Читать книгу: «Позитивные изменения. Том 3, № 4 (2023). Positive changes. Volume 3, Issue 4(2023)», страница 20

New Life of the Publishing Project “Catalog “Social Entrepreneurship of Russia”

“A Journal Within a Journal” – that's what you can call this section. It is an extension of the Social Entrepreneurship in Russia catalog published since 2014. Since 2021, the catalog has become part of the Positive Changes Journal.¹⁴⁴

The Green Cause Project

Waste Collection and Sorting for Recycling.

The Green Cause is a project that offers the residents of Kaliningrad the opportunity to separate their waste and reduce the amount of garbage generated. Kaliningrad residents only need to accumulate 5 kg of recyclable materials, and a waste collector will come to pick it up for recycling. This service is provided free of charge to the city’s inhabitants.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

The average Russian generated a staggering 312.6 kg of waste in 2022, according to data from Rosprirodnadzor, as reported by the analytical service of FinExpertiza audit and consulting network.

Solid Municipal Waste (SMW), which includes common household garbage resulting from human activities, is primarily produced by urban residential neighborhoods, offices, and private homes. When waste is recycled and reintroduced into the production cycle, it operates within the framework of a circular economy, minimizing damage to the environment. However, only 6.6 % out of the 45.9 million tons of SMW produced in 2022 was recycled, FinExpertiza report states.

Paper and cardboard rank second in household waste after food waste, with plastics in third place, followed by glass and metals in fourth and fifth positions. All of these materials can be sorted and processed for recycling rather than being disposed of in landfills.

The Green Cause project was initiated by Ecomir, a social enterprise based in Kaliningrad that specializes in collecting recyclable materials from the public and facilitating their subsequent sorting and recycling.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Oleg Paukov, the founder of The Green Cause project, was inspired by a television program in 2015 that showcased enthusiasts collecting recyclable materials from garbage bins and subsequently selling them to recycling facilities. He thought it would be more efficient to collect the recyclables directly from households and corporate offices. To test his idea, Oleg sold his car to buy a small panel van, consulted a business directory, and began reaching out to companies, offering waste paper removal services. People responded positively, and the service quickly gained popularity. Initially, Oleg Paukov offered 1 ruble per kilogram of recyclables while selling them to processors at 5 rubles per kilogram. This formed the foundation of his business model.

Over time, the volume of work expanded, the variety of accepted recyclables broadened, and the project gained employees, a small warehouse, partners, a project website, and a social media presence.

The project currently operates as follows: residents submit requests on the website, specifying the type and weight of recyclable waste they want disposed of. A collector then arrives on a convenient day to pick up the accumulated recyclables. The following materials are accepted for recycling:

• Waste paper;

• Cardboard;

• Aluminum and tin cans;

• PET bottles;

• Clear polyethylene;

• Colored polyethylene;

• Clear and colored bags marked #5;

• Polypropylene bags and big bags (soft containers used for transporting goods);

• Polypropylene twine;

• Bottles, containers and cups (marked #1, #4, #5);

• Bottles (marked #2);

• PVC products (panels, skirting boards, pipes, etc.).

Recyclable materials are compacted into bales at the warehouse and then delivered to major wholesalers and recycling facilities. Individuals can also drop off their recyclables at the nearest separate waste collection container. The container map is available on The Green Cause project website for convenience.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

In 2016, The Green Cause project received the Amber Mercury Business Award from the Kaliningrad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in two categories: “Successful Startup” and “Best Small Enterprise in Creative Industries.”

In 2017, the project was honored with the “Impulse of Goodness” Award in the “Personal Contribution to the Development of Social Entrepreneurship” category.

In 2021, the project secured a regional grant in the form of a subsidy amounting to 5.4 million rubles for implementing elements of separate solid municipal waste accumulation.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2022

The project successfully collected 23.5 tons of PET bottles, 200 tons of cardboard, and 50 tons of white paper.

