Training for CSOs in development and implementation of international projects
SONGOs take part in a training course on International CSO Cooperation: Development and implementation of international projects
29.10.2021
The first day of the course organised with the support of the Federation’s Public Chamber was held on 29 October. 101 organisations from 31 Russian cities from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok have enrolled for the training. All of them work successfully in their own fields of expertise but wish to improve their skills in international cooperation in the non-profit sector.
“Over recent years, many professional and successful CSOs have appeared in Russia whose experience will be valuable and in demand from other countries. It is important for these CSOs to work on international platforms, as well as in Russia. We gave careful thought to the design of the course: we carried out a great deal of research, organised a pilot seminar and strategy session and only then did we start to put the course together”, said Elena Topoleva, Director of the Agency for Social Information.
Course participants will learn about specific aspects of communication with partners and businesses, as well as opportunities and criteria for organising individual grant competitions on the theme of international cooperation.
Among the tutors are well-known experts including Eduard Zalyalov, head of the CSO section of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s International Organisations Department; Olga Zubkova, President of the “Lampa” international film festival; Anastasia Lozhkina, a fundraising advisor and founder of the Fundraisers Club; Vladimir Tatarinov, advisor to the CEO of the Presidential Grants Foundation; Oksana Silantieva, multi-media producer, trainer and consultant in internal, external and mass communications, marketing and management of multi-media projects.
“International activities have many advantages for a CSO, including more opportunities to receive grants, earning respect in the eyes of donors and partners, having access to new technologies and expertise, as well as achieving more publicity”, said Dmitry Polikanov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs. “It is also very important to show the rest of the world that we have CSOs with excellent reputations and proven expertise that can make a real difference”, said Polikanov.
The course will run until 22 December after which the participants will be asked to present their projects.
All those who successfully complete their training and present their final projects will be able to take part in the Accelerator of Russian CSO International Projects competition to be held next year with support from the Federal Agency for Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo).
Severstal is a partner of the training course. Natalya Poppel, advisor to the CEO of the company’s sustainable development section, spoke at the start of the course highlighting the firm’s best practices in this area and wished those taking part every success.
Translated by Neil Hailey
