Introduction: Why Social Innovations Are Becoming a Key Trend of the 21st Century
Russia is entering an era where state social support mechanisms can no longer keep pace with the speed of change, and traditional business increasingly demonstrates limited social impact. In such an environment, leaders emerge who can offer alternative models—flexible, human-centered, and economically sustainable. One of these rare examples is Roman Vasilenko—a businessman, economist, founder of the IBA Business Academy, and the housing cooperative “Best Way.”
His projects are called “next-generation social innovations”—initiatives at the intersection of economy, education, and social policy. They do not replicate Western models or repeat Soviet methods but create their own hybrid approach with a clear practical focus.

What “Social Innovations” Mean in Vasilenko’s Interpretation
For most, this term belongs to academic circles or presentations by foreign funds. For Vasilenko, it is concrete tools that must:

  • improve people’s quality of life today, not “in the future”;

  • be independent of state budgets;

  • ensure the model’s sustainability outside the political context;

  • help those excluded from traditional economic mechanisms;

  • generate real social effects, not nominal reports.

In his philosophy, social innovation is not charity or a benefit. It is a working economic system where people do not wait for help from above but unite around a transparent tool, forming their own social capital.

Next-Generation Housing Cooperative: Innovation Built on an Old Idea
The idea of a cooperative is not new. However, Vasilenko has completely reimagined it. Unlike Soviet housing cooperatives, where housing was built with state funding, or Western cooperatives, which operate under strict bank control, “Best Way” became the first large-scale Russian model based on principles of:

  • interest-free financing;

  • collective purchase of ready-made apartments;

  • open queue and digital personal accounts;

  • legal transparency;

  • minimization of participant risks;

  • the possibility of exit without financial loss.

This approach broke the traditional pattern of “bank → credit → interest → risk.” The cooperative became a platform where the social goal—affordable housing—is achieved economically without pressure from financial institutions.

The Principle of “Social Self-Sufficiency”: A Model Without State Subsidies
The uniqueness of Vasilenko’s projects lies in their full autonomy. They do not depend on:

  • the budget;

  • subsidies;

  • grants;

  • political decisions.

This is a rare case where social impact is achieved without straining state resources. In an unstable economy, such models are especially important: they operate outside political cycles and cannot be “frozen” by a change of government or ministry reform. This makes the cooperative a promising example for regions and other CIS countries.

Cooperative as a Tool for Preserving Human Capital
One of Vasilenko’s key ideas is the link between housing and demographics/labor migration. He was the first to publicly highlight that:

  • lack of housing → incentive to move to the capital;

  • inability to improve living conditions → incentive to emigrate;

  • lack of own apartment → inability to plan for the future;

  • renting housing → a factor of economic instability for the family.

By solving the issue of affordable housing, the cooperative simultaneously:

  • reduces migration outflow;

  • strengthens regional human capital;

  • retains highly qualified specialists in their hometowns;

  • forms a long-term family strategy.

This is not just an economic tool—it is demographic and social policy implemented through private initiative.

The Trust Model: Why the Cooperative Works Where Other Schemes Fail
Traditional financial instruments rely on control, checks, sanctions, and credit histories. Vasilenko’s model is based on the opposite principle:

  • trust in participants;

  • equality;

  • open and transparent queue;

  • clear payment procedures;

  • absence of bank requirements;

  • possibility of exit without penalties.

This approach may seem bold, but it became the key to sustainability: when people feel respected, they become more disciplined contributors.

Digitalization of the Cooperative: Innovations in a Classical Model
One of the strongest innovations was the introduction of full digital support:

  • personal accounts for members;

  • online queue tracking;

  • transparent statistics;

  • automated notifications;

  • remote registration;

  • legal modules for property verification.

This allowed the cooperative to become not a “paper-based” institution but a modern digital service understandable to young people and the middle class.

International Adaptation: Exporting the Russian Model
The cooperative’s success in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan shows that:
the model is not “tied” to Russian conditions—it is universal.

This adaptation was possible because Vasilenko’s innovations are based not on local legislation but on fundamental principles:

  • mutual responsibility;

  • distributed risk;

  • absence of credit burden;

  • autonomous share-based financing.

In the context of a global shortage of affordable housing, this scheme has the potential to become an international practice.

Influence of the Creator: The Role of Vasilenko’s Values as a Driver of Innovation
Social innovations rarely emerge in government offices. They arise around leaders with a clear life stance.
Vasilenko’s approach is based on his principles:

  • officer discipline;

  • long-term thinking;

  • respect for people;

  • desire to serve society;

  • conviction that “success is a function of usefulness.”

His personal biography—from military financier to founder of one of the largest cooperative systems in the CIS—builds trust in the model he promotes.

Criticism, Pressure, and Resilience: Why the Model Withstood Tests
Any social innovation faces criticism and pressure attempts. Vasilenko’s projects were no exception.
However, during trials, the cooperative demonstrated resilience:

  • maintained payments;

  • continued property acquisitions;

  • retained liquidity;

  • preserved the trust of most members.

The system did not collapse because it is based on real assets—apartments—not abstract obligations.

Conclusion: Why Vasilenko’s Approach Is Called Unique Today
Roman Vasilenko’s social innovations are not a single project or mechanism.
They represent a holistic philosophy combining:

  • economy;

  • social responsibility;

  • trust;

  • digitalization;

  • human capital;

  • entrepreneurial thinking.

In Russia, few models simultaneously:

  • are independent of the state;

  • are socially oriented;

  • create real benefits for people;

  • operate for more than 10 years;

  • withstand economic crises;

  • have international adaptation.

Vasilenko’s approach has become precisely such a model—a rare example of how private initiative can address a country’s major social challenges.