SOCIAL IMPACT ACHIEVED DURING THE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD

In 2019, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Kaliningrad region sought the assistance of The Green Cause project in organizing the collection of recyclable materials through dedicated containers. The initial installation of 60 collection sites took place at the end of 2019, enabling the depositing of paper, plastic bottles, and metal. In 2020 and 2021, The Green Cause won a regional competition to maintain and oversee these collection points. Subsequently, an additional 30 containers were installed, featuring a dedicated section for glass recycling, and then another 71. Presently, Kaliningrad boasts 161 separate waste collection sites. Given the increased volume of recyclable materials, the regional waste management operator, the “Unified Waste Management System” State Enterprise of Kaliningrad Region, took on the responsibility of maintaining these containers. Oleg Paukov, The Green Cause founder, was invited to spearhead the development of a comprehensive regional waste separation initiative. The Green Cause continues its mission under the leadership of the project’s new head, Alexandra Tsirulnikova, still accepting requests from residents and offices in Kaliningrad and surrounding areas for the removal of recyclable materials. The project also remains committed to its environmental education efforts.

Project founder Oleg Paukov is proud to note that Kaliningrad has become the pioneering Russian city to establish separate waste collection for three distinct types of raw materials: PET, metal, and paper/cardboard. That’s three different containers, unlike the standard two found in other cities.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

Collecting recyclable materials from the public to be resold to processors and major buyers.

PROJECT IMPACT

According to its founder, The Green Cause project has encouraged the residents of Kaliningrad to actively participate in waste separation, marking a significant departure from the earlier limited volunteer efforts. As of the end of 2021, approximately 78,000 people in the Kaliningrad region are actively engaged in separate waste collection – a statistic disclosed by Governor Anton Alikhanov via his social media channels.

The Green Cause project has also played a pivotal role in promoting a culture of waste separation among the local populace. Through its initiatives, it has popularized the practice of waste sorting and recycling within the community. The project author’s observations indicate a noticeable reduction in the average contamination levels of recyclables in the dedicated collection containers. Up to 80 % of the container content was contaminated at the project’s inception. Within a few years, this number has dropped to a commendable 20 %. This shift underscores the increasing awareness of the public regarding the infrastructure for environmentally-friendly waste disposal. It is also proof of substantial environmental education efforts that include lectures, workshops, social advertising campaigns, debunking of myths, and press publications undertaken by The Green Cause and other environmental projects in Kaliningrad.

Probably the best illustration of the project’s impact happened in 2020, when The Green Cause was experiencing financial issues. Oleg Paukov then publicly shared his challenges in his social media accounts, which resulted in an overwhelming response from the residents and sparked public interest. As a result, Oleg received a call from the governor’s office and was invited to a meeting to discuss potential solutions.

Atmosphere Center

A Club for Engineering and Technical Creativity and a Space for Creators.

The Atmosphere Center brings together multiple educational spaces, designed to facilitate joint intellectual growth for both adults and children, including those with unique developmental needs. It also serves as a platform for the exchange of experiences among social entrepreneurs.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

The village of Muromskoye in the Zelenogradsk District lies 24 kilometers from Kaliningrad and 9 kilometers from the Baltic Sea. Prior to 1946, it bore the name Laptau, which translates to “a place teeming with foxes.” Once an expanse under the ownership of the Teutonic Order, this territory housed the stone Laptau Castle, with a German Lutheran church erected in the vicinity. During the 19th century, a parochial school operated within the village, replaced by an elementary school in Soviet times.

Presently, Muromskoye is home to approximately 800 residents. The village boasts a library and a club, yet it lacks a kindergarten and a school, which have been closed for the last three decades. Children in the village lack a dedicated space for engaging in engineering and technical creativity activities and nurturing their hard and soft skills. Meanwhile, according to hh.ru, the demand for programmers in Russia soared in 2021 by a staggering 72 % within a single year. The market yearns for specialists with teamwork and independent problem-solving skills, possessing a profound understanding of information technologies and a readiness to strive for excellence. Offering vocational guidance to teenage residents of the village and introducing them to the realms of robotics and programming represents an opportunity to unlock their potential and equip them for the professions of the future.

It was here, amidst the remnants of the Teutonic castle and a century-old school, that Yulia Taranova, an entrepreneur from Kaliningrad, embarked on a mission to craft a haven for those who “think and create.” This endeavor gave birth to the Educational and Intellectual Development Center known as “Atmosphere,” which opened its doors on September 22, 2023.

“When I first set foot here, the grounds of the former school were in complete disrepair. It was autumn, and the sun cast its warm glow upon the scene, surrounded by ancient trees. So I couldn’t help but think, ‘What an incredible place! We must restore the school and create an environment where both children and adults can feel great.’ Our villages are seeds of potential. And I aspire for the children here to have opportunities to flourish. Just like many of our fellow Kaliningraders, I had no knowledge of the existence of Muromskoye village. Yet now I am confident that soon it will be a name recognized not only within the Kaliningrad Region but across all of Russia,” shares Yulia Taranova.

