RELOCATED BELARUSIAN BUSINESSes IN THE:
HOW MANY?
WHAT DO THEY DO?
WHAT IS THEIR IMPACT?
ABBA collects data on how many Belarusian companies and private enterprises are currently working in the European Union, how many jobs were created. We survey Belarusian businesses in the EU regarding the current assessment of the state of business and the main problems , especially financial. These data will be used in the development of recommendations regarding business conditions for officials and institutions from countries that receive business migrants from Belarus. You can find more detailed information in the publications below.
>9 300
companies
with Belarusian
shareholders in the EU
80% of them are in Poland
Wholesale and retail,
Transporting and storage,
Construction in top3
73% registered after 2020
>25 800
jobs created by
companies with
Belarusian
origin in the EU
68% of them are in Poland
self-employed not included
>20 000
individual entrepreneurs
Belarusians in the EU
4% of Belarusians abroad
estimated to be business
owners
14% of Belarusians abroad
estimated to be
self-employed/freelancers
>€2.6 bln
revenue of companies
with Belarusian owners
in Poland in 2023
40% growth in revenues
comparing to 2022
29% of revenues generated
by top20 companies
BELARUSIAN BUSINESS BAROMETER
This Belarusian Business Barometer (BBB) provides an estimate of Belarusians’ entrepreneurial activity in the EU. ABBA analyses two types of business activity: businesses with Belarusian shareholders, and sole proprietorships run by Belarusian citizens. BBB presents the number of Belarusian enterprises in the EU, their dynamics and economic impact on the host countries, as well as the key problems these businesses face. Also, BBB covers the number of Belarusians in the EU and estimates the number of Belarusian citizens active as sole proprietors. Finally, BBB investigates the revenues of companies with Belarusian shareholders in Poland, focusing on various industries and countries.
BELARUSIAN
BUSINESS
BAROMETER
surveyS of Belarusian firms
ABBA performs surveys of the relocated Belarusian businesses in the EU to estimate their structure, performance, the key issues that they face, as well as to dive deeper into various aspects of their activities. See the specific surveys below for more information.
Financial Needs of Belarusian Entrepreneurs Abroad
September-October 2023 (together with CASE)
Online survey of 102 entrepreneurs and 5 interviews carried out in September-October 2023
focused at understanding what are the key financial constraints and needs of the Belarusian
companies and sole proprietorships in the EU countries. We found out that access to finance
remains the key barrier for development for Belarusian companies in the EU.
Choice of country for doing business by Belarusian Entrepreneurs in the EU
February-March 2024 (together with CASE)
Online survey of 125 entrepreneurs and 5 interviews carried out in February-March 2024
aimed at understanding what are the factors of choosing a country of doing a business in the EU.
We found out that Poland is the most preferable choice for Belarusians due to both economic
and socio-political factors.
Belarusian Women Entrepreneurs in the EU: Qualitative Study
April 2025 (together with CASE)
The main questions of the research presented in this report were formulated as
follows: What are the peculiarities of the unique entrepreneurial experience of
Belarusian women in the EU, especially in Poland and Lithuania? What are the
specific factors and barriers that determine their motivation, challenges, and
opportunities for starting or continuing their entrepreneurial activities while in
emigration?
Belarusian Entrepreneurship in the EU: Qualitative Study
April 2025 (together with CASE)
What motivated Belarusians to start or relocate their businesses to Poland or
Lithuania, and what their experience has been like, along with the challenges
encountered by Belarusian companies in their host countries are all key points
explored through insights gathered from ten interviews with Belarusian
entrepreneurs.
SURVEYS
OF RELOCATED
BELARUSIAN
FIRMS
BETTER ACCESS TO FINANCE
In a series of policy papers written together with CASE - Centre for Social and Economic Research, we examines financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owned by Belarusians in the European Union through alternative to traditional banking loans. The policy papers note that Belarusian entrepreneurs in Europe face restricted access to traditional bank loans, mainly due to a lack of collateral, sanctions, and short credit histories. For these businesses, credit guarantee schemes, equity markets, and crowdfunding platforms are considered as an alternative way to raise capital from a broader base of investors. Proposed solutions aim to integrate Belarusian entrepreneurs into the EU economy, bolster their impact, and support economic reforms in Belarus.
BETTER
ACCESS TO
FINANCE
analyTICAL REPORT:
Exploring the Entrepreneurial Potential
of Belarusian Migrants in the EU
Our colleagues from CASE - Centre of Social and Economic Research prepared the analytical report that highlights the potential of Belarusian migrants as entrepreneurs and the need for policy adjustments to promote their economic integration and business success in the EU.
This Working Paper aims to deepen the understanding of Belarusian migration to the EU, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship among Belarusian migrants.
Particularly, in the study you will find:
Assessing the scale and characteristics of Belarusian migration – analysing demographic and socio-economic profiles, including education, employment sectors, age and gender distribution.
Exploring entrepreneurial tendencies – examining the propensity of Belarusian migrants to start businesses, the sectors they enter and their contribution to the economy.
Identifying challenges and opportunities – addressing barriers such as funding, regulations, language and discrimination, while recognising the benefits of cultural adaptability and transnational networks.
Evaluating EU policies – analysing how existing policies support or hinder migrant entrepreneurship and identifying areas for improvement.
ANALYTICAL
REPORT
PRESENTATIONS:
OUR RESEARCH PARTNERS:
