Alexander Prudnik, senior researcher of Sociology Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences (Nizhniy Novgorod branch)

– Key reason why the population of Navashino district approves of Nizhniy Novgorod NPP project is that it is an opportunity to improve their social-economic situation

The key reason why the population of Navashino district approves of the Nizhniy Novgorod NPP project is that it is an opportunity for them to improve their social-economic situation and personal prospects. Navashino is a depressive district with no chance of improvement for the near future. The local residents see that and are gradually leaving the area. Most of the emigrants are young people and men of the able-bodied age. The birth rate in the district is low. If this situation continues for 10–15 years more, there will be no able-bodied population left in the area. The Baltic NPP project will give the local population jobs and will improve the social infrastructure in the district: roads, kindergartens, schools. So, for the people living in Navashino district this is, first of all, a social project, a chance to improve their living conditions and build up worthy future for their children. The key peculiarity of the public attitude towards the Nizhniy Novgorod NPP project is that young able-bodied people support the construction more actively than pensioners do. The key advocates of the project are young men who have no jobs for the moment.

One of the most popular positive answers is “I support the project if they consider my demands.” The key demands of the people concern social rather than technical security. They are sure that the technical, professional, economic and safety aspects will be considered but are afraid that the social component of the project will not help them to solve the problems of their district. Many of them fear that the project will recruit gastarbeiters rather than local residents. The number of supporters has grown only when the owners of the project have said that the construction will care for the social and economic interests of the local population and will give jobs to them for the present and their children in the future. 

According to the results of the survey held by the Nizhniy Novgorod branch of the Sociology Institute in Navashino district in Aug 2009, almost 60% of the local residents support the construction of Nizhniy Novgorod NPP if their proposals and demands are considered. Only 17.9% object to the project pointblank. 24.7% have no opinion on the matter.

Sept 4 the public of Navashino district of Nizhniy Novgorod region expressed support for the project.