The Center conducts educational sessions for children, including children with disabilities, in the form of programming and robotics camps. Furthermore, Atmosphere serves as a platform for preparing school teams for robotics and programming competitions and Olympiads, such as the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), Robofest, Amber Robot, KDHACK hackathon, and more. Various events organized by the Kaliningrad Region Association of Social Entrepreneurs, under Taranova’s presidency, are also slated to take place at the center. As a testament to this, on the inauguration day of Atmosphere, a vine weaving class was hosted by the Women’s Carpentry Workshop for Mothers with Many Children, while the Ksyunya’s Joy studio treated guests to wholesome desserts free of sugar, oil, and flour.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

Yulia Taranova firmly believes in the inherent genius of every child. While the state focuses on nurturing gifted children, this entrepreneur contends that a unique “atmosphere” is essential for unlocking the potential of any child.

The first facet of the Atmosphere Center’s work is educational classes for children, including those with disabilities. Since 2015, Taranova’s other project, the Academy of Geniuses, has been teaching children robotics and programming. Now, the Academy of Geniuses, in addition to its presence in Kaliningrad, also extends its reach to the village of Muromskoye through Atmosphere. Classes are conducted in small groups to allow children to fully apply their knowledge and receive personalized feedback from instructors. Furthermore, each student receives a tailored developmental path. The robotics and programming curriculum becomes progressively more advanced, culminating in a presentation and defense of their project in front of an audience. Upon completion, teenagers receive a portfolio of projects that can aid in university admissions.

The educators at Atmosphere are graduates of technical and pedagogical universities who possess a passion for working with children and undergo regular professional development.

The second avenue of focus entails camp sessions dedicated to programming and robotics designed for children and teenagers hailing from across Russia and other former Soviet countries. The center has three large halls for group sessions, a spacious kitchen, a campfire area for evening gatherings, and 11 lodging rooms. Atmosphere can host up to 1,500 participants annually. To partake in the programs, individuals can submit applications through https://baltsphere.ru/. Several tariff options are available, ranging from partial to full immersion in the educational program. There is also a special tariff called “Dobrosfera” (An Atmosphere Of Kindness), offering free participation for children with disabilities. The center’s premises have been meticulously designed to provide an accessible environment.

As per the founder’s vision, children and parents can stay at Atmosphere together. While children delve into the realm of IT technologies, parents have the opportunity to engage in yoga, yachting, fishing, and participate in discussions at the book club.

The third dimension involves preparing school teams for competitions and Olympiads. The Atmosphere Center actively participates in the Code of the Future federal project, which offers free training in popular programming languages to students of grades 8–11 and vocational schools. Participants acquire knowledge and skills that come in handy in preparing for the Unified State Exam (USE), the Basic State Exam (BSE), and participation in the Olympiads. This training enables students to immerse themselves in the role of an IT specialist and make informed decisions about their future professions.

Yulia Taranova, the visionary behind the Atmosphere Center, also takes the initiative in organizing regional and national events for children in the field of engineering and technology. For instance, teenagers aged 14–18 from the Kaliningrad region annually participate in KDHACK robotics hackathons, team competitions that involve solving intricate challenges within specified timeframes. For instance, during such competitions, participants design firefighting robots capable of extinguishing fires in the most challenging conditions, in places inaccessible to humans; or robots that can dispense medical test results through a separate registration desk’s window, expediting the process and reducing waiting times. These hackathons are part of the Digital Future of Russia festival.

The fourth dimension focuses on promoting social entrepreneurship in the Kaliningrad region. At the Atmosphere Center, social entrepreneurs can share knowledge, conduct masterclasses, and collaboratively address pressing issues.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

Recipient of the Soprichastnost Award for outstanding contributions to the humanitarian and social sectors (2017, Kaliningrad).

Winner of the All-Russian competition “Best Social Project 2018” in the “Best Social Project in Additional Education” nomination. The competition was organized by the Social Projects Support Fund.

Winner of the Amber Mercury Business Award presented by the Kaliningrad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2019). The project claimed the title of “Best Small Enterprise in the Service Sector.”

Winner of the All-Russian competition “Social Entrepreneur 2020” hosted by Our Future Foundation (an interest-free loan of 6 million rubles).

