OREANDA-NEWS. Tele2, an alternative mobile operator, and the Reach for Change foundation have announced eight finalists of the All-Russia contest of social entrepreneurs. 

Authors of most promising business ideas will strive for the victory in the project on 7 December.

The final of the All-Russia contest Reach for Change will take place on 7 December in Moscow. Eight participants will defend their projects in front of the jury consisting of top managers of the foundation’s partner companies (Metro newspaper, CTC Media and Viasat group) and children of their employees. They will assess the projects based on the following criteria: acuteness of the problem revealed by contestant, its relevance and feasibility of the solution offered by entrepreneur, his professional and personal qualities. Finalists of the Reach for Change contest are:

1. Anna and Anatoliy Voshchikovs (Kamensk-Uralskiy), the “Special bike for special children” project;

2. Natalya Liskovets (Kemerovo), the iDiabet-Mobile application;

3. Guzeliya Makhmutova (Kazan), the “Creative workshops for superkids” project;

4. Yevgeniya Patrakeyeva (St. Petersburg), the “Rule 15” online project;

5. Margarita Rebetskaya (Moscow), the “Interaction” inclusive theatre project;

6. Galina Sening (Tomsk), the “City life school” project;

7. Nataliya Sitova (Tyumen), the “New horizons” center for autism correction;

8. Sergey Umbetov (Barnaul), device for mobility of blind and visually impaired children.

The jury will select four winners. The foundation and partners will draft an individual program for support and professional development. It includes the initial finance at 1.2 mn rubles over one year as well as consulting services in promoting the project as business incubator and its support on the territory of the region.

The aim of the Reach for Change contest is to help social entrepreneurs that are trying to change lives of children and teenagers for the best. It began on 1 April and had several stages: contestants from all over Russia submitted 306 applications that were shortlisted to 51 projects. All semifinalists were taking part in educational sessions that helped them professionally present their projects. During the training, semifinalists get detailed information on preparation for the next stage of the contest and find out more about fundraising, GR relations, business modelling, marketing and PR.

Additional information

1. Anna and Anatoliy Voshchikovs (Kamensk-Uralskiy), the “Special bike for special children” project

Anna and Anatoliy create three-wheel special bikes for children with lesions of the musculoskeletal system. Such bikes help children move without any help and become an important tool of rehabilitation and socialization.

2. Natalya Liskovets (Kemerovo), the iDiabet-Mobile application

Natalya and her partners are working on the iDiabet-Mobile application – a diary for children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes. This tool helps engaging them into control over blood glucose level and finding out more about their disease through play. The application includes data on products and a special diet that helps keeping track of the carbohydrate content of food and monitoring blood glucose level.

3. Guzeliya Makhmutova (Kazan), the “Creative workshops for superkids” project

Guzeliya is creating workshops where children may create their personal chef d'oeuvre under the guidance of a master, try hand at new occupation and learn all ins and outs of a future profession. This will help gifted children make a conscious choice of profession not imposed by popular trends.

4. Yevgeniya Patrakeyeva (St. Petersburg), the “Rule 15” online project

Yevgeniya is working on her “Rule 15” online project that accumulates all information on type 1 diabetes and develops an innovative online school for patients. The aim of the project is to improve living standards of patients and their closed ones by regularly communicating with the audience and informing them of therapy and control over disease.

5. Margarita Rebetskaya (Moscow), the “Interaction” inclusive theatre project

Margarita has created the “Interaction” inclusive theatre project where actors with Down syndrome perform. The theatre allows teenagers to get professional drama training and change attitude of society to special kids and adults by nurturing their talents and personal qualities of actors.

6. Galina Sening (Tomsk), the “City life school” project

Galina creates “City life school” project where teenagers with autism are taught to interact with environment with the use of ABA therapy. Each patient is working with his personal trainer.  

7. Nataliya Sitova (Tyumen), the “New horizons” center for autism correction

Nataliya is teaching children with autism spectrum disorder about basic useful skills such as self-care, hygiene and communication. The treatment is based on applied behavior analysis and alternative communication system. Techniques are aiming to help individuals transition successfully into independent living and make their parents confident of the future.

8. Sergey Umbetov (Barnaul), device for mobility of blind and visually impaired children

Sergey and his team are developing a compact device for visually impaired children: it helps developing orientation and mobility skills, encouraging them move with confidence both indoors and outdoors. The device helps socializing children who feel imprisoned by their disease and ashamed of using white cane.

The Reach for Change foundation has worked in Russia since 2011. Over this time, the organization has provided financial support to 25 social entrepreneurs and included them into the professional development program. For five years, the foundation’s mentees have changed lives of 330 thou children in Russia for the best.