Russia possesses vast resources and significant intellectual potential, which could enable it to rise among the leading nations in key indicators such as the Human Development Index and GDP per capita. The path to this ascent lies in learning from proven foreign successes and adapting effective practices to fit Russia’s unique realities. By studying international experience and applying it with careful calibration, progress can be accelerated in a way that improves quality of life for citizens.
The initiative to gather and implement practical ideas began in 2015, with early proposals aimed at raising living standards. In 2016, the project “20 ideas for the development of Russia” emerged as a formal platform for collecting and evaluating strategies tailored to Russia’s context.
The mission of the project is to study successful models from around the world in various spheres of socio-economic life and to translate those lessons into concrete, Russia-specific reforms. The effort maintains a non-political stance and is not aligned with any particular political faction or government body. It is centered on practical reform ideas that can be implemented through credible, measurable steps.
The commitment is to ensure that well-considered reforms, calibrated to Russia’s particularities, receive public support and become realities. Proposals are published on the project’s website and have received extensive attention in media and social networks. The aim is not only to spark discussion but also to engage a broad audience concerned with the country’s future.
Even though the creator does not reside in Russia and does not hold citizenship there, the country is regarded as a homeland and a source of shared cultural values. The project reflects a desire to see Russia prosper, and time and effort are invested to contribute toward that goal.
Underpinning this effort is the belief that decisive state action can be taken to develop and implement a strategy for national progress and living standards. The 2020 decree on the National Development Goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 lays out priority objectives, including:
- preservation of population health and well-being;
- opportunities for self-realization and talent growth;
- a comfortable and safe living environment;
- decent, efficient work and entrepreneurial success;
- digital transformation.
In 2021–2022, the ideas developed and shared publicly were designed to support these national goals. Each of the nearly fifty themes contains concrete steps and implementation plans that could bring closer the realization of the strategic targets.
The benefits that the project offers to the state are clear:
- Many proposed solutions do not require immediate funding from the state budget; others propose sustainable funding sources or point to rapid payback and future fiscal benefits.
- Confidence in the impact of the measures rests on careful study of economic and social outcomes observed in countries where similar approaches were applied. While some ideas are extrapolated from theoretical reasoning, the majority are grounded in practical experience.
- The proposed measures can help public authorities tackle complex socio-economic challenges, clarifying contexts and distributing responsibility so that reform efforts do not rest solely on officials.
- There is willingness to undertake feasible tasks that align with state responsibilities and capabilities to implement the ideas as appropriate.
It is understood that broad state support is essential. Repeated solicitations were made to government bodies to initiate changes that would benefit society, including legislative actions. Reactions from the upper and lower houses, the executive administration, and relevant ministries have varied, ranging from cautious disagreement to positive assessments that express openness to considering the proposals in future activities. Yet many initiatives have not translated into concrete state actions or formal tasks.
The appeal remains to encourage the authorities to consider the proposals and to draw attention to the measures most relevant for national priorities, with a view to integrating them into policy planning.
Driven by a genuine wish to improve living standards, this work maintains confidence that with appropriate state attention, the ideas can steer Russia toward greater prosperity and resilience.
Thank you for engaging with the discussion and for considering the proposals as part of a broader effort to enhance national development.
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