- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Strengthening Civic Space
- Grant Amount $150,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2009–December 31, 2010
- Location Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
- Geographic Focus Russia
About this grant
The program goal is to promote civic engagement and the mobilization of community resources through volunteerism. The Nizhni Novgorod Voluntary Service will develop the "TimeBank" volunteer brokering system in Nizhni Novgorod and, ultimately, the surrounding regions of Russia. The grantee will conduct an intensive public awareness campaign focused on volunteerism. Its staff will undergo training in the use of time-matching software and volunteer management and motivation. Staff members will undertake study visits to Britain to see established TimeBanks in operation. Nizhni Novgorod Voluntary Service will contract with and train six local partner organizations who will oversee the development of the model in their towns. At the end of this initial two-year period, Nizhni Novgorod Voluntary Service expects to have no fewer than 1,000 people regularly contributing time and services to the TimeBank. Established in 1997, Nizhni Novgorod Voluntary Service works with local businesses and charities to promote civic and community activism among young people.