The application campaign for the Best International Project nomination of the Patriot National Award, run by Rosmolodezh’s Rospatriotcenter, has concluded. The World Youth Festival Directorate is a partner of the nomination, which covers initiatives aimed at promoting an objective image of Russia and advancing traditional Russian spiritual and moral values abroad.

“The Best International Project nomination received more than 1,000 applications from representatives of 101 countries. Young people presented initiatives in a wide range of areas, from preserving cultural heritage and developing intercultural dialogue to education, social projects, ecology, and artificial intelligence. Such diversity shows how broad the interests and opportunities of today’s youth are. It is important for us to support projects that help young people from different countries get to know each other better, exchange experience, and find common ground. I believe that the Patriot Award and the Best International Project nomination will serve as an additional incentive for developing international youth cooperation and implementing initiatives that strengthen mutual understanding between peoples,” noted Dmitry Ivanov, General Director of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

For foreign citizens, the application campaign ran from September 21 to October 12, 2026, on the International Platform of Opportunities of the WYFD. Candidates from Russia registered in the Federal State Automated Information System, Youth of Russia. Foreign and Russian citizens aged 18 to 35 were eligible to take part in the competition.

Applications were received from Brazil, Pakistan, Belarus, India, Algeria, Vietnam, Morocco, Serbia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, Mexico, Malaysia, Peru, Nigeria, South Africa, and many other countries.

The most popular projects focused on preserving cultural heritage, developing intercultural dialogue, and promoting national languages and traditions. Participants also paid considerable attention to developing education and professional skills, as well as to initiatives in health, social support, and inclusion. Other areas included artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and technological innovation, as well as environmental projects and sustainable development. In addition, young people presented initiatives that use sport as a tool for communication and education, along with projects related to supporting diasporas, migration, and the development of civic engagement.

Once the campaign has concluded, the Organizing Committee reviews the applications received for compliance with the Award’s requirements. Selected applications are sent to the Expert Council, where each one is reviewed by at least three experts against ten criteria, including the relevance and uniqueness of the project, its results and social impact, scale of implementation, and prospects for development. Based on the expert review, three nominees will be selected in the Best International Project nomination, from whom one laureate will be chosen. The winner’s name will be announced at the awards ceremony in December 2026 at the National Center RUSSIA in Moscow, as part of the All-Russian Patriotic Forum.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival was held from March 1 to 7, 2024, in Sirius pursuant to a decree issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It brought together 20,000 participants from 190 countries and established a community of young leaders willing to take responsibility for the future of their countries.

To preserve the legacy of the World Youth Festival 2024 and further develop dialogue among young leaders, international youth events in Russia are held on a regular basis. In 2025, Nizhny Novgorod hosted the World Youth Festival Assembly, bringing together 2,000 participants from 120 countries. In 2026, Ekaterinburg hosted the International Festival of Youth, which brought together 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries.

The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and develop a community of young people committed to the future of the world.