Russia

From 2003 to 2005, the Civil Society Index was implemented in Russia by the St. Petersburg Center for Humanities and Political Studies “Strategy”, with the international coordination of CIVICUS. This implementation led to the publication of an analytical country report, presenting the results of the CSI initiative in the country.

An Assessment of Russian Civil Society (2005)

Over that period, the CSI Shortened Assessment Tool (CSI-SAT) was implemented.

The report provides a rich description of the current state of civil society in Russia. The findings of the CSI-SAT in Russia depict a somewhat small civil society, operating in a relatively disabling environment. While civil society’s values receive the most positive assessment, its impact on politics and society is relatively weak. The findings also indicate that civil society in Russian is in a stage of transition towards a developed civil society under democratic rule.

From 2008 to 2010, the Civil Society Index is being implemented by the Center for Studies of Civil Society and Non-for-profit Sector from the Higher School of Economics (HSE)

Civil Society in Modernising Russia (2010)

The significant economic, social and political changes of last 20 years have essentially transformed Russian civil society. Despite this, civil society had not still benefited from an adequate conceptual definition and description or a nuanced assessment of its status.

The diamond shows a relatively high score for the level of organisation of civil society. This proves that it is relatively institutionalised and stable, offering civil society a reasonable platform in which to do its work. However, the research also tells us that CSOs do not achieve a high degree of impact or significantly contribute to socio-political change in Russia, not least because of the lack of systematic interaction with authorities. This report therefore recommends that state authorities expand their interaction with CSOs and legislate to improve civil society’s environment.

The research tells us that participation in civil society activities is not a typical behavioural practice for citizens of Russia. Civic participation in Russia is limited and there are low levels of trust in CSOs. Therefore strengthening this sphere is recommended, through the use of modern methods of encouraging participation, promoting civil society work more widely, and raising awareness of the best practices of CSO activity. Civil society in Russia is also found not to be a reliable conductor by which society’s issues reach the elite and elite decisions find a way to feedback to society. It is recommended that this problem be addressed by an expansion of civil society interaction with authorities.

The country partner also compiled a Policy Action Brief with the recommendations they have for how civil society in Russia can be improved through policy changes.

CSI Country Reports in Russia