1 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… 2

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 3

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. 4

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. 5

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 6

community development reflect the changes in social and political life. 7

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 land 8

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 9

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, 10

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 11

Summer camps near home: work and rest 12

Voluntary work: cleaning and beautification 13

Looks better… 14

Looks better 15

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Songs of our yard 17

Neighbors'’ Day in Angarsk 18

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 19

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 20

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 21

Development of community = local residents’ experience, spirit, skills, demands and active participation resulted in better “quality” of local authorities 22

23 Zelenograd

24 Veliky Ustug -North

Kirilov 25

26 Suzdal

27 Moscow Kremlin