Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch: the charitable projects of

a Russian politician

Andrei Skoch is a Russian politician and public figure, as well as the head ofthe Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation, which he founded in the mid-1990s. Over the years, the organization has helped thousands of people with medical treatment, financial difficulties, and implementing various creative projects.

Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch’s aspiration to help people and restore social justice was instilled in him by his parents. The father of the parliamentarian – Vladimir Nikitovich – continues to be his moral ideal, a friend and a person who he can ask for advice. Despite his age, he actively participates in the activities of the Pokolenie foundation.

Education and the beginning of Andrei Skoch’s career

The future deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation of five convocations was born in the Moscow region in the village of Nikolskoye in 1966. The head of the family, Vladimir Nikitovich, enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as an honest worker: he went the way of professional development from a simple worker to a trade union leader. After school, Skoch Andrei served in the Soviet Army, and then received higher education and became a certified psychologist. He did not limit himself: in 2000, being a deputy already, he became a candidate of pedagogical sciences, successfully defending his dissertation.

The last decade of the twentieth century in Russia was associated with the flourishing of entrepreneurship. Andrei Skoch became one the new class of Russian businessmen. Initially, he created his own projects, and later, together with his colleague Lev Kvetnoi, he invested in the Interfin Company. Subsequently, Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch stopped taking part in the development of the organization and its metallurgical enterprises, passed the business into his father’s hands, and decided to become a lawmaker.

Politics and charity came into Andrei Skoch’s life three years apart: in 1996, he set up the foundation “Healthy Generation”, and in 1999, he ran for the Russian State Duma.

The Belgorod region, from which A.V. Skoch ran, supported him with 54% of votes. The parliamentarian has continued to justify the confidence of the population over five convocations: around 150 bills were developed with his participation.

The activities of Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch in such areas as philanthropy and lawmaking have been recognized with state and honorary awards of Russia, including:

• medals of the order “For merit to the Fatherland” (First and second degrees);
• order of Alexander Nevsky (closed list);
• medal “For services to the land of Belgorod” (1st degree);
• order of honor;
• commendations of the President of the Russian Federation and the chairman of the State Duma.

Activities Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch’s Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation

The “Healthy Generation” was originally the name of Andrei Skoch’s foundation at the time of its creation, it was initially aimed at helping children, especially babies born with serious heart problems. Over time, the charitable organization increased its funding, and its list of priorities was expanded. It then got its current name – the Pokolenie (Generation) foundation.

Today, the foundation develops and supports the development of regional and federal projects in the following areas:

• science;
• health care;;
• education;;
• culture;
• sports;
• preservation of historical heritage;
• supporting gifted children and young people.

Since 1996, the foundation has helped thousands of Russian citizens. Other members of the philanthropist’s family also contribute to the fund. For example, in 2017, Skoch Sr. allocated 154 million rubles to the budget of the organization.

The Pokolenie foundation supports large-scale long-term programs and also provides the necessary assistance to compatriots and organizations in specific life situations. Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch’s charity organization has also allocated funds for the construction of several medical centers in the Belgorod region, also equipping them with necessary medical supplies. With the fund’s help, multidisciplinary medical, neuro-orthopedic and ophthalmological centers were constructed in Belgorod and Stary Oskol.

А.V. Skoch also assists in the restoration of military monuments and provides targeted support to veterans of the Great Patriotic War, large families, people with disabilities and many others.

Foundation Awards

Under the auspices of the foundation, several prizes and scholarships were established for talented specialists, scientists and cultural figures. These include the Healthy Childhood Award, for the creation and development of which approximately 22.5 million rubles were allocated. With its help, the organization recognizes representatives of the medical community for the most useful achievements in the field of pediatrics. The annual RAMS Academicians Bakoulev and Bourakovski Award, also established by the Pokolenie Foundation, is intended to reward scientific researchers, engineers, and medics for creating unique and innovative developments in the field of cardiovascular surgery. The financing of this project over all the years of its existence has amounted to about 75 million rubles.

Among young writers, the “Debut” Prize was widely known, created to support novelists, poets, playwrights, and essayists under the age of 35. It was held from 2000 to 2016, and in all that time the organizers of the contest evaluated about 350,000 Russian-language manuscripts. The total amount spent on the prize and the encouragement of young authors exceeded 330 million rubles.

Among young writers, the “Debut” Prize was widely known, created to support novelists, poets, playwrights, and essayists under the age of 35. It was held from 2000 to 2016, and in all that time the organizers of the contest evaluated about 350,000 Russian-language manuscripts. The total amount spent on the prize and the encouragement of young authors exceeded 330 million rubles.