Andrei Skoch was born in 1966 in Nikolskoye village near Moscow. The politician received a diploma in psychology, and in 2000 also became a candidate of pedagogical sciences. In the 1990s, he formed several business projects, but later decided to focus on politics, becoming a deputy of the state Duma. He has received numerous awards for his contribution to the development of Russian legislation and was even awarded with the special recognition of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Andrei Skoch’s Business Career
Andrei Skoch began his business career in the early 1990s. At that time he was engaged in the sale of computer components Together with his partner Lev Kvetnoi, eventually expanding into the oil industry, where the two refined and sold petrol at their own chain of gas stations. The entrepreneurs had earned significant capital by 1995, at which point they decided to invest in the company “Interfin”. Later, in the second half of the 2000s, the organization became the Metalloinvest group, which formed the basis of what is now the massive USM holding, which includes a number of large Russian corporations, including the cellular giant MegaFon.
Andrei Skoch’s Legislative Activity
In 1999, Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch decided to run in the deputies’ election of the Russian State Duma for the Belgorod region, where he won with 54% of the vote. At this point he decided to hand over his business shares to his father, Vladimir Skoch, and focus entirely on his political life.
Andrei Skoch has been working as a deputy for over 20 years, over the course of which he has authored more than 160 bills. Through his initiative, “dacha amnesty” was extended, simplifying the procedure for registering ownership of land plots, garages, baths and other real estate. Another example of Skoch’s work was his proposal for an amendment to a law “On Education in the Russian Federation”, helping to regulate financial compensation for the teachers who prepare students for state exams.
In 2007, Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch decided to become a member of the United Russia party, and was soon elected on their ticket.
Andrei Skoch was appointed head of the Expert Council on Metallurgy and Mining just a year after he took office as a deputy. In 2012, he became a member of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS affairs.
The Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation
In 1996, Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch founded the humanitarian organization “Healthy Generation” (“Zdorovoe Pokolenie”). Initially, it provided support to children with cardiac diseases, and heart disease in particular. The scope of the fund’s activities was later expanded significantly, at which point Andrei Skoch renamed the group the Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation to reflect this change. Funds from the organization are allocated from the budget to help medical institutions, support large families, veterans of the second World War and even talented young artists on the cultural front. In addition, Andrei Skoch regularly responds to applications from various Russian citizens.
The fund not only helps those in need, it also helps to promote Russian culture through initiatives like the “Debut” literary award. This contest was held to support Russian-writing authors under 35. A million rubles was awarded to the winners in six categories: Major Prose, Minor Prose, Poetry, Essay, Drama and Fiction. In the years the “Debut” competition was held, more than 350,000 manuscripts were reviewed.
Andrei Skoch has also created various programs to support Russian students. In 2002, he established the scholarship “The Best Student of the Year”, awarding some of the most hardworking students of the Belgorod region. During the 2016-2017 academic year, 275 students from 45 universities were awarded, and in total, more than 85 million rubles were spent on the project.
Other Projects
The Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation’s charitable activity extends to areas such as medicine and science as well. From 2000 to 2016, scientists who achieved significant success in the organization of medical care for children participated in the “Healthy Childhood” competition, the winner of which received 2 million rubles.
Andrei Vladimirovich Skoch and his charitable organization have also helped fund the restoration of the military graves, memorials and monuments from important historical events like the second World War. Such projects not only contribute to the education and the military-patriotic education of the youth, but also allow Russia to strengthen ties with the other countries.
From 2011 to 2016, the Foundation financed and organized the “Parental Record” competition. Families from the Belgorod region with three or more children participated, and over 72 million rubles were awarded. Eventually, the competition grew to include families from across the Russian Federation.
Andrei Skoch’ Foundation has also helped the veterans of the Second World War and the disabled, as well as public, educational and medical organizations, by awarding them with over 2,300 vehicles between 2000 to 2017.
The Pokolenie (Generation) Foundation has also funded the construction and equipping of medical institutions in Belgorod and other cities. With the help of the fund, an ophthalmological center was opened in Stary Oskol, along with a modern medical center in Belgorod, and a neuro-orthopedic center, equipping them with modern medical devices. From 2015 to 2019, the fund helped establish almost 30 paramedic-obstetric stations in rural settlements of the various districts of Belgorod region. In total, over 125 million rubles have been allocated in service of such endeavours.
Andrei Skoch continues to offer a great deal of funding for repairs to state buildings, as well as the construction and reconstruction of various social facilities such as nurseries, schools, university dormitories, cultural centers and more in the Belgorod region.
