Building a bright future

This website provides training modules for Russian instructors of wood frame housing, entrepreneurial development and local government. This website is provided as part of the McGregor Model Forest Association's (MMFA) second CIDA funded project in the Russian Far East (RFE) entitled Institutional Capacity-Building for Sustainable Regional Economic Development in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, Project Number RU Z-020657.

The MMFA has been involved in development activities in the RFE since 1994. This project owes its origins to an earlier $3.48 million CIDA project to support natural resource-based economic development in the Nanaiski raion of Khabarovsky Krai. This project ran from March 1999 to June 2004. With MMFA as executing agency, and the support of the state and district governments, the project successfully worked with isolated communities and aboriginal groups to develop practical approaches for employment and income generation through the sustainable use of local natural resources. During the latter years of this project it became apparent that two aspects of the project were especially successful in advancing development in the Russian Far East; in particular, value added wood processing related to housing, and business development training (Business Next Generation (BNG) training) showed great promise. At the same time, the Kozak Commission in Russia made recommendations for sweeping changes to local government and the krai administration requested assistance in preparing for these changes.

The project proposal was approved in February of 2005 for $1,040,000. It funded three main areas of development assistance: wood framed construction training, business development (BNG), and local governance training. MMFA coordinated Canadian partner institutions at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) and University of Northern BC (UNBC). CNC provided training in wood framed housing and business to the Department of Professional Education of Khabarovsky krai, and UNBC provided local governance training to the Academy of Public Servants of the Russian Far East.

The wood frame program responded to the Khabarovsky Krai government's interest in creating affordable housing and developing strong technical programs to promote business and industry. This was motivated by the on-going threat of de-population of the RFE caused by a lack of good employment opportunities and linked to a lack of decent affordable housing. Krai administrators recognized that use of wood frame housing could spur a value-added wood industry to create many small businesses. And that could help stem the flow of round log exports to China. This was made possible due to the successful work in harmonizing the Russian building code with the Canadian wood frame building code.

The business program responds to the state institutional need to develop practical business training related to establishment and operation of small business. The leadership of the state technical program was very enthusiastic about bringing a "hands on" practical and experiential business program into their system in the form of Business Next Generation (BNG).

Building the regional skill base in effective local governance and economic development strategies is a key part of economic development. This aspect of the project aims to prepare Khabarovsky Krai for forthcoming municipal governance reforms mandated by the Russian federal government. Most municipal stakeholders in the krai had little experience in developing and implementing local strategies for effective governance and the promotion of local economic development. This training helps establish an important professional skills base for the facilitation of sustainable regional economic development.

The project activities have generated a state-wide increase in capacity to teach wood frame construction, business start-ups and responsive local government, all based on a foundation of sustainability and credibility through working with established and well managed Russian institutions.

The course curricula found within are provided by, and are the responsibility of, the Canadian partner institutions: College of New Caledonia and University of Northern BC.

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