Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

May 13, 2021. VCIOM presents the findings of a survey about the activities of non-governmental institutions in Russia.

Thirty-eight percent of Russians believe that non-governmental organizations are beneficial; 13% consider that their activities are of little benefit; 49% know nothing about it.  Russians aged 35-44 (51%), those aged 60 and older (46%), residents of Moscow and St Petersburg (48%), and respondents with higher and incomplete higher education (44%) are more likely to believe that non-governmental organizations benefit society.  

Most of Russians (85%) consider that the government should help volunteers, social movement activists and non-profit organizations. They are opposed by 8% of respondents.

Russians have given to charity over the recent 4-5 years:  every fourth respondent (24%) has given toys and different items to child care homes or rest homes; every fifth (21%) has paid money into the accounts of people in need; 16% gave alms; 15% paid money into the account of charity institutions; 7% participated in volunteering, 6%, in charities.

Those who are actively involved in charities are largely Russians aged 25-34 and 35-44 (in both age groups 27% of respondents gave items to child care homes; 24% paid money into the accounts of people in need, 21% gave money to charitable organizations), as well as Russians who have higher and incomplete higher education diplomas (28% donated items to child care homes, 28% paid money into the accounts of people in need, 21% gave money to charities). Young Russians aged 18-24 are more likely to have taken part in volunteering (20%) and charitable activities (14%). Forty percent of respondents did not take part in such activities.

Compared to 2019, the share of those who participated in charitable/volunteering activities has increased by 20 p.p. (from 20% in 2019 to 40% in 2021).

According to half of Russians (62%), the activities of non-profit organizations increase the level of trust between people; 6% oppose this view; 15% believe that non-profit organizations do not have any impact on the trust levels.

Almost three-quarters of Russians (72%) think that the control of citizens and non-profit associations over the government’s commitment to fulfill its responsibilities should be strengthened; 16% think that this should not be done. This idea is often supported by Russians aged 60 and older (82%) and Russians with higher or incomplete higher education (77%).

Russian nationwide VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on May 2, 2021. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

Various non-governmental, non-profit, volunteer organizations created on a voluntary basis are operating in Russia. They are trade unions, political, environmental and religious organizations, etc. In your opinion, are the activities of these organizations of great or little benefit in our region? Or do you not know anything about the activities of non-profit organizations in our region? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

Of great benefit

38

35

40

51

40

46

Of little benefit

13

18

9

7

12

10

I know nothing about the activities of NGOs 

49

47

51

42

48

44

 

Various non-governmental, non-profit, volunteer organizations created on a voluntary basis are operating in Russia. They are trade unions, political, environmental and religious organizations, etc. In your opinion, are the activities of these organizations of great or little benefit in our region? Or do you not know anything about the activities of non-profit organizations in our region? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Moscow and St Petersburg

Million-plus cities

500-950 thousand inhabitants

100—500 thousand

Less than 100 thousand

Rural area

Of great benefit

38

48

40

40

36

32

38

Of little benefit

13

10

16

12

16

16

10

I know nothing about the activities of NGOs 

49

42

44

48

48

52

52

 

Various non-governmental, non-profit, volunteer organizations created on a voluntary basis are operating in Russia. They are trade unions, political, environmental and religious organizations, etc. In your opinion, are the activities of these organizations of great or little benefit in our region? Or do you not know anything about the activities of non-profit organizations in our region? ( closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents )

 

Total respondents

Incomplete secondary education

Secondary education (school, vocational school)

Specialized secondary education  (technical school)

Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institution), higher  education

Of great benefit

38

31

33

34

44

Of little benefit

13

4

12

14

14

I know nothing about the activities of NGOs 

46

60

53

50

38

Don’t know

3

5

2

2

4

In your opinion, should the state and governmental agencies in general help volunteers and activists of social movements or non-profit organizations? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

2019

2021

Rather yes

88

85

Rather no

6

8

Don’t know

6

7

Have you personally given to charity or participated in any volunteer activities over the recent four-five years, or not? If so, what kind of activities? (closed-ended question, any number of  answers, % of total respondents)

 

2007

2009

2017

2019

2021

I gave toys, different items (to child care homes, rest homes,  residential care homes)

19

18

27

30

24

I paid money into the accounts of people in need (for treatment, surgery, etc.)  

4

5

32

26

21

I gave alms

36

32

30

24

16

I paid money into the accounts of charities, foundations

4

3

17

20

15

I participated in volunteering (i.e. I worked voluntarily at crisis centers, hospitals, rest homes, social services) 

3

2

6

9

7

I took part in the organization of or have been to charity events (concerts, exhibitions, charitable lotteries, auctions)

4

2

8

10

6

Other  (specify )

-

-

-

2

11

No participation in charities

50

53

30

30

40

Don’t know

0

1

1

1

2

Have you personally given to charity or participated in any volunteer activities over the recent four-five years, or not? If so, what kind of activities? (closed-ended question, any number of  answers, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

I gave toys, different items (to child care homes, rest homes,  residential care homes)

24

20

27

27

24

20

I paid money into the accounts of people in need (for treatment, surgery, etc.) 

21

12

24

24

20

21

I gave alms

16

14

24

15

16

13

I paid money into the accounts of charities, foundations

15

6

21

21

13

10

I participated in volunteering (i.e. I worked voluntarily at crisis centers, hospitals, rest homes, social services) 

7

20

8

7

5

2

I took part in the organization of or have been to charity events (concerts, exhibitions, charitable lotteries, auctions)

6

14

7

6

7

2

Other  (specify )

11

9

11

9

11

11

No participation in charities

40

39

35

39

36

49

Don’t know

2

4

1

1

2

2

Have you personally given to charity or participated in any volunteer activities over the recent four-five years, or not? If so, what kind of activities? (closed-ended question, any number of  answers, % of total respondents )

 

Total respondents

Incomplete secondary education

Secondary education (school, vocational school)

Specialized secondary education  (technical school)

Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institution), higher  education

I gave toys, different items (to child care homes, rest homes,  residential care homes)

24

22

19

20

28

I paid money into the accounts of people in need (for treatment, surgery, etc.) 

21

8

13

18

28

I gave alms

16

14

12

17

18

I paid money into the accounts of charities, foundations

15

1

7

11

21

I participated in volunteering (i.e. I worked voluntarily at crisis centers, hospitals, rest homes, social services) 

7

6

6

4

9

I took part in the organization of or have been to charity events (concerts, exhibitions, charitable lotteries, auctions)

6

1

3

4

10

Other  (specify )

11

7

8

11

12

No participation in charities

40

59

53

43

31

Don’t know

2

3

2

1

2

In your opinion, do the activities of various non–profit organizations have an impact on the level of trust between people, or not? If so, do they make the trust levels go up or down? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

No impact

15

They make the trust levels go up

62

They make the trust levels go down

6

Don’t know

17

In your opinion, should the control of citizens and civic associations over the government’s commitment to fulfil its duties and responsibilities be strengthened, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

25-34

35-44

45-59

60 +

The control should be strengthened 

72

52

65

73

74

82

The control should not be strengthened 

16

35

22

18

12

7

Don’t know

12

13

13

9

14

11

In your opinion, should the control of citizens and civic associations over the government’s commitment to fulfil its duties and responsibilities be strengthened, or not? ( closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Incomplete secondary education

Secondary education (school, vocational school)

Specialized secondary education  (technical school)

Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institution), higher  education

The control should be strengthened 

72

66

65

71

77

The control should not be strengthened 

16

20

21

14

15

Don’t know

12

14

14

15

8

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Topics:
Society