November 29 is the 10th #GivingTuesday, the global generosity day. This is the day when millions of people unite to do good deeds, share how they help others and promote charity. Today the GSOM SPbU Charity Foundation for Development announced a large project of renovation of a historical alley at Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus. Ekaterina Voronina, Executive Director of the GSOM SPbU Endowment Management Fund and Deputy Executive Director of the GSOM SPbU Charity Foundation for Development shared the details with us.

— Ekaterina, could you tell more about the project?

— Mikhailovskaya Dacha is one of the jewels of the Peterhof Road with its palace and garden complexes, a federal heritage site and the closest neighbor of the Konstantinovsky Palace. The residence of Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov was renovated to become the suburban campus of the Graduate School of Management of SPbU. Historical linden alley was part of the park complex and was used as the main access road to Mikhailovskaya Dacha. 

We are going to collect funds for almost a year to restore the splendor and beauty of the linden alley. Today we officially launch the project.

 

— Why is the project important?

— We dream to recreate the spectacular main access to the campus ー a place of attraction and the most popular place for all photos of GSOM SPbU! We decided to coincide this project with the Business School's 30th anniversary in 2023. The idea is that every GSOM SPbU community member can make a birthday gift to the alma mater and support our project. 

 

— Who can donate a tree?

— Our advisors, partners, alumni and students, staff, faculty and friends can take part in the campaign "Gift a tree for the 30th anniversary of GSOM SPbU". Anyone who wishes to do so can buy a tree or several trees on the website and pay at once or in installments. 

 — Why did you decide to announce the linden project on the #GivingTuesday?

— We follow the Giving Tuesday motto "Helping is easy, sharing it is not a shame!" We proudly publish the names of contributors on the project's website, and everyone who donates a sum for one or several trees will get a personal nameplate on the alley. 

 — Has anyone already bought a tree?

— Olga Dergunova, Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, GSOM SPbU Director made the first donation. Participants of the alumni reunion that took place on October 28 in Moscow joined her.

 

— Where to find out more and buy a tree?

— We created a website dedicated to the project https://2025.gsom.spbu.ru/alleya

You can also keep up with the project and just check out the good news in the telegram channel «Липовые новости». Join us!