January 20, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ related to eligibility for a MOST+ mobility grant

Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Are eligible to participate in the program citizens of Belarus over 18 years old, who are
professionals working in one of the following six sectors:

  • society,
  • culture,
  • education,
  • business,
  • health and care,
  • sustainability.

Are not eligible Belarusian citizens under EU sanction.

I am a citizen of Belarus, but have a business in another country where I also live (having a residence permit there). May I apply?
Yes, citizens of Belarus are eligible to participate in the program, regardless the country of their residence or work, or the country where their business is registered.

Can Russian citizens participate in the program?
No, they cannot. Only citizens of the Republic of Belarus are authorized to participate in the program.

Does the program support scientists and researchers? For example, will MOST+ finance scientific research in the archives of Krakow and Vilnius? Is researching historical materials in state archives eligible for participation in the MOST+ project?
MOST+ is not aimed at supporting scientific or research projects. The European Union is funding another program specifically targeting researchers, scientists and academics: the SALT (Support for Advanced Learning and Training) program.

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://eu4belarus.info/

However, if an application for a grant to conduct research directly related to the applicant’s profession (for example, market research), MOST+ could consider such an application. Referring to the specific question, MOST+ might consider an application from archivists willing to learn best European practices from other archivists in EU Member States. This is related to specific work experience and methodology, not pure scientific research.

Can a temporarily unemployed person participate in the program?
Yes, if the application submitted indicates that the applicant is currently unemployed but has professional experience (and this is reflected in her/his CV) and that the objectives of the desired mobility are relevant to the applicant’s profession, the application can be accepted. Successful mobilities to the European Union can contribute to strengthen the competencies of temporary unemployed professionals and expand their network of professional contacts, therefore make unemployed professionals become more competitive in the job market.

Can civil servants participate in the program?
No, MOST+ is not intended for civil servants of central or local government authorities,
committees or agencies. Civil servants willing to be awarded mobility should research other programmes.

Does the place of employment matter for applying for mobility? Can Belarusians employed in the EU apply, or is it necessary to have employment in the Republic of Belarus?
There are no geographical restrictions to employment for being eligible to the MOST+
mobility scheme. Belarusian professionals working in any country may apply.

Can I apply while on parental leave?
Yes, you can.

FAQ related to applicants having participated in the previous phases of MOST

Can I apply if I have already participated in the previous phases of the MOST program?
If you have been awarded a mobility under previous phases of the MOST program, you may be awarded only one mobility under the current MOST+ program.

Will applications that were approved in the previous program phase, but could not be implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, be transferred to and implemented within MOST+?
No, applications approved but not implemented under the previous phases of the MOST program, may not be implemented during MOST+.

Is it possible to participate more than once in the program?
Yes, it is possible, but there can be no more than two mobilities per person under MOST+ (one mobility only in the case of MOST I or II alumni). Unsuccessful applicants may send new applications without limitations.

FAQ related to the preparation of an application or mobility plan

Can a subsidiary of a Belarusian company or organization registered in the EU be considered as an EU-based host or partner?
From a legal standpoint, the subsidiary of a Belarusian company and organization
registered in an EU Member State can legitimately act as a hosting organization. Yet, MOST+ aims at providing Belarusian professionals with the opportunity to have exposure to best European practices and to expand their network of professional contacts with colleagues and counterparts from the EU. It is, therefore, advisable to choose host organisations which will offer applicants an experience directly related to the traditions of EU Member States.

Will MOST+ help find one or several EU-based hosts/partners? MOST+ has insufficient resources and expertise to provide support to identify EU partners in the 27 EU Member States, and in the six professional sectors it covers, therefore it cannot provide systematic support to individual applicants to identify their EU-based partner. Therefore, MOST+ expects applicants to conduct their own research and prepare their mobility plan on their own. Still, it will regularly provide information about sectoral international events and opportunities in the EU, on its website when the MOST+ website will be operational.

What is the minimum number of contacts (meetings) that should be planned when organizing a mobility project?
There is no required minimum number of contacts envisaged for planning mobility. Yet, mobilities participants are invited to seize the opportunity offered by their mobility to expand their portfolio of professional contacts with European colleagues and counterparts. It is more important to establish quality contacts that will last beyond mobility and result in sustainable and lasting partnerships, rather than numerous superficial contacts.

