Omsk has once again become the capital of social entrepreneurship

The experience of the non-governmental sector of social development in the Omsk region was presented at the VI International Forum INNOSIB-2016.

Today, on November 17, the VI International Forum of Social Entrepreneurs and Investors INNOSIB-2016 began its work in the Congress Hall of the Omsk region, which brought together more than a thousand representatives from 21 regions of Russia, CIS and far abroad. The forum participants include representatives of federal authorities, Russian and international experts, and social investors involved in social entrepreneurship.

Vladimir Companeishchikov, Deputy Chairman of the Omsk Region Government, opening the Forum, noted the importance of social entrepreneurship in the development of civil society and the state economy. In his opinion, entrepreneurs providing social services know the demand of the population and are focused on the needs of their clients, which means they are able to take on some of the functions of the state. The main topic of discussion at the Forum is related to the effective use of social initiatives in economic development, as well as the prospects for government support in this area.

German Vetrov, Director of the Department of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, recalled the tasks set by Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen state support for non-profit organizations providing social services.

"The country continues to develop a regulatory framework to support socially oriented non-profit organizations (SO NPOs). In 2016, a Roadmap was formed, and assistance measures were identified in various areas. Services in the field of education, health protection, physical culture and sports are most in demand in society. A draft law on the state (municipal) social order is currently being developed, in which all agents, including non-governmental ones, will be placed on equal terms," German Vetrov said.

The federal head also reported on the development of a draft law to support debt financing from NGOs, a draft law on allowing the activities of social entrepreneurs in individual residential buildings and measures to support resource centers. Socially-oriented activities are taken into account when forming government programs to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Oksana Fadina, Minister of Economy of the Omsk Region, made proposals on the introduction of new forms of financial support for social entrepreneurs and the removal of administrative barriers to their employment. She noted that the Omsk region provides financing for the implementation of social projects not only within the framework of federal programs, but also from the regional budget.

Social entrepreneurship in the Omsk region began with individual enthusiasts who wanted to be useful to people and were willing to invest part of the proceeds in the development of society. Now this direction brings real returns to the regional economy and contributes to improving the quality of life of residents of Omsk.

"Now more than 50 companies are working in the field of social entrepreneurship in the region, about 11 thousand people are involved. Since 2013, the number of private kindergartens has increased from 14 to 79 units. The tasks are being solved not only to provide places for preschoolers, but also to provide various services for their development and education, thereby increasing the number of additional jobs. In recent years, 6 private boarding houses have been opened in the Omsk region, providing 200 places for elderly citizens in need of care. Social entrepreneurs are solving the problem of optimizing government spending while providing services that are in demand in society," Oksana Fadina noted.

Today, after the plenary session and panel discussions, the pilot project of the Omsk region "Innovative Social Cluster" will be presented at the Forum. It will be launched in 2017 with the aim of comprehensive development of the non-governmental social services sector. According to Oksana Fadina, the creation of such a cluster will not only solve organizational problems, but will also attract federal funds for the development of social entrepreneurship in the medium term.