On September 19, at the World Youth Festival in Nizhny Novgorod, held on behalf of the President of the Russian Federation, a case study session was held with the ministers of youth policy of the regions of Russia. It was devoted to practices that shape an attractive image of the region – "your place" with a comfortable environment and support for the values of young people.
Representatives of relevant departments from five regions of Russia discussed practices that help retain young people in the regions and attract foreign partners. The case study session was attended by Svetlana Anufrieva, Minister of Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region; Anna Musevich, Minister of Youth Policy of the Kaliningrad Region; Nail Khairullin, Director of the Department of Youth Policy of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug; Viktor Kolomiets, Head of the Agency for Youth Policy and Implementation of Social Development Programs of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and Maria Chernysheva, Chair of the Youth Policy Committee of the Murmansk Region. The Minister of Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region shared the region's experience and talked about how the region's brand was created to attract young people and provide equal opportunities for everyone.
"Every city in Russia will compete for young people, because we all need new talent and ambitious young people who will develop our cities. Nizhny Novgorod has a special feature—it is located in central Russia, which is very convenient. We say that Nizhny is 'a city where you feel alive'. Our city is developing, with international exhibitions, events, and festivals. But at the same time, you don't need to spend a lot of time here to find yourself, find a good job, enjoy cultural activities, and really feel alive. Young people today appreciate a measured and calm pace of life. There is a global trend towards mindfulness and how to use your time in an environmentally friendly way. We are doing everything we can to support this trend and create a space where the dreams and desires of young people matter," Svetlana Anufrieva says in her speech.
The case study session became a platform for dialogue between government officials and young leaders. Participants discussed specific steps to create an