Volunteering
Personal time given to others is patronage without a check. Volunteering in foundations, museums, hospitals, search and rescue operations.
«It is not that we have little time, but that we waste a lot of it».
What you gain and what changes
- Volunteering is the most accessible form of patronage: neither capital nor profession is needed.
- An hour of a volunteer in a hospital or shelter is a great contribution to the life of a specific person.
- The electronic volunteer book counts towards your portfolio, work experience, and university admissions.
Step-by-step plan
- 1
Register on dobro.ru
The unified state platform for volunteers. It gathers verified organizations, training courses, and an electronic volunteer book with confirmed hours.
What to check- Profile created
- Email and phone confirmed
- Interests filled in
Documents- Passport (for verification)
- 2
Complete free training
For most areas (hospital volunteering, working with the elderly, palliative care), training is mandatory. Courses — from 8 to 40 hours, free of charge.
What to check- Course chosen by direction
- Course completed fully
- Certificate received
Documents- Course completion certificate
- 3
Choose a specific project and sign an agreement
You don't need to take on big commitments right away. Start with a one-time event (subbotnik, shelter assistance), then you can consider a regular project. An agreement with the organizer is mandatory under Art. 17.1 Federal Law-135.
What to check- Agreement signed
- Briefing completed and equipment issued
- Schedule agreed
Documents- Voluntary activity agreement
- Safety briefing
- 4
Maintain a volunteer book
Each participation is recorded in the electronic book by the organizer. It has official status and can be used for university admission, employment, and confirmation of work experience.
What to check- All hours entered in the book
- Marks and feedback received
Documents- Electronic volunteer book (dobro.ru)
Flow diagram
A visual map of how your support turns into real outcomes and who is responsible for each step.
Legal basis
- Federal Law-135Art. 17.1 — agreement with a volunteer
A written agreement protects both parties: it sets out tasks, insurance, expense compensation.
- Federal Law-135Art. 17.3 — expense compensation
The organizer can compensate for travel, food, accommodation, uniform. These amounts are not subject to personal income tax.
- Government Decree of the Russian Federation № 1036Attracting volunteers by state organizations
Regulates how state hospitals, schools, museums attract volunteers.
- Law of Moscow and other regionsOn support for volunteering
Most regions have local support measures: preferential travel, free training, awards.
Beware of scammers
- Never pay an «organizing fee» for participating in a volunteer project.
- Check the organizer in the dobro.ru register or on the Rosmolodezh website.
- Do not agree to work abroad without an official agreement.
Stories that inspire
A volunteer movement founded in 2010. Today — tens of thousands of active volunteers across Russia, thousands of lives saved.
Volunteers with special training work in children's hospitals. Their regular visits have been proven to reduce anxiety in young patients.