Brief description

Russia has dropped ten positions in the Global Gender Equality Index in the last two years and is currently ranking 81st. This development is reflected in the society by the state’s promotion of clearly misogynistic “traditional family values”, including decriminalising domestic violence in 2017 which has led to a worsening situation for victims of DV.

In 2013 a law forbidding “homosexual propaganda towards minors” was passed which has led to an increase of homophobia and violence against LGBTIQ+ in the following years, a group that has also been severely affected by the pandemic.

Despite Russia’s ratification of the 1951 Convention on Refugees, the asylum institute in Russia is practically non-existent. Most of the migrants are involved in precarious work, their labour rights constantly being violated. Additionally, refugees and migrants have no access to the public healthcare system because of the lack of insurance and the prohibitive cost of medical care.

All of the above-mentioned problems are insufficiently dealt with by the State, in some cases even worsened. Thus, the efforts of CSOs to support VGs and to urge GOs to comply with international agreements are crucial. Since the crackdown on civil society following the bolotnaya protests in 2012, resulting in laws about foreign agents and undesired organisations, the financial situation of many CSOs has gotten tense as well. Many “traditional” channels for CSOs to receive money are blocked or you might have to face legal consequences. Therefore, connecting CSOs with “non-traditional” actors in the field like Social Entrepreneurs, the financial situation as well as the impact and outreach can be improved.

Therefore we see a great potential to improve the situation by uniting efforts of different CSO, SEs and friendly GOs and Local Authorities

Key activities and projected results

The project will bring together NGOs, social entrepreneurs, and government representatives to help women, who became victims of gender based violence, migrants, and LGBTQ+. The project targets several Russian cities, in particular Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Barnaul, Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg.

In the course of two years there will be round tables, trainings and seminars dedicated to the relevant topics for the target groups. Some of them are strategic planning, internal communications, fundraising and SMM.

Regional organizations will be able to share experiences with each other and learn about international examples of effective work with the state and society, among others through international exchanges. That will help connect different actors to each other and create a network for a sustainable development of those activities.

To ensure that socially vulnerable groups with no or insufficient legal protection have better access to information on and help by local CSOs, medical and legal assistance will be provided for migrants, refugees and stateless persons. Sub-grants will help CSOs to improve the access to their socio-economic services for VG in challenging times and awareness rising campaigns as well as trainings on innovative outreach formats will ensure a long-term improvement on the provided

By working together, project participants will also help break down homophobic, xenophobic, and sexist stereotypes for a wider audience.

Duration: 15/04/2021 – 14/04/2023 (24 months)

Total Project Budget:  772.162,29 EUR

EU Contribution:  600 000 EUR

Location/s:  Russiа

Implementing Partners:  Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and Civic Assistance Committee