Internships

One component of the overseas program is an internship within a local organization. Most of the participating organizations are nonprofits working on various social issues. Alisha is working for a women’s rights organization. Richard’s organization is concerned with environmental protection laws, and Danny’s is engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Work

If you let it, the work can be all translating all the time. These organizations are trying to get the word out about the work they’re doing, and so having the word in English will help it to reach wider audiences. For Richard, for example, this is perfect. Richard wants to translate for law firms, and this is exactly what he’s doing now. Added to that the cause, environmental protection, is one he feels good about supporting through his work.

In my case, I’m trying to learn about the state of education programs/programming in nonprofit organizations in Russia. This means I’m balancing translating and other tasks I’m being asked to work on with researching and learning as much about my organization’s education programs as I can.

A Note About Nonprofits

What I think is really interesting is a pretty substantial amount of activity and enthusiasm in the nonprofit sector. There are hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Saint Petersburg, and so one of the goals of my own organization, the Center for Nonprofit Development (CRNO -- Центр развития некоммерческих организаций, ЦРНО) is to foster greater cooperation between all organizations so that they can effectively meet the challenges of being a nonprofit.

The Good News

According to CRNO’s latest strategy update, the year 2010 showed an “unprecedented” amount of civil society activity through nonprofit organizations and also through initiatives supported by informal groups and social networks.

There is greater public awareness. This has been fostered by a general increase in civic youth engagement as well as greater influence of the internet and social networks.

The Challenges

There are many, as with nonprofits everywhere, but here are a few specific to the Russia context:

Funding/Finances: Nonprofit organizations must follow very strict guidelines on reporting where their funding is coming from. These guidelines change every year, and so one major function of CRNO is to research any changes in the law and set up seminars and training sessions for fiscal directors of other organizations.

In addition, funding sources are dwindling. Foreign granting foundations have cut back funding and narrowed the thematic orientation of various grants, while in Russia, there is no infrastructure for the giving and receiving of grants by nongovernmental bodies. For example, there are no privileges for corporate philanthropy.

Public Image: As I said, there is greater public awareness. However, this requires extra vigilance on the part of nonprofits to make sure that they’re getting the right kind of press. Even when it comes to municipal services, like snow removal, civil organizations can run the risk of drawing the ire of local authorities.

Education: There is a lot of enthusiasm in the third sector. However, there is a need for qualified employees and, more importantly, a way for employees to get qualified. There are currently no educational programs in nonprofit management and administration in Saint Petersburg.

However, organizations are tackling this problem as well. Through the forum, Social Petersburg ("Социальный Петербург"), a group has decided to discuss the issue of instituting a system for advancing employee qualifications in various areas of nonprofit administration and leadership. 

Opportunities for Flagship Students

This is an exciting but rocky time to be in the third (nonprofit) sector  in Saint Petersburg. The combination of increased public awareness and support combined with the increase in governmental restrictions underscores the necessity of the work that these organizations are doing. If you come here, you’ll have an opportunity to talk with your colleagues and learn about the issues they’re working on. Take advantage of it! You’ll have a chance to help them make a difference.

Sources:

1. Центр развития некоммерческих организаций. (2011) Стратегии ЦРНО до 2014 г. Saint Petersburg, Russia.