The number of children in orphanages in the Nizhny Novgorod region decreased by a quarter in 2025.

      12 August 2025 20:22

      [309]

      Society

      The Nizhny Novgorod region continues to see a decline in the number of children sent to orphanages, shelters and baby homes. In the first half of 2025, 909 minors entered such institutions for the first time — 25% fewer than in the same period last year, when 1,226 children were placed in residential care. This was reported by the region’s Minister of Social Policy, Igor Sedykh.

      He noted that the region is changing its approach to social institutions: priority is now given to helping families without separating them from their children. "We provide comprehensive support to families in difficult life situations, develop support clubs, and cooperate with non-profit organizations to provide targeted assistance. This is one of the key directions of our work within the Five-Year Family initiative announced by Governor Gleb Nikitin," the minister explained.

      The ministry recalled that since March 2024 the region has been implementing the concept of the "Unified Model of Assistance to Children." Its goal is to reduce the number of children in orphanage-type social protection institutions fourfold over five years and to increase the number of thriving families. A resource center called "Children in the Family" was created to coordinate the work. It provides staff training, methodological support, development of family support systems and the foster parent institute. According to the head of the center, Svetlana Meller, over 2,500 specialists took part in training events in 2024–2025. Of these, 163 people received training in case management techniques, and 324 heads of social institutions participated in internships.

      Meller emphasized that thanks to joint work by institution staff and center specialists, 95 families received targeted assistance in 2025 totaling more than 2.5 million rubles. The funds were used to pay for temporary housing, buy food, household appliances and carry out repairs. By the end of the year at least another 200 families will receive support — totaling more than 6 million rubles.

      This year the "Mobile Teams" project began operating in five municipalities in the region. These are teams of specialists who travel to remote settlements. Since the beginning of the year they have made more than 150 trips and helped over 480 families.

      The region has also opened 14 "Resilient Family" clubs offering parenting support sessions. Another six clubs are planned to open by the end of 2025. As part of a project to prevent social orphanhood among children under four, 38 leaders from 20 institutions have been trained to conduct sessions. In addition, mediation services, social warehouses and parent support communities are being established.

      The "Unified Model of Assistance to Children" concept was developed by the Ministry of Social Policy together with the ONF project "Region of Care." It became a continuation of an initiative proposed by the Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova‑Belova.

      Support for families with children is included in the goals of the new national "Family" project, which launched in 2025 at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It succeeded the national projects "Demography" and "Culture" and is aimed at comprehensive support for families, creating conditions for active longevity and access to quality healthcare.

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