Dr Antonina Dashkina at the Mercy Day Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan opened by the RET as part of their TACIS project.

1992-1993

 Social Work Exchange Project:

Funded by The British Council and The Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

The purpose was to help with the training of social workers, in particular ex- officers. The principal emphasis was towards 24 Russians who visited the UK and 18 British social workers who went to Russia. 

1993-1994

Development of a Social Work Training Pilot Project. Funded by European Union TACIS:

This project was directed towards the design and development of a framework for a staff programme for the training of social work and occupational therapy teachers in Russia.  It brought together the Russian State Social Institute, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Moscow Open University and Smolensk Open University on the Russian side and in the UK, the Universities of Sheffield, East Anglia, Middlesex and East London, the London School of Economics, the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, the College of Occupational Therapy, and the National Institute for Social Work. Twelve teachers from Russia visited the UK and 8 British teachers visited Russia.

1993

Rehabilitation of Disabled People through Sport:

Funded by The British Council, Sports Council, The Federal Fund for Social Support of Population and The Gorbechev Foundation.

An International forum was held in the UK to raise public awareness of the importance of good access to sport and recreation for disabled people. A delegation of more than 50 people attended from the CIS as well as representatives from the UK, Netherlands, Spain and Germany.

1995-1998

Development of Social Welfare Provision for Military Families in Tver Region:

Funded through the EU TACIS Programme and the UK Ministry of Defence.

This project ran until March 1998 The aim was to set up a centre to support serving and ex-servicemen and families. The project was supported by the Russian Government. The Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's, Families Association and a number of UK universities participated in this highly successful project.

1996-1997

Development of an Association of Heads of Social Services:

Funded through the EU TACIS Democracy Programme.

The aim was to set up an independent Association of Heads of Social Services which would become part of a wider European Association. Our partners were the UK and Swedish Associations of Directors of Social Services. Good relationships have been established between the Russian, UK and Swedish Associations as a result.

1997-1998

Kyrgyzstan - Development of a Social Welfare System to Support Vulnerable Groups in Lenninsky Raion:

Funded through EU Tacis Lien Programme.

The aim has been to develop a Centre to provide support to the most vulnerable people in the region of Bishkek. The activities of the Centre include individual assessment of need, the provision of cooked lunches and meals-on-wheels, laundry, hairdressing and a workshop making local crafts. The Centre has the support of the local administration and international and local NG0s.

1997 - 2000

Russia - Development of Social Services for Vulnerable Groups in the Russian Federation

Funded through EU Tacis Programme.

This is a major 2.6 million ECU project designed to assist in the improvement of the structure and delivery of social services. Model social services departments are being set up in two pilot regions. The aim is that these models will be replicated in other areas of Russia. More than 100 people from the Ministry and regions have taken part in visits to the UK, France, Spain and Sweden, to study social services systems in those countries.

2000 - 2001 Russia - Development of Social Services for Vulnerable Groups in the Russian Federation:

Extension.