The project’s purpose is to reduce human trafficking in/from Belarus, particularly younger people living in border areas. The project raises public awareness about the dangers of trafficking, economically empowers victims and at-risk groups through vocational and job-skills training, and provides assistance to victims and support to civil society anti-trafficking initiatives. Many of these activities are implemented through grants to 22 local partner NGOs.

Over the last year, 235 representatives of vulnerable groups received job skills and job seeking skills training, as well as post-training internships. About 70 per cent of them found full time employment as a result of the training. Thirty five victims of trafficking received a comprehensive package of direct services, helping them to reintegrate into society, as well as to avoid the danger of being re-trafficked. USAID-supported counter-trafficking activities also included public awareness and information campaigns. NGO project partners conducted 404 educational events on the dangers of trafficking in persons for 9,213 people at risk of trafficking. A wider public audience was reached through six ads placed on national TV and 35 billboards placed in cities and towns across Belarus.