accepted from governments, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations such as foundations, companies and private persons.

• The Trust Fund will engage in active fund raising in close co-operation with the EHU itself and other donors, and will develop various ways of donor recognition.

The structure of the Trust Fund encompasses:

• an Assembly of Donors,

• an Advisory Committee, and

• a Trust Fund Manager working at the Nordic Council of Ministers Secretariat in Copenhagen

The Nordic Council of Ministers is the legal entity representing the Trust Fund, responsible for reporting to the donors.

Donors

The EHU Trust Fund has collected almost 12 million euro from 18 donors since 2008. Detailed information is available at www.ehutrustfund.org.

How to donate?

As stated above the Trust Fund accepts donations from governments, governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, such as foundations, funds and other NGOs, as well as from companies and private persons.

Donations to the Trust Fund are made through an agreement with the Nordic Council of Ministers, or directly online on www.ehutrustfund.org.

To donate to the Trust Fund or seek more information, please contact:

Mads Meinert, Trust Fund Manager, tel. +45 3396 0211, mame@norden.org

Marlene Støttrup, Trust Fund Co-ordinator, tel. +45 3396 0273, mast@norden.org

Ane Kofod Petersen, Senior Adviser, tel. +45 3396 0254, akp@norden.org