Russia: survey of social enterprise in five regions
The Our Future and Khamovnki Foundations have been looking at what helps or hinders social enterprise in the regions
19.10.2026
Article published on the ASI website
Their study involved more than 200 entrepreneurs and support organisations in five Russian regions.
The Our Future Regional Social Programmes and Khamovnki Social Research Foundations have summarised the findings of two field studies on social entrepreneurship, which were carried out following last year’s competition. Two teams examined how social businesses interact with local institutions and authorities, as well as the conditions that facilitate project development.
The first group, comprising recent graduates from Moscow universities, worked in the Amur, Kirov and Leningrad regions, focusing on the entrepreneurs’ own working practices, and how they adapt to financial constraints. The analysis was based on data from the SME register, interviews and field research.
The second team studied the Tomsk and Kemerovo regions. Here, their research concentrated on the top-down support system: institutions, administrative barriers and the information environment. The researchers organised focus groups and conducted interviews with experts, as well as studying regional media.
One of the key findings is that social enterprises benefit from ongoing support once they get started. For example, in the Leningrad region, researchers described a collaboration between a crisis centre and a business incubator: women are helped to set up a start-up a business, draw up a social contract and finally secure their first orders. Diverse sources of funding and professional networks are also important.
Among the limitations, the researchers highlighted a lack of suitable premises, the dependence of projects on their author, and a lack of independent income once their grant support ends. In the Tomsk region for instance, experts noted a lack of information and little direct communication between businesses and the authorities.
“The value of these studies lies in the opportunity to hear directly from social entrepreneurs, local support organisations and local communities”, said Natalia Zvereva, Director of Our Future.
According to Natalia, field data help us understand what contributes to the development of a business and what hinders its operation and growth.
The study’s findings can also be used in the development of educational programmes at universities and in the creation of support tools for social enterprises.
