Omsk has once again become the capital of social entrepreneurship

On VI The International Forum «INNOSIB-2016» The experience of the non-governmental sector of social development in the Omsk region is presented.

Today, 17 November, work began in the Congress Hall of the Omsk region VI International Forum of Social Entrepreneurs and Investors «INNOSIB-2016», which gathered more than a thousand representatives from 21 the region of Russia, the countries of the near and far abroad. Among the forum participants - 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 has been formed this year, and assistance measures have been identified in various areas. The most demanded services in society are in the fields of education, health, physical culture and sports. A draft law on state (municipal) social order is currently being developed, in which all agents, including non-governmental ones, will be placed on equal terms.», - said Herman Vetrov.

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.

«Currently, more than 50 people are working in the field of social entrepreneurship in the region. 50 companies involved about 11 thousand people. From 2013 over the past year, the number of private kindergartens has increased since 14 before 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, the Omsk region has opened 6 private boarding houses that have provided 200 places to stay for elderly people in need of care. Social entrepreneurs solve the problem of optimizing government spending while providing services that are in demand in society.», - Oksana Fadina noted.

Today at the Forum, after the plenary session and panel discussions, a pilot project of the Omsk region will be presented. «Innovative social cluster». It will be activated from 2017 for the purpose 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.