AUTONOMOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE SOCIAL PEDAGOGIC ASSOCIATION «BLAGOYE DELO»

Blagoe Delo is a Russian resource centre for young people and adults with disabilities, founded in 2005 with support from the Nordic countries, Germany and the Netherlands. Over the years, the Centre has developed into an outstanding and significant driving force in the social field of the Ural region, with influence also on the federal level and the authorities in Moscow. The organization has 65 employees, of which 40 are disabled, carrying out the following activities: 1. 7 different workshops for the production of arts and crafts products 2. Inclusive, integrated theatre, music, dance and art studio 3. Educational centre with accredited education on university level for social workers 4. Social art actions and lobbying 5. Cooperation with regional and federal authorities on renewal of the social (re)habilitation system in Russia 6. International projects for the development of social therapy / social pedagogy In addition to the employees, there are 20 young people with disabilities who receive different forms of day-care activities. ACHIEVEMENTS • Development of a model of an inclusive local community for 15 years with little financial support from the state. •Conducting continuing education courses for more than 400 social workers in the region during this period. • Initiator and main organizer of the 1st World Congress for People with Disabilities in Yekaterinburg 2017 (700 participants from 30 countries)