Foreign Volunteers Will Be Able to Participate in Volunteer Projects in Russia

Opportunities for international cooperation were discussed by representatives of NPOs at the World Youth Festival. Among other things, the event announced a project for foreign volunteers who will be able to visit Russia and familiarize themselves with the development of volunteerism in our country.

Dmitry Polikanov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, raised an important question about resources for international partnership. He noted that there are plenty of opportunities for the Russian non-profit sector. To popularize the area, the agency, together with the Gorchakov Foundation and the Presidential Grants Fund, created the training course "NPOs Without Borders", which helps Russian public organizations to immerse themselves in the subtleties of cooperation and encourages authors of social projects to scale their projects to the international level. 

"Our second story about reciprocal exchanges is "Mission "GOODNESS". This is a project in conjunction with the Association of Volunteer Centers. The point is that Russian volunteers come to other countries and help people. Starting this year, we want to conduct an experiment and bring foreign volunteers to Russia to familiarize them with the work of Russian NPOs and give them the opportunity to work in the field, gain new experience and teach our colleagues from the non-profit sector", ‒ Polikanov noted.

The international volunteer program "Mission "GOODNESS" was launched by Rossotrudnichestvo together with the AVC in 2021. During this time, Russian volunteers have helped residents of 13 countries, including the CIS, Syria, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Egypt.

Another tool for building international ties is the "Time of Good Deeds" forums held abroad. According to the deputy head of Rossotrudnichestvo, representatives of Russian NPOs are invited there to meet foreign colleagues from the sector. 

"At this event, they meet their colleagues. During the discussion they not only discuss some of their pressing problems, but also generate joint projects. A certain legacy has already emerged, and projects are being born: inclusive theaters, training psychologists to work with survivors of armed conflict, and others. We intend to expand this practice. And if earlier we focused on the countries of the near abroad, now we want to go further more actively," Polikanov added.

He also drew attention to the fact that Russia has several sources of funds for the development of public diplomacy projects. Polikanov named key grantmaking organizations:

"The Presidential Grants Fund has a separate area of "public diplomacy", which supports primarily Russian non-profit organizations. The Gorchakov Foundation, which works not only with Russian but also foreign NPOs, supports them with grants. The Russian World Foundation provides grants to promote Russian language and literature. Fund to Support the Protection of Compatriots' Rights.

First of all, it supports projects related to the Russian diaspora abroad".

Leila Badalova, Head of the Center for International Projects of the Association of Volunteer Centers, noted the #MYVMESTE International Award as a source of funds for the development of social projects for foreign community members. 

"Our goal is to establish cooperation with non-profit organizations from different countries in the format of friendship and exchange of experience. We launched the Award on March 2. Applications for foreign participants will be accepted until May 20, 2024. Over 4 years, representatives from 95 countries have participated in the Award. Cumulatively, they have helped 30 million people around the world. Each year our winners receive $10,000 each to develop their own projects. This is not a grant format, but an award format," said Leila Badalova.

She also added that this year, which is held under the auspices of the volunteer movement in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Association of Volunteer Centers has established a special nomination "CIS Volunteer" within the international track of the #MYVMESTE – We Are Together AWARD. In addition, the organization will conduct internships for leaders and activists from CIS countries in leading Russian NPOs. One of such internships will be held in the Dobrino Competence Center in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug - Yugra.