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is production. Experts anticipate an increasing presence of local producers in cities and towns — individuals who have personally navigated from inception to execution of initiatives and can aid in locating other activists within the community capable of reshaping the social and economic landscape. Moreover, foresight moderators — specialists who facilitate defining the desired future vision and reaching agreements on actions within its context among all stakeholders — are emerging in these territories. For instance, there exists a regional community of foresight moderators in Rostov-on-Don, offering complimentary training on developing moderation skills and fostering trustful communications.
“We’ve recognized that there is no abundance of adept communicators in small towns. Often, at gatherings, every citizen clamors for attention, impeding consensus. They lack a moderator to facilitate hearing all perspectives. Thus, our School of Moderation and Communication was conceived. So far we’ve trained 118 moderators from 5 regions and 15 municipalities. Now they hold foresight sessions in small towns, where representatives of business, government, and NGOs meet. Throughout the day, they exchange views and craft roadmaps for territorial development. Our students hail from various walks of life: government officials, NGO representatives, business owners, educators, school principals, and clergy. The quality moderation training we provide is our contribution to both human capital development and territorial progress,” shares Victoria Musichenko, an expert at ANO Integra and head of the LIRO School of Moderation and Communication.
Experts anticipate an increasing presence of local producers and foresight moderators in cities and towns, capable of reshaping the social and economic landscape.
However, to ensure the visibility of activism in the city, mere community presence is insufficient; funding is imperative, notes Oleg Sharipkov, director of the Endowment Knowledge Center. Funding mechanisms include endowments, grant and social startup competitions with low entry barriers, initiative schools, and accelerators.
“When we administer micro-grant competitions and review applications, we discern the townspeople’s grievances and their readiness to tackle issues autonomously. Funding tools like endowments sustain community engagement, enhancing their living environment. Yet, horizontal connections are equally vital — we require more of them,” asserts Oleg Sharipkov.
Recognition of citizens’ endeavors in shaping a benevolent and appealing city can be found in tourism development. This is also a format highlighted by experts.
“In small towns and communities, there are invariably two patterns. There are residents inclined towards profit-making, while others greet any tourist with skepticism. I recall our trip to Myshkin in the late 90s, then a tiny town in Yaroslavl Region, near the Gazprom pipeline. We debated whether domestic tourism was viable in Russia. Presently, Myshkin’s tourist influx rivals that of island towns (editor’s note: Myshkin’s population is circa 5,000, and the city annually welcomes about 200 thousand tourists). Tourism must encompass economy, environment, community, and brands — a form of professional democracy enabling everyone to contribute manually. These principles underpin sustainable development and cost-conscious management,” remarks Evgenia Podarina, a member of the Committee for Sustainable Tourism Development at the Russian Union of Travel Industry.
Compelling instances of tourism and urban development rooted in community engagement include Vyksa’s Art Gully festival, Ivanovo Region’s distinctive locales (Ivanovo, Plyos, Palekh, Lukh), Suzdal, Uryupinsk, and Dobryanka.
HUMAN-CENTRICITY VS. TECHNOCENTRICITY
In contemplating the future of urban and community development, the discourse naturally gravitates towards human-centricity — the cultivation of an environment offering novel avenues for personal growth and enhanced self-perception. However, this ethos finds itself juxtaposed with a technocentric worldview where humans become mere data sources. Ruslan Yusufov, a futurologist and the founding managing partner of MINDSMITH, believes that given society’s accelerating digitization, it is time for us to contemplate creating an inclusive environment not only for individuals with disabilities but also for those opting to augment their health capabilities or cognitive faculties through technical enhancements. Moreover, current realities present us with stark dichotomies. On one end, there are communities and tribes rejecting modern technologies entirely, thereby evading associated risks, while on the other, individuals are increasingly integrating with technology to the extent of resembling cyborgs.
“Experiments are already underway to implant devices in the human brain that significantly enhance IQ. But will such individuals be able to effectively communicate their thoughts to us? How can we bridge the gap in life experiences to communicate effectively? Isn’t it time to consider creating a comfortable environment for these individuals? NGOs tasked with addressing social issues may find themselves ineffective without a grasp of the emerging challenges. From childcare to the issues of troubled teens and unemployment, if NGOs fail to understand the implications of AI, their efficacy may dwindle. The range of things they can influence will shrink. It is crucial for all social initiatives and organizations to get additional expertise and anticipate future needs to maintain relevance,” noted Ruslan Yusufov.
Whether discussing the present or the future, developing a quality social project should adhere to the principles of the Theory of Change,[36] asserts Gleb Likhobabin, co-founder and strategy director of Collab.
“As a bit of a geek and an IT enthusiast, I love to quantify everything. When I do something, I need to ensure, primarily for my own satisfaction, that it’s meaningful and impactful. To determine what metrics to measure, one must understand how the project functions. This is where the Theory of Change comes into play. Essentially, it’s a document outlining the inner workings of your project, explaining why the chosen path yields results. It also aids in comprehending metrics that indicate project efficacy,” shared Gleb Likhobabin.
Gleb advocates for the widespread application of the Theory of Change, emphasizing how it provides genuine insights into the mechanics of social projects. “Allow me to share a brief example. My first social project aimed to support teachers. We organized festivals for educators, teaching them how to integrate
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