Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, and Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), have reported on the outcomes of the International Friendship Clubs' (IFC) activities during the first half of 2026.
“The World Youth Festival, held in 2024 at the direction of President Vladimir Putin, brought together an entire community of engaged and proactive young people ready to take responsibility for the future. Among them are young men and women from across Russia and from 171 countries. The legacy of the Festival is carried forward by the International Friendship Clubs. In the first six months of this year alone, approximately 850 events promoting international youth cooperation took place within the Clubs. More than 12,500 individuals participated – 6,000 from Russia and 6,500 from foreign nations. This work helps introduce both international guests and residents of various Russian regions to our culture and national traditions, and strengthens ties of friendship between Russia and other countries,” noted Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.
Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh, noted that the International Festival of Youth in Ekaterinburg is scheduled to take place as early as September.
“The International Festival of Youth is a platform that will bring together leaders from the most diverse fields – from science and the arts to entrepreneurship and IT. Members of the International Friendship Clubs have developed formats for the Cultural Mentorship program, which will be featured at the Festival in Ekaterinburg: a traditional Russian bread-and-salt welcome ceremony for international participants, master classes in folk crafts and traditional musical instruments. Through firsthand experience, our guests from abroad will be able to immerse themselves in Russia's historical context and gain an appreciation for its culture and traditions,” emphasized Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh.
The core focus of the International Friendship Clubs is the development of joint initiatives with partner countries. In February, the club of the Yaroslavl Oblast held a videoconference with a Cuban representative to discuss collaborative initiatives between the two countries for 2026. In May, IFC participants in St. Petersburg, including a representative from Venezuela, laid flowers at the Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery ahead of Victory Day. In June, the Moscow club hosted an interactive event titled “Russia Day,” which was attended by the new media representatives from China.
The Clubs are also developing their own recurring engagement formats. For instance, a year-long educational program titled “BRICS+ School of Protocol and Etiquette” was launched in the Tyumen Oblast, while the Yaroslavl Oblast established a translators' community for students of linguistics.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place in Sirius on March 1-7, 2024, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
In line with the Russian President’s instructions to preserve and further develop the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across the Russian Federation. In 2025, the World Youth Festival Assembly was held in Nizhny Novgorod, bringing together 2,000 young people from 120 countries. In 2026, the International Festival of Youth will welcome 10,000 participants. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will take place in 2030.
The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a global community of young people committed to shaping a better future.