Nikitin: the national project "Family" fully integrated into the "demographic agenda" reboot

      Last year, half of all social benefits were allocated to families with children.

      The Nizhny Novgorod region is using all opportunities of the new national project "Family" to revamp the region's "demographic agenda." This was announced by Governor Gleb Nikitin during a report to the deputies of the regional Legislative Assembly on July 31.

      According to him, last year, about 30 billion rubles, or half of all social payments, were directed to families with children. To further support Nizhny Novgorod families effectively, a decision was made to maximize the use of existing tools within the "Family" national project and to introduce a comprehensive set of financial measures at the regional level.

      "The 'Family' national project fully fits into the reshaping of the 'demographic agenda' in our region. When we declared the Five-Year Family initiative last year, we understood it as not just a slogan but a large-scale program. Today, Nizhny Novgorod families have access to one-time payments for pregnant students studying full-time, rental points for essential items for newborns, and support from 'social nannies.' Since July 1, the 'Parent's Basic Income' or 'Regional Family Capital' has been in effect," said Gleb Nikitin.

      He emphasized that particular attention is being paid to creating a complete digital ecosystem for families—ranging from a hotline to an online calculator. The implementation of these unique practices is managed by the specially established organization, the Institute of Demographic Development.

      "As part of the Family Five-Year plan, we also launched the 'Urgent Demographic Assistance' program. From this year, reproductive programs are being expanded: the number of quotas for IVF procedures has been increased at the regional budget's expense," the governor noted.

      He also mentioned that over the past year, the total number of orphans in the region decreased by 6%. Thanks to the substitute parenting institute, many children previously in temporary guardianship families have been able to return to their biological families or find permanent and stable housing.

      Moreover, a resource center for the prevention of social orphanhood called "Children in the Family" has been launched: specialists identify early signs of crises in families and provide timely assistance to prevent family breakdowns and the placement of children in social institutions.

      Recall that the "Family" national project was initiated across the country at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin.