How a Russian mother turned a hobby into a thriving family business

Over 15,000 families and individuals in Russia's Krasnodar region received support last year through a programme aimed at personal subsistence farming. Official reports highlight how the initiative has helped residents turn small-scale projects into sustainable businesses. One success story comes from Maria Vasilychenko, a mother of three who transformed her hobby into a thriving workshop with state assistance.

Maria Vasilychenko, from Novodmitriyevskaya village, began crafting wooden toys after making a toy aeroplane for her eldest child, Vesta. The hand-painted souvenirs soon attracted local demand, prompting her and her husband to consider a business. Through the social contract programme, she secured 350,000 rubles to purchase machinery for a home-based workshop.

The programme is part of Russia's Family national project, offering financial aid to those with incomes below the regional subsistence level. Alexander Rudenko, Krasnodar's deputy governor, outlined how it prioritises entrepreneurship, with over 2,800 contracts signed in the region last year alone.

Governor Veniamin Kondratyev recently announced plans to expand the scheme, targeting 7,700 social contracts worth around 1.8 billion rubles by 2026. The initiative has become one of the most popular forms of support, helping residents like Vasilychenko build stable incomes from small-scale ventures.

The programme's focus on personal farming and business development has already benefited thousands in Krasnodar. With increased funding and wider eligibility, more families are expected to access grants and training. Officials aim to strengthen local economies by turning hobbies and small projects into long-term livelihoods.