#The start of state support for nongovernmental organizations

The possibility of state funding for nongovernmental projects through grant distribution based on open competitions, which were also conducted with the assistance of the Civic Chamber of Russia, marked a significant shift in the development of civic initiatives in the country.

#Establishment of the institution of Public Councils

The creation of public councils under federal executive bodies, the bodies of power of Federation subjects, and local governance provided civil society with another important mechanism for public participation in the exercise of public authority. The Civic Chamber played a significant role in the formation of public councils, and its members joined the majority of the established advisory bodies.

#Systemic changes in the development of civil society

The Civic Chamber published the first results of new studies of key social practices of civil society that form its foundation: volunteering and charitable activities, participation in the activities of nonprofit organizations and initiatives of informal citizen associations, among others. A comprehensive expert assessment of civil society’s impact on governmental and public life was presented.

#Russia, forward!

Civil society actively participated in the discussion and resolution of problems related to the international economic crisis, which also affected Russia. Throughout the year, public organizations conducted monitoring of the development of crisis phenomena by industry and region. Based on independent monitoring, reports and analytical notes were prepared for the general public and the country’s leadership. The 2009 Annual Report of the Civic Chamber was no exception.

#Public diplomacy

Public diplomacy has become one of the most dynamically developing and influential areas of policy. In 2010, the Concept of International Activities of the Civic Chamber of Russia was developed and approved. From this year onwards, the Civic Chamber has continued to systematically expand constructive interaction with foreign public and civil organizations.

#Social networks and the blogosphere

Civil society has become more “tenacious,” technologically advanced, and information literate. The use of new technological capabilities allows for problems to be quickly communicated to a wide audience, facilitates the mobilization of public opinion, and supports the development of consolidated positions. The Internet and social networks are gradually becoming the most significant tools for civic self-organization. Public institutions, including the Civic Chamber, actively contribute to the institutionalization of public initiatives.

#Citizen self-organization

The relationship between authorities and society became the focus of civil society discussions in 2012. During this period, the Civic Chamber of Russia noted the formation of a pronounced public demand for justice within society. The relevance of problems such as the establishment of inequitable relations with officials, the low degree of information provision, and the lack of participation of interested citizens in the process of making and implementing management decisions indicated the need to develop and apply new social technologies for reconciling public interests.

#Public oversight

The participation of civil society in the sociopolitical process takes on various forms, ranging from public oversight to various public procedures. At the level of public institutions, active discussions on legislative initiatives for regulating this activity are underway. Following the meeting of the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Development in September 2013, the President of Russia instructed to prepare a draft federal law “On the Foundations of Public Oversight in the Russian Federation” for submission to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly. The adoption of the Public Oversight Law in 2014 marked a significant step towards the development of civil society in the Russian Federation.

#Crimean spring

The challenges faced by Russia in 2014—such as the Ukrainian crisis, the reunification with Crimea, attempts at international isolation, and economic pressure—became factors of unprecedented patriotic upsurge and public consolidation among citizens. In 2014, for the first time, the composition of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation included representatives from all subjects of the Russian Federation, including the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as per the federal laws signed by the President of Russia.

#Community forums

Since 2015, the Civil Forums “Community” have become a new long-term format for the Civic Chamber of Russia’s work with civil society. In 2015, nine “Community” forums were held in various regions of Russia, including the city of Sevastopol. Over the years, the “Community” forums have established themselves as one of the leading platforms for discussing crucial issues of the country’s socioeconomic development.

#Development of the third sector

The Civic Chamber of Russia notes the progressive development of the nonprofit sector in the Russian Federation, the growth of its economic stability, the formation of skills for working with government authorities, benefactors, and the media, as well as the involvement of various social strata in the initiatives promoted by NPOs.

#Active patriotism

Against the backdrop of the dynamic growth of civic activity, the content of patriotism fills a wide variety of public movements and projects oriented towards joint meaningful actions and the realization of common goals. Solidarity is becoming a new practice and value for Russian civil society. Volunteering in various areas of public life is becoming truly widespread.

#May decrees

Achieving the goals of national projects outlined in the May decree of the President of Russia has become the main national sociopolitical task. The Civic Chamber of Russia, together with the civic chambers of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, has engaged in monitoring the implementation of national projects, helping civil society articulate its interests and shape them into concrete, actionable proposals for the authorities.

#Public-state partnership

The increase in the state’s trust towards public institutions has significantly expanded the role and participation of civil society in the country’s development. On this foundation, a new standard of civil society participation is gradually being formed, which implies a transition from control to involving society in the preparation of major governance decisions based on mutually responsible partnership with the state.

#Constitution

The President of Russia proposed a series of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation through a nationwide vote, aimed at further developing the country. The active participation of civil society in the preparation and discussion of the constitutional amendments and the subsequent nationwide voting became the basis for a national consensus around the updated Fundamental Law of the country.

#WEARETOGETHER

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a treacherous blow to all spheres of public life without exception, and in one way or another, every citizen in our country faced its consequences. Under these conditions, civil society was able to consolidate and join forces with the state to mitigate and eliminate the consequences of this global biological catastrophe.

#Support for special military operation

Since the beginning of the special military operation, the primary task for Russian civil society institutions has been to form a unified humanitarian space, creating conditions for public, project-based, and socially beneficial activities across the territories of the new regions. The Civic Chamber of Russia became one of the central platforms for implementing humanitarian projects, providing systematic assistance, and fostering interaction at the level of public institutions and nonprofit organizations.

#Integration of new territories

Throughout 2023, under the coordination of the responsible ministries and agencies, comprehensive work was deployed to ensure the security, restoration, and socioeconomic development of the new territories. Russian civil society made a significant contribution to the integration of the new regions into the all-Russian socioeconomic and cultural space during 2023. Alongside other institutions, the Civic Chamber focused its efforts on assisting with the implementation of civil initiatives in the new regions.