Centre for Russian Culture and Language

Russkiy Mir Foundation was created by decree by Vladimir Putin in 2007, as a government-sponsored organisation aimed at promoting the Russian language worldwide, and "forming the Russian World as a global project", co-operating with the Russian Orthodox Church in promoting values that challenge the Western cultural tradition. The Foundation was modeled after similar culture promotion agencies, such as British Council and Goethe Institute.

The founders the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. The assets of the foundation come from the federal budget, voluntary property contributions and donations, and other legal sources.