Yulia Taranova currently serves as the president of the Kaliningrad Region Association of Social Entrepreneurs, an organization established in the region in 2021.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2022

Over 4,000 children have received training in robotics and programming since the project’s inception.

The Academy of Geniuses franchise has expanded its presence to 63 cities in Russia and other former Soviet republics.

In 2022, the KDHACK hackathon, in which Atmosphere was a key organizer, received 270 applications from participants, with 20 teams competing.

SOCIAL EFFECTS

In 2022, instructors from Atmosphere and the Academy of Geniuses nurtured three winners and one finalist in the Code of the Future Olympiad in 1C. These children each earned an extra 10 points towards their Unified State Exam (USE) scores, providing them with a competitive advantage for university admissions.

Parents of the students have noticed improved performance in mathematics and computer science as their children witness practical applications.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

As previously mentioned, Yulia Taranova envisions Muromskoye, the home of Atmosphere, as a burgeoning hub. Her aspiration is to transform the village into an intellectual development center and a community of the future.

“When we first started, the area was in a state of disrepair. The village administration extended a helping hand by landscaping the surroundings. They cleared away weeds and debris, painted the lampposts, reopened the stadium, and paved bicycle lanes. There are local children here in need of productive activities. My wish is for the settlement’s residents to have access to a brighter future. I genuinely hope that our educational center, Atmosphere, will contribute to this vision,” shares Yulia Taranova.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

Sales of the Academy of Geniuses franchise and revenue generated from educational activities.

UVIVO

Services for Pet Owners.

UVIVO is a concierge service for pet owners. It offers a comprehensive ecosystem of services designed to assist owners in caring for their pets throughout their entire lifespan, from birth to old age. UVIVO delivers a full spectrum of services for pet owners, including consultations on nutrition, training, care, and maintenance, as well as the coordination of medical treatments. The service also sources professionals, from pet sitters to veterinarians and animal behaviorists. A key focus of the company’s operations is its collaboration with universities to facilitate the training of specialists in pet care.

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

The concept for UVIVO was conceived by Olga Klimova while she was a university student. The moment of inspiration came when a friend’s family, while planning a vacation, found themselves without a place to keep their dog. They asked Olga for help looking after their pet in their absence. Olga agreed, and soon she recognized the potential for a viable business. Her market research revealed that Moscow’s pet care services were significantly underdeveloped at the time, compared to those in European countries and the United States, where pet hotels and private pet sitters were readily available to care for cats and dogs while their owners were away.

UVIVO launched in 2007, initially providing specialist services for dog walking and training. As the company expanded, adding new services, it encountered a notable shortage of trained professionals in the pet care industry. Olga Klimova points out that within the Russian education system, 51 universities offer animal-related programs. However, these programs predominantly focus on agricultural livestock. In contrast, pets are classified as non-productive animals under GOST R 56928–2016, meaning they are not raised for such agricultural outputs. In other words, they are not used in producing meat, milk, wool, and other animal products.

As per the data from the city’s Department of Veterinary Medicine, there are 500,000 animals registered in Moscow that have been vaccinated against rabies. “From a statistical standpoint, these 500,000 pet owners represent our target audience. Additionally, it is estimated that around 170,000 Muscovites require some form of domestic pet care service. This need arises from various situations like vacations, business trips, or the necessity for veterinary nursing care post-surgery or during rehabilitation periods. Our analysis suggests that to cater to an audience of 170,000, we need a workforce of 33,000 specialists. In Moscow, six universities are offering animal-related courses, each producing about 1,500 graduates annually. However, the annual output of 9,000 qualified specialists falls short of meeting the demand for these domestic services required by a significant segment of the population,” Olga Klimova explains.

METHODS USED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM

To tackle the challenge of staff shortages, the company is actively engaged in three key areas: career orientation, pre-vocational education, and vocational training for specialists in animal care. UVIVO collaborates with several esteemed institutions, including the Russian Biotechnological University, RUDN University’s Veterinary Faculty, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy’s Cynology Faculty, Skryabin Moscow State Academy of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology’s Cynology Faculty, Moscow State University of Food Production’s Veterinary Faculty, Upper Volga State Agrarian Biotechnology University, Don State Agrarian University, Vyatka State Agricultural Technology University, Kursk State Agricultural Academy named after I. I. Ivanov, among others.