How long before the planned mobility should I apply?
Applicants are advised to submit their application not less than three months prior to the start of their mobility. This is due to the fact that processing an application and obtaining a visa to an EU Member State takes time.

FAQ related to organisations and groups willing to apply to a MOST+ mobility

Can a group consisting of more than 5 persons apply for mobility?
No, the maximum number of applications as a group cannot exceed five individuals.

Can a group submit an application for a 30-day internship?
Yes, it can. In principle, mobilities in one or several EU Member States should not exceed 30 days.

If I have already registered on the application portal on behalf of an organization, do I need to re-register?
The MOST+ mobility scheme is open to Belarusian individual professionals. Belarusian citizens should first register as individuals on the Goethe Application Portal (GAP) and then select «New application» and funding area «MOST+» in order to be able to submit their application for a MOST+ mobility. Interested persons, having already registered on behalf of an organization, should register again as individuals. Applications submitted following registration as an organization will not be considered.

FAQ related to the operation of the MOST+ mobility scheme

What does the health and care sector cover?
The health and care sector covers all areas of medicine. The concept of healthcare is rather broad and includes the administration of medical centres. As for all the sectors covered by MOST+, applications for mobilities in the health and care area will be evaluated by high-level specialists in the sector in question.

Will the program support an application that incurs costs necessary to participate in an exhibition, marketplace, or an international convention? Such projects may necessitate renting a stand in a market or a fair, transporting marketing support or product samples. Will MOST+ cover such expenses?
Yes, the costs considered necessary to implement a mobility may be included in the mobility budget and covered by MOST+.

What does multi-stop or multi-country mobility mean?
Multi-stop mobilities are mobilities involving up to three visits to the EU within a maximum period of six months. Multi-country mobilities are mobilities taking place in more than one EU Member State (up to three EU Member States). Multi-stop mobilities can also be multi-country mobilities. There should be logic and good reasons for furthering professional objectives for planning multi-stop and multi-country mobilities.

Can a Belarusian apply for mobility in her/his country of residence in the EU?
No, MOST+ will over-consider applications for mobilities taking place in a country different than the country of residence. One of the objectives of MOST+ is to provide the chance to expand the applicant’s network of professional contacts.

Can the project finance mobilities to the United Kingdom, in exceptional cases?
Mobilities may only take place in one or up to three of the 27 EU-Member States. The UK is not one of them.

When can I apply? What is the deadline?
MOST+ is an open call for applications. Applications will be accepted without interruption until 3 June 2024 (3 pm Minsk time).

FAQ on other important issues for applicants to a MOST+ mobility

Many countries do not issue visas to citizens of Belarus. How will the issue of visas for mobility be resolved?
MOST+ will employ its best efforts to inform the diplomatic representations of the EU
Member States in Belarus of the necessity to facilitate the issuance of visas to grant
beneficiaries, and to support the issuance of visas necessary to undertake mobilities. The consular sections of the diplomatic missions of certain EU countries are habilitated to deliver visas to EU countries not having a consular section in Belarus.

The program provides for the dissemination of mobility results. How could these results be disseminated? Will reporting or other activities be contemplated?
All grant beneficiaries having completed their mobility to the EU will be required to report on their mobility: a financial and a first narrative report should be submitted immediately upon completion of the mobility. A second narrative report should also be submitted within six months following the completion of the mobility to allow MOST+ to assess the sustainability or the long-term results of the program. Dissemination means that the participant will share the benefits of and the experience gained through the mobility, with members of her/his professional entourage, his company or organization, etc. Dissemination can also take the form of publication in social media or presentations, master classes, etc. Program participants are also invited to join the MOST+ alumni community, where information, experience, and ideas will be shared under various formats and activities, albeit confidentially.

Can a mobility grant be considered as income and therefore be subject to taxation?
Taxation of mobility grant is the responsibility of grant beneficiaries. Applicants are invited to research whether a MOST+ mobility grant will be considered subject to taxation in their country of residence, and to take any step to comply with their tax obligations. MOST+ will not providea any tax advice.