Ilsur Metshin on Good Kazan: “It feels like this project has always been with us”

128 non-profit organizations have joined the Good Kazan project, which is almost twice as many as in 2021. This allows philanthropists and the Executive Committee of the city to interact in a single mode. In six years, the social project has really taken root in the capital of the republic of Tatarstan. “It feels like the Good Kazan project has always been with us,”- Mayor Ilsur Metshin said at the 25^th session of the City Duma.

“We launched this project when there was a five-year health plan. Together with you, we have grown up to charity and patronage. Helping others is becoming the norm of life, and most importantly, residents have joined in,”- the Mayor continued. As an example, he cited the school fairs of kindness, which were first held at 19 educational institutions, but now unite all schools and districts and have become a traditional event. In 2023, schoolchildren managed to collect 6.3 million rubles, which were sent to charity. Another landmark initiative, according to Ilsur Metshin, is the opening of the Good Kazan coworking, which unites non-profit organizations of the city.

Dinara Akhmadullina, Deputy director of ANO “Good Kazan”, noted that the project is aimed at forming a culture of charity and unites reliable funds. One of the activities of the Good Kazan was to help the participants of the special military operation and their families, as well as residents of the destroyed territories. 500 volunteers worked daily at the collection points of humanitarian aid, today they continue to work at the central warehouse at the address: Gorkovskoe Highway, 53a. In addition, 612 families received various support.

The coworking hotline continues to work by phone: +7(843)558-74-18. Kazan residents can apply for help to people in a difficult life situation and the families of the participants of the special military operation to receive psychological or legal support. During the operation of the hotline, specialists have served 14, 269 calls. Specialists with disabilities – young people with visual impairment also advise residents.

“A turning point in the development of charity in Kazan was the opening of a coworking,”- Dinara Akhmadullina believes. During the year, more than one thousand events were held here. Non-profit organizations can book a workplace on mutually beneficial non-commercial terms. Also, some offices are used to provide psychological and legal assistance.

The coworking provides the socialization and internship of Kazan residents with disabilities. Three young people with intellectual disabilities develop competencies here every day: Artyom has chosen the profession of a barista, Viktor is learning to be an assistant coach in chess, and Alexander is gaining experience in recruiting and employing people with disabilities.