The «DobroAgroShkola» Project in Kazan: Inclusive Environment for Children with special educational needs
06/29/2026 12:00:00 am
The Kazan Municipal Budgetary Establishment «Moskovsky» Cultural Center with grant support from SIBUR's «Formula of Good Deeds» social investment program, implemented the inclusive «DobroAgroShkola» project, aimed at providing career guidance and social adaptation to children with special educational needs through the development of practical gardening and plant growing skills.
The project became a logical continuation of the successful environmental sessions held in 2024–2025, and combined an educational content with practical training: at «Uritsky» Park, the participants learned how to care for plants, use gardening tools, and master the basics of ecology and teamwork. Over the course of two months, the group of 10 children took part in 28 sessions — 12 theoretical and 16 practical — as well as two field trips and three themed masterclasses, which culminated in a harvest festival featuring floral art activities.
Nailya Mustafina, Director of the «Moskovsky» Cultural Center:
«For us, «DobroAgroShkola» is more than just an educational program; it's an opportunity to create a safe, supportive environment for children with special educational needs. Through work and interaction with nature, they gain self confidence, acquire new skills, and see prospects for further professional growth. We are grateful to the «Formula of Good Deeds» programme for their trust and support: together, we are taking a step towards ensuring that every child, regardless of their developmental characteristics, can find their place in life and feel their own significance.»
The project's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach: a combination of expert support (with the participation of the «Green Compass» Eco-School and the and the «Return to Soil» Association), partnership with the family centre «Ostrovok Druzhby (Friendship Island)», and the inclusion of neurotypical peers — all of which create conditions for natural socialisation. Practical sessions on the renovated vegetable garden, excursions to visit crop specialists, and interactive learning formats allow participants not only to gain knowledge but also to apply it immediately in real life settings, thereby building basic professional competencies in gardening.
Yulia Orlova, mother of a participant, volunteer, and employee of «Kazanorgsintez» PJSC:
«My daughter Ulyana was really looking forward to the start of the session at «DobroAgroSchool». She was captivated by the eco-educators' classes from the very first minute. It’s clear that the programme has been thought through in detail — my daughter found working with plants really interesting, and she’s started treating nature with more care. I'd like to point out that Ulyana now wants to grow her own food even at home. It's obvious that the programme takes children’s specific needs into account: everything is presented visually, in a clear and practical way. Thank you so much for this experience!»
The project places special emphasis on environmental literacy and the development of soft skills: responsibility, discipline, and teamwork. Upon completion of the course, participants developed basic skills in handling gardening tools, understanding the plant growth cycle, and the fundamentals of organic farming.
Information:
SIBUR's «Formula for Good Deeds» social investment program, launched on February 1, 2016, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026. It covers seven social areas: urban development, education and science, sports and healthy lifestyles, ecology, culture, inclusion, and volunteering.
The project became a logical continuation of the successful environmental sessions held in 2024–2025, and combined an educational content with practical training: at «Uritsky» Park, the participants learned how to care for plants, use gardening tools, and master the basics of ecology and teamwork. Over the course of two months, the group of 10 children took part in 28 sessions — 12 theoretical and 16 practical — as well as two field trips and three themed masterclasses, which culminated in a harvest festival featuring floral art activities.
Nailya Mustafina, Director of the «Moskovsky» Cultural Center:
«For us, «DobroAgroShkola» is more than just an educational program; it's an opportunity to create a safe, supportive environment for children with special educational needs. Through work and interaction with nature, they gain self confidence, acquire new skills, and see prospects for further professional growth. We are grateful to the «Formula of Good Deeds» programme for their trust and support: together, we are taking a step towards ensuring that every child, regardless of their developmental characteristics, can find their place in life and feel their own significance.»
The project's uniqueness lies in its comprehensive approach: a combination of expert support (with the participation of the «Green Compass» Eco-School and the and the «Return to Soil» Association), partnership with the family centre «Ostrovok Druzhby (Friendship Island)», and the inclusion of neurotypical peers — all of which create conditions for natural socialisation. Practical sessions on the renovated vegetable garden, excursions to visit crop specialists, and interactive learning formats allow participants not only to gain knowledge but also to apply it immediately in real life settings, thereby building basic professional competencies in gardening.
Yulia Orlova, mother of a participant, volunteer, and employee of «Kazanorgsintez» PJSC:
«My daughter Ulyana was really looking forward to the start of the session at «DobroAgroSchool». She was captivated by the eco-educators' classes from the very first minute. It’s clear that the programme has been thought through in detail — my daughter found working with plants really interesting, and she’s started treating nature with more care. I'd like to point out that Ulyana now wants to grow her own food even at home. It's obvious that the programme takes children’s specific needs into account: everything is presented visually, in a clear and practical way. Thank you so much for this experience!»
The project places special emphasis on environmental literacy and the development of soft skills: responsibility, discipline, and teamwork. Upon completion of the course, participants developed basic skills in handling gardening tools, understanding the plant growth cycle, and the fundamentals of organic farming.
Information:
SIBUR's «Formula for Good Deeds» social investment program, launched on February 1, 2016, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2026. It covers seven social areas: urban development, education and science, sports and healthy lifestyles, ecology, culture, inclusion, and volunteering.
