This article concerns the issue of interactions between socially oriented nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and families with socially disadvantaged children whom such organizations are seeking to help. In the Russian regions, especially in rural areas, the employment of modern concepts in the investigation of NGOs as driving forces and results of social activities of the population revealed that these organizations often function quite separately from the community and maintain close links to government social services providers. We analyzed a wide range of factors that could decrease the gap between NGOs and the population. To investigate this issue, we used the results from several international research projects conducted by an international team in Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast in 2010-2015. Nizhniy Novgorod Oblast can be viewed as an average Russian region in terms of social and economic development. In our research, we invited leaders of NGOs-mainly those providing support to families-from several districts of the region and local families already in contact with NGOs. We also invited those who could potentially be interested in this cooperation, such as families with many children, families in difficult situations, and foster families. Based on our findings, we argue that relationships between NGOs and families depend on contributions from both sides. On the one hand, these relationships are shaped by the internal situations of NGOs, including the specifics of their creation, their ways of cooperation with state organizations, their funding sources, and the types of services they provide. On the other hand, the level of trust, the attitudes of people towards NGOs, the experience of engagement with particular NGOs, and the development of social networking within local communities also create some barriers and opportunities for cooperation between people and NGOs. Investigation of the mutual links between NGOs and different social groups can be helpful for understanding the development of the third sector in Russia as a whole and might provide valuable insights for NGO activists who would like to improve their activities.

This article analyses how poor families cope with poverty in provincial Russia. It draws on both survey data and interviews. On the basis of the survey, a factor analysis was carried out. This gives evidence to four common types of reactions to poverty. The article shows that being able to use rights, resources and relations is not enough to overcome poverty. Working more, while trying to reduce expenses just to cope, means that poor families are particularly vulnerable to changes that could start a downward process. The small percentage of those who succeed highlights the need for supporting structures. The paper argues that the supporting role of public authorities is especially important when considering the possibilities for poor people themselves to take actions.

Abstract:The paper reviews some of the perceptions and categorizations of poverty found through

The Russian non-profit organisations (NPOs) went through the long pass from political actors to social-oriented assistances and then to some drivers of socioeconomic development [1]. Avoiding the engagement of the population in political actions, the Russian government pays significant attention to involving people in socioeconomic decision-making processes and creating and developing a non-profit sector. The indicators measuring NPOs' activities have been included in a wide range of official governmental documents and projects. However, the non-profit organisations remain invisible on the socioeconomic landscape of Russian regions. One the one hand, there is a lack of theoretical understanding of the role of NPOs in regional socioeconomic development. On the other hand, the official statistics do not have enough basic information on NPOs scope, structure, financing, and contributions in socioeconomic development. As a result, some contradictions between official proclaimed targets of NPOs involvement in socioeconomic development and measurement of these results occur. This paper provides an analysis of the situation on a regional level. Using the Nizhny Novgorod region as a case study, we explore how different governmental bodies operate with statistics about NPOs and how this information is collected by the official statistics office. The findings based on a set of interviews, analysis of governmental reports and plans for official Federal statistics work plan. These efforts point the way toward putting the NPOs on the economic map of the Russian region for the first time in a way supporting participatory mechanism of regional socioeconomic development. All articles must contain an abstract. The abstract text should be formatted using 10 point Times or Times New Roman and indented 25 mm from the left margin. Leave 10 mm space after the abstract before you begin the main text of your article, starting on the same page as the abstract. The abstract should give readers concise information about the content of the article and indicate the main results obtained and conclusions drawn. The abstract is not part of the text and should be complete in itself; no table numbers, figure numbers, references or displayed mathematical expressions should be included. It should be suitable for direct inclusion in abstracting services and should not normally exceed 200 words in a single

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