The first stage of the Young Abkhazia International Youth Forum has concluded at Abkhazian State University. The outcome of two-day work was eight project initiatives, developed by participants and presented at the final defense. The projects are to be implemented by the republic's youth activists with the support of the Russian partners.
"We saw how ambitious the initiatives of Abkhazian youth are. These projects will reach thousands of people, and once these ideas are realized, I'm confident the republic will be grateful to its young activists. The Federal Agency for Youth Affairs is ready to support their implementation: our grant programs, educational projects, and expert resources are open to the Abkhazian partners. I believe that together we can turn these initiatives into real achievements that will change young people's lives in the republic," said Denis Ashirov, State Secretary and Deputy Head of Rosmolodezh.
Over two days, the forum brought together more than 600 participants from Russia, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia. The first day featured the relaunch of the Young Abkhazia movement with the election of a new chairman, Said Kulanba, and the signing of three cooperation agreements between youth organizations of Russia and Abkhazia. The second day was devoted to motivational meetings with Olympic champion Arsen Dalaloyan, lectures by the Russian Society "Znanie" (Knowledge), and project defenses.
Participants developed 8 projects covering key areas of the republic's life: a program to develop youth representative offices in rural areas reaching 2,000 people; the Youth Leader educational project on public administration and project management for 300 participants; a media project to build a unified brand for the youth program with the creation of a media center for 150 people; the scientific-innovation project "Science and Creativity – the Future of Abkhazia," featuring a hackathon and competition for 300 people; the Social Activists of Abkhazia volunteer project involving 500 volunteers; the military-patriotic camp "Abkhazia – Homeland of Heroes" for 500 participants; the project to promote traditional values "Apsuara – a Path to the Individual" reaching 800 people; and the sports and wellness project "Ash'ata – Health and Sport" for 2,000 people.
Said Kulanba, chairman of the Young Abkhazia interregional public organization, also commented: "These projects aren't just on paper. Each of them will reach a large number of young people from different segments of the population — from rural schoolchildren to students and young professionals. They will give Abkhazian youth real opportunities to make their homeland better: creating jobs in villages, developing sports and science, strengthening patriotic spirit, and preserving our traditions, as well as highlighting all of this in the media space. We are grateful to our Russian partners for their support and are confident that together we can accomplish everything we've planned.»
Implementation of the developed projects will begin as early as September 2026. The Young Abkhazia forum became a relaunch point for the movement and laid the foundation for systematic work with youth in the republic.