Informal youth associations as an institute of civil society

The article is devoted to the specific influence of informal youth associations in the development of a civil society in contemporary Russia. As shown by empirical studies such informal youth associations as bikers, fans of rock music, rappers, voluntary searching groups, social initiatives movement, role-players reconstructing history have a high level of civil engagement. Their institualization is manifested in all sorts of social activities, and namely, assisting children’s homes, spreading healthy lifestyle, demonstrating against social inequality.