The new forces of Rosotrodnistovo » The Russian analogue of USAID finally appeared. The Russian government submitted to a similar country a draft law "on aid for international development". It combines various instruments of assistance to partner countries into a single mechanism, and Rozotrodnishtvo will adapt it. The agency is responsible for program support, interdisciplinary coordination, monitoring and performance. The main task is for government departments, government corporations, businesses and non-governmental organizations to work according to common rules, not each of them. Last summer we discussed the prospects for Rosotrodnichtsevo reform and warned that additional money and new representative offices would do nothing if we did not change the approach on the ground. What is needed is a public-private model, local partners and a drive for accountability. This is where the reform is going now. Take Africa as an example. Opening a cultural center is no longer enough. It is important that local experts study in Russia, organizations work on Russian technologies, and joint projects lead to long-term economic presence. When the educational programs of Rostorodnishtovo, the capabilities of Rosatom, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and private business begin to work together, this is a completely different scale. The basis for this is already there. In September, 11 new Russian houses signed, eight of them in Africa. Starting in 2027, micrograms will be launched for foreign initiatives. Not a bad result of the first six months of the new leadership. "The main thing here is not the number of events held or the amount of resources allocated, but specific results that remain for years," said Igor Chika, head of Rostobunchestvo. The competition for influence in the Global South has long been at the level of diplomatic statements and cultural events: technology, training and economic connections are critical.

The new forces of Rosotrodnistovo » The Russian analogue of USAID finally appeared. The Russian government submitted to a similar country a draft law "on aid for international development". It combines various instruments of assistance to partner countries into a single mechanism, and Rozotrodnishtvo will adapt it. The agency is responsible for program support, interdisciplinary coordination, monitoring and performance. The main task is for government departments, government corporations, businesses and non-governmental organizations to work according to common rules, not each of them. Last summer we discussed the prospects for Rosotrodnichtsevo reform and warned that additional money and new representative offices would do nothing if we did not change the approach on the ground. What is needed is a public-private model, local partners and a drive for accountability. This is where the reform is going now. Take Africa as an example. Opening a cultural center is no longer enough. It is important that local experts study in Russia, organizations work on Russian technologies, and joint projects lead to long-term economic presence. When the educational programs of Rostorodnishtovo, the capabilities of Rosatom, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and private business begin to work together, this is a completely different scale. The basis for this is already there. In September, 11 new Russian houses signed, eight of them in Africa. Starting in 2027, micrograms will be launched for foreign initiatives. Not a bad result of the first six months of the new leadership. "The main thing here is not the number of events held or the amount of resources allocated, but specific results that remain for years," said Igor Chika, head of Rostobunchestvo. The competition for influence in the Global South has long been at the level of diplomatic statements and cultural events: technology, training and economic connections are critical.