Capital: Moscow
Area: 17.1 million km²
Population: 147 million(December 2000 est.)
Ethnic groups: Around 80% are Russian, other ethnic groups include Tatar, Ukrainian, Chuvash, Bashkir, Byelorussian, and Kazhak
Official language(s): Russian
Religion(s): Russian Orthodox and Islam
Currency: 1 rouble = 100 kopek
SOS Children's Villages' activities in the country
The first talks about setting up SOS Children's Villages in the former Soviet Union were held with the Soviet Lenin Children's Foundation in 1988. Two years later, the executive committee of the Moscow City Peoples' Deputation approved the construction of an SOS Children's Village in Terechowo. However, the intended plot of land proved to be unsuitable and in 1992 the plans had to be changed and an alternative found. Finally the SOS Children's Village was built in Tomilino, a district of Moscow, not far from the city centre. The first families moved in in May 1996.
Two more SOS Children's Villages were built in the ensuing years: one in the city of Orjol, about 350 kilometres south of Moscow and the other in Pushkin, 17 kilometres south of St. Petersburg. The latter being declared one of SOS-Kinderdorf International's jubilee projects for the 50th anniversary celebrations. At the request of the city of Murmansk, SOS Children's Villages Norway carried out an aid programme with the help of the Norwegian Red Cross in November 1998. 2,600 children living in orphanages or with foster parents were provided with winter clothing and hygiene articles. In continuation of this, the fourth Russian SOS Children's Village went into construction in Kandalaksha, about 250 kilometres south of Murmansk, in February 2001.
As the need for a facility for the youths from SOS Children’s Village Lavrovo was ever-increasing, the first Russian SOS Youth Facility was opened in Orjol. Two more were to follow: one in Moscow and the other one in St. Petersburg.
In January 2006 SOS Children's Villages Russia took over the so-called Foster Family Project which was initiated and run for several years by SOS Children's Village Norway. The aim of the project is to support foster families financially and ensure that children who are in need of a temporary placement find a home in a crisis foster family. In the same year SOS Children's Villages Russia started to operate Family Strengthening Programmes, which enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their family to grow within a caring family environment. To achieve this, SOS Children's Villages Russia works directly with families and communities to empower them to effectively protect and care for their children, in cooperation with local authorities and other service providers.
Preparations for the construction of two new SOS Children's Villages – one in Pskov, the other in Vologda – are under way. Construction start is planned in autumn 2008.
At present there are four SOS Children’s Villages, three SOS Youth Facilities and nine SOS Social Centres in Russia.
Website of SOS Children's Villages Russia
(available in English and Russian)