" Today, more entrepreneurs realize that business is not only profit: business social responsibility is growing. The results of our study confirm this trend -- 70 per cent of entrepreneurs are confident that business should be involved in solving social problems. However, the vast majority of entrepreneurs have done something useful in the past two years: 33 per cent have cooperated with volunteer and charitable organizations, 25 per cent have provided targeted assistance to those in need, and 23 per cent have supported children ' s homes, hospitals and educational institutions, " noted the Deputy Minister for Economic Development of Russia, Tatiana Ilumnikov.

In addition, entrepreneurs invest in environment, education and culture and sport.

" The original set of social problems is consistently addressed by the Government of the Russian Federation. Citizens themselves must also be more responsible for the moral and ethical aspects of business. It is very good that modern entrepreneurs are increasingly beginning to understand that an entrepreneur in Russia is, above all, a national of their country and is working for it. Even if their assistance seems small in the face of State scale, it is collectively very visible, capable of changing the world to the best, " , the Rector of the State University of Vladimir Streuves said.

Among other ways of participating in the social life of the company is the care of employees. For example, 23 per cent of entrepreneurs provide corporate training, staff development, 12 per cent provide jobs to people with disabilities.

" Despite a period of uncertainty, companies do not abandon the sustainable development strategy. At the same time, we see a trend towards the development of company corporate social responsibility programmes - that is, the social dimension of the ESG agenda by 2023. The State supports the social initiatives of companies, such as corporate volunteering, participation in charitable activities. For example, companies can use a tax deduction for charity, participate in grant programmes, train staff in special courses for volunteers and volunteers, noted Tatiana Ilushnikov.

More than half of the entrepreneurs note that they would benefit from assistance to participate in social issues, namely financial support (24 per cent of entrepreneurs), information on current social problems (19 per cent), legal support (18 per cent), provision of space for social projects (16%). In addition, entrepreneurs are interested in helping to engage partners and provide training on social projects.

According to the Deputy Minister, companies can obtain such support through the Regional Centres " My Business " , the Centres for Social Innovation, the Association of Volunteer Centres and the DRO Portal. RF.

According to the experts of the Regional Social Programmes Fund, " Our Future " , there are now significant changes in social entrepreneurship and business social responsibility. For example, priority is given to projects aimed at improving the quality of life of specific groups, such as large families, single parents and people with disabilities. Special attention is paid to inclusive society initiatives that help overcome various barriers, such as education, employment, urban movement or self-service.

" Projects focusing on the use of enabling technologies and innovative solutions are becoming proactive. Environmental initiatives, including waste management and psycling, remain on the trend. Interest is expressed in the improvement of monocities and rural settlements, where successful implementation requires municipal support. It is important to continue to support and develop socially oriented business initiatives that promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life of people ' s people ' s people ' s lives " , in the view of Natalia Zverev, Director of the Future Foundation.

Source: https:/ /www.freepik.com/

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Entrepreneurs are assisted by the Maloy and Middle Entrepreneurship Project.