“What is the cornerstone of our partnerships? We integrate additional programs and activities focused on non-productive animals into the universities’ curricula. I personally deliver lectures to students at local institutions and online classes are held for the Universities in the provinces,” Olga Klimova explains.

In addition to higher learning institutions, UVIVO is expanding its efforts to develop pre-vocational and vocational education programs at secondary vocational education institutions.

“We visit schools and libraries, spending 3–4 hours talking to the students about the ecosystem, different types of pets, and animal-related professions available in the job market. These engaging sessions often conclude with a survey to identify students interested in pursuing a career working with non-productive animals. Those showing interest are then offered pre-vocational training,” Olga Klimova elaborates.

This pre-vocational training aims to guide students in choosing a career path, introduce them to the pet service market, and understand consumer behavior. Upon completion, the participants receive a certificate and a personal reference. These documents can be invaluable during college or university admissions, providing the selection committee with insights into the candidate’s potential academic performance, motivation, and specialization preferences. Thus, they become a crucial part of the students’ portfolio, supplementing the Unified State Exam (USE) score required for admission to educational institutions.

UVIVO’s vocational guidance activities, including lectures and sessions, also focus on supporting children from large and low-income families, children in challenging life situations, and orphans. Additionally, the company collaborates with various organizations, such as the “I am free” animal assistance charity fund, to which it donates a portion of its profits. UVIVO also contributes to Assets, helping to streamline business processes for pet shelters, and supports services like TeddyFood for homeless dogs and cats, the Foundation for the Protection of Urban Animals in Moscow, and the Russian Federation of Sled Sports. These collaborations highlight UVIVO’s commitment to both animal welfare and community support.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS

• UVIVO is a member of the International Anti-Counterfeit Association, leading its Pet Care Committee.

• The company has earned the distinction of being a counterfeit and falsification-free platform. This is ensured by thorough verification of the company’s suppliers.

• UVIVO was a participant in the 90 days challenge incubator at Impact Hub Moscow in 2020.

• Since 2013, UVIVO’s CEO, Olga Klimova, has been serving as an expert member of the Arbitration Court of Moscow and the Expert Commission with the Government of the Russian Federation and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) for the pet care industry. She is actively involved in the formulation of federal laws and professional industry standards.

FUNDS RAISED IN 2022

All the development was funded by own resources.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR

• Formalized agreements with 17 universities in Moscow and other regions, and initiated agreements with 7 secondary vocational education (SVE) institutions in the Moscow area.

• Organized 10 engagement sessions with target audiences (children, teenagers, students) and conducted interviews with first- and second-year SVE and university students.

DIRECT RESULTS FOR 2022

Successfully trained 14 animal care specialists to provide services to Moscow’s population. The trainees, all graduates of the Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, received the certificates.

Conducted career orientation classes and lectures for about 1,000 individuals.

SOCIAL EFFECTS ACHIEVED IN 2022

Olga Klimova highlights that the primary social impact achieved in 2022 has been the improvement of the financial well-being of their target audiences, namely children, teenagers, and students engaged with the project.

“In the 16 years that we have been in business, we have observed the growth and success of our participants. For starters, they are doing exceptionally well in terms of their financial status. Their earnings start at 600 rubles per hour, reflecting the high quality and premium nature of our services. Our clients are not just paying well; they often leave tips and gifts, too. Beyond financial gains, these guys also advance in their careers. Several of our alumni are chief veterinarians at clinics, or have started their own veterinary clinics,” the UVIVO founder elaborates.

Furthermore, pet owners benefit from high-quality services and the expertise of pet care professionals. This arrangement allows them to delegate day-to-day pet-related tasks, freeing up their time to focus on other important aspects of their lives, such as work and family.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT

Pet care professionals in the UVIVO network become active participants in the economy, registering as either self-employed individuals or as individual entrepreneurs.

“Pet care services represent a highly lucrative market segment, resilient to economic downturns. As long as people and pets coexist, there will always be a demand for feeding, medical care, general upkeep, and training of domestic animals. There is a segment of the population willing and able to pay for these services, all they need is reliable service providers. The challenge lies in the limited number of qualified professionals in the field,” UVIVO founder observes.

The company reports that the average monthly income for their line staff ranges from 50,000 to 115,000 rubles. Notably, this line of work offers the flexibility to be combined with academic pursuits, making it an attractive option for students and those seeking a balance between work and education.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY MODEL

Concierge service and sales of pet care services to pet owners.