In a written agreement, ICMA and Russia’s Local Government Research Center (LGRC) have formalized a plan to conduct research regarding professional local government managers. The two organizations have been affiliated partners since 2008 and have exchanged knowledge and information relating to local government management. LGRC’s chief executive officer, Victor Pankrashchenko, and deputy CEO, Victoria Brailitsa, visited ICMA’s office to personally explain the purpose of their study.

On August 25, 2011, LGRC was awarded a grant from the Presidential Administration to investigate the city management sector of local government in 16 regions in Russia from January to August 2012. The city manager position was established relatively recently in Russia, and no study of the position has been conducted since its creation. With this grant, LGRC intends to highlight the political and technical aspects of the professional local government manager’s duties. Using surveys, interviews, and focus groups to research the Russian city management system, LGRC will then compare the results with findings for comparable positions in the United States.

David Grossman, ICMA’s director of International Programs, signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr. Pankrashchenko, confirming that both organizations have committed to:

• Encourage ICMA members, particularly city managers, to participate in brief surveys and questionnaires pertinent to LGRC’s research project
• Provide each other with helpful research and reports
• Utilize the Knowledge Network
• Present the results of this research collaboration at joint meetings and through media outlets
• Promote the research and mutual efforts of ICMA and LGRC when additional opportunities appear.

Following the signing, Mr. Grossman said, “Our Russian colleagues have presented ICMA an historic opportunity to participate with them in an exploration of new systems of governance in their country, using ICMA as a sounding board to explore how the introduction of professionalism can have a powerful impact on Russian local governments.” Mr. Pankrashchenko added that “Local government in Russia today is critically in need of experience and skills to develop local communities utilizing modern engineering and social technologies. We hope to build on the lessons learned from the history of professional management in the United States."

Through mutual cooperation, LGRC and ICMA jointly intend to promote professional development for city managers and to serve as resources providing the practices and knowledge necessary to support local government officials.

The Local Government Research Center, which is affiliated with the Russian National Congress of Municipalities, is one of ICMA’s 23 international affiliate organizations. The ICMA International Committee works closely with the affiliates, and an affiliate hosts one of the committee’s two meetings each year.