Real experience: participants of the "SVOi Business" educational intensive visited small and medium-sized enterprises in Nizhny Novgorod.

      An educational intensive for participants of the SVO (Special Military Operation) and their family members is taking place in Nizhny Novgorod. Participants receive comprehensive knowledge in entrepreneurship, including financial and legal aspects, as well as business management theory. The program includes several modules. The format consists of lectures, in-person seminars, training sessions, and business visits to regional enterprises.

      "Today marked an important phase of the program — a live immersion into the business environment. We observed how participants are genuinely excited about new ideas. This is exactly the moment when fear diminishes and action begins. Real practice provides more value than any textbook. Supporting entrepreneurs is an investment in regional economic development and strengthening human capital. Our participants are strong and determined, and we are confident that new enterprises created by them will soon appear in the Nizhny Novgorod region," noted Olga Nikitina, regional coordinator of the federal party project "Entrepreneurship."

      The "SVOy Business" project is implemented at the initiative of the United Russia party in collaboration with "Opora Russia" and the SME Corporation. The five-day intensive "SVOy Business" started on July 21, 2025. Classes are held at the Public Support Headquarters. Twenty-four Nizhny Novgorod residents are participating, each arriving with their own business idea. Over five days, participants will progress from business planning to launching their projects.

      "Today, it is crucial not just to discuss support for SVO participants but to create clear pathways for their integration into the regional economy. The 'SVOy Business' program emphasizes the most valuable resource — the personal qualities of the participants: resilience, responsibility, and readiness to tackle practical problems. Mentors who have already walked the entrepreneurial path and are willing to share their experiences, without unnecessary theory, play an equally vital role. As the chair of the Economics, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Commission, I can say that the city Duma systematically works to ensure such initiatives receive tangible support — from legal measures to infrastructural opportunities," said Sergey Plyaskin, regional coordinator for the "Choose Your Own" party project and deputy of the Nizhny Novgorod City Duma.

      A key feature of the federal "SVOy Business" project is its intensive practical component. Central to this are meetings with Nizhny Novgorod entrepreneurs and excursions to small and medium-sized enterprises.

      "Participants not only gain theoretical knowledge of entrepreneurial activity but also benefit from mentorship by active entrepreneurs and visits to small companies, where they can get direct answers from business owners. Another aspect of the intensives covers tools of state support that can be used both for starting and developing one's own business," stated Alexander Isayevich, CEO of the SME Corporation.

      The third day of the educational intensive was fully dedicated to acquainting participants with local enterprises.

      "Business visits are the practical side of the course, helping participants immerse themselves in business processes. The companies visited today are very open and willing to serve as mentors. All participants were engaged and actively asked questions about business, receiving knowledgeable responses. It is especially valuable that today we had live communication and constructive dialogue with practitioners. Moreover, the Nizhny Novgorod branch of 'Opora Russia' is ready to provide consultations and additional visits for participants to local enterprises in their areas of interest," commented Svetlana Gilyarovskaya, secretary of the Federal Public Chamber of Entrepreneurs' "Entrepreneurship" and deputy director of "Opora Russia."

      Participants visited the Main Certification Center of the Upper-Volga Region and the "Komod" furniture factory.

      "Today, we visited the enterprises of our members, which provided practical advice to participants. We visited a furniture manufacturer that started with a small idea and, last year, became a leader in investments in Nizhny Novgorod. The second visit was to the Main Certification Center, experts in welding production and defectoscopy. Both enterprises and other members of Nizhny Novgorod 'Opora' are ready to serve as mentors for the 'SVOy Business' participants," said Irina Sadovnikova, chairperson of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of "Opora Russia."

      The first business visit of the day was to the Welders Training Center — the Main Certification Center of the Upper-Volga Region. It includes a production workshop, a quality control laboratory, and theoretical classrooms. The center is equipped with modern welding equipment and has a license from the National Agency for Welding Certification (NАКС). This family-run business includes grandfather, father, and grandson — Dmitry, Oleg, and Ilya Kupriyanov.

      "We are an independent organization within the welding certification system of NАКС, with over 20 years of experience. Our enterprise conducts independent qualification assessments and certifications for welders. In a dedicated workshop, welding of test samples occurs, which are then tested in our laboratory. The participants showed interest in our work. This meeting might lead to interesting collaborations with emerging entrepreneurs in the future," explained Oleg Mikhailov, director of the Upper-Volga Region Welding Certification Center.

      The "Komod" furniture factory also attracted great interest from the "SVOy Business" participants. Owner Evgeny Kuimov is a father of many children. He shared that the business idea was inspired by his own children. A significant part of their production is furniture for schools and kindergartens. The factory provides comprehensive services — from manufacturing to assembly and installation. Municipal orders for educational institutions play an important role in their work. "Komod" also participated in collecting humanitarian aid for Syria — sending a batch of children’s furniture.

      "We hope our tour was beneficial for our colleagues. There were many interesting questions about production. We also talked about the support measures we used, including new modern equipment acquired with the help of programs supporting small business," shared Evgeny Kuimov.

      Participants of the "SVOy Business" program highly appreciated the visits to local small and medium-sized enterprises. They noted that immersion in the entrepreneurial community provides powerful energetic support.

      A participant in the educational intensive, Karina Altbah, a mother of nine children, decided to join the project to develop her existing business — she specializes in wellness and harmonization methods. One of her sons serves in SVO.

      "I am participating in such a large-scale educational program in entrepreneurship for the first time. In just a few days, I learned a lot about business and marketing. The visits to enterprises were especially impressive. Being able to communicate with successful entrepreneurs and learn from their experience is extremely valuable. My desire to start my own business that benefits society and serves our Motherland is only growing stronger," shared Karina Altbah.

      The goal of the "SVOy Business" project is to help SVO participants, combat veterans, and their families adapt to civilian life, develop entrepreneurial skills, and unlock their potential to create their own businesses.

      Let us remind you that supporting participants of the special military operation and their families is a priority for the party and a key component of the "United Russia" people's program. This initiative underscores the party’s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive assistance and support to those who defend the country’s interests.

      The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on main events, exclusive materials, and operational information.

      Copyright © 1999–2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reproducing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials intended for viewers 18+.