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Current Issues in Community Development in Russia

Prof. Elena Shomina

National Research University –Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia

Community – is not “organization” That is

familiar faces at the yard, at the shop…

active residents, who are ready to invest their time and efforts in

community development interested in clean and safe neighborhood proud of their yard, neighborhood, village,

town… willing to came back and invite guests…

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Community –

That is

- a trust to local policemen or doctor, neighbor or deputy

- a will to save, to improve, to make more beautiful and attractive

- hundreds of ties connected you with THIS neighborhood and with these neighbors

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What is :Self-organizing” and public participation?

Self-organizing – that is a way of life, method of practical and everyday participation in local life,

possibility to participate in decision making and solving local problems

This participation is the most progressive and fruitful, if we do it together with other people, if we create different community groups.

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Organized and recognized First community group created self-

management committee 1988 –as a result of local environmental conflict in one small neighborhood in Moscow

After 4 days of active and collective actions the First self-management committee (SMC) was recognized by Moscow authorities.

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Why neighbors create community group,

or community based organization? To protect their territory from unwanted

construction (NIMBY) To improve their living environment To organize leisure time for young and

senior citizens To improve social services To improve housing services

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community development reflect the changes in social and political life.

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Compare 1993 and 2011 Guidelines or laws about

NGOs hardly exist Very few unregistered

community groups exist ONLY voluntary character

of work Base - own initiatives of

the local residents Participants – mainly

senior people Main activity –support for

ill and poor

Key federal laws are in place:

2 thousands of registered impossible to calculate of unregistered

For many it is paid job Initiatives of local

authorities Participants – both young

and senior Main field – housing and

land8

Community groups and LA

No support from local authorities

Level of support depend on the attitude of local councils

No recognition from local authorities

Grants and subsidies from municipal, regional or (seldom) state budgets

community small grants competitions

Level of support depend on the attitude of local councils

Full recognition in 30 ?? cities

No recognition from local authorities in hundreds

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Education field No professionals like

community organizers, community workers

NO TRAINING CENTERS

No faculties, no courses at the universities, no text-books, no PhD dissertations.

No Master’ programmers

Professionalism of community leaders

Old leaders became skilled! But no professionals, no specialty.

TRAINING CENTERS exist

No faculties, no Master programmers, 3(5) special courses at the universities, 1 small text book, 3 PhD dissertations,

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Fields of activity Beautification Involvement of youth Protection from unwanted construction (High-rise

buildings in a small yards) Control (quality and quantity of housing and other local

services) Conflict resolution leisure time for young and senior citizens Information (local sites and local newspapers ) Social support of people in need

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Summer camps near home: work and rest

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Voluntary work: cleaning and beautification

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Looks better…

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Looks better

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Songs of our yardSongs of our yard

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Neighbors'’ Day in Angarsk

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Key problems Not enough recognition by local authorities No enough initiatives of the residents No support from the public – from the neighbors Community groups are used by political parties

(particularly before elections) Community groups are used by local administration

(without adequate finances) No professional community organizers No special profrssional education in community field

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Key victories (sometimes difficult to see…) Recognition by the local authorities and neighbors

in different cities Better yards and streets Safe and friendly local environment Lower payments for housing and utility services

(as a result of control, collective demands, voluntary works)

People feel more protected, more confident, more respected

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New community infrastructure support institutions, resource centers,

community foundations and other infrastructure elements of local civil society in partnership with local government and business;

Many City Federations of SMCs Attempt to create National Community

Federation

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Development of community =

local residents’ experience, spirit, skills, demands and active participation

resulted

in better “quality”

of local authorities22

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Zelenograd

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Veliky Ustug -North

Kirilov

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Suzdal

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Moscow Kremlin