“SCI Belarus” history:
Non-governmental youth voluntary organisation «New Group» started in 1996 as a group of activists who wanted to develop the idea of voluntary movement in Belarus.
In March 1996 this initiative was supported by international organisation - Service Civil International - when “New Group” was recognised as a contact group of SCI in Belarus and voluntary exchanges between SCI and «New Group» started.
On the 20th of January 1998 «New Group» was officially registered by Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus as a national non-governmental youth voluntary organisation working on the territory of the whole country.
In May1998 «NG» became a member of Belarussian National Youth Council.
In November 1998 «NG» decided to apply for SCI Group status.
In September 1999 «NG» became a member of Assembly of Non-Governmental Democratic Organisations of Belarus.
In December 2000 became a Group of SCI in Belarus – SCI Belarus.

Mission of the organization:
to promote the idea of voluntary work and involvement of young people in voluntary service for the common wealth of the whole society.

Objectives:

• to contribute to nature protection;
• to contribute to the building of a democratic civil society in Belarus;
• to contribute to all-round development of young people and their active participation in the process of building a civil society in Belarus;
• to involve young people into the projects assisting socially disadvantaged people;
• to support youth initiatives;
• to promote health lifestyle among the belarusian youth. (Constitution of «New Group»)
• to promote peace and understanding between peoples and development of international contacts;

Working groups:
At the moment “New Group” has 7 working groups that can give an idea about trends of work of the organization: Main activities: Organization of voluntary workcamps, international youth exchanges, study visits, seminars, trainings, exhibitions, festivals and other activities, realization of social, ecological, democratic, educational and other projects.

Ecological working group: workcamps, actions, seminars, campaigns, conferences etc. connected with nature protection.
Democracy working group: seminars, study tours, youth exchanges, workcamps on democracy, human rights, civil society, role of mass media and NGOs in a society, etc.
Gender working group: seminars, study tours, youth exchangers, campaigns, publications etc on gender issues men’s/women’s rights.
Working group on intercultural learning: educational programmes, workcamps, study visits, seminars, festivals, publications etc on intercultural learning.
“Real World”: deals with problems of alcoholism, drug addiction and AIDS among young people.
“Heritage”: organisation of projects connected with Belarussian national historical and cultural heritage e.g. organisation of archaeological workcamps.
“Help”: target group  - orphans, physically disadvantaged young people, socially disadvantaged young people.

Activities: workcamps, educational programmes, study visits, seminars, festivals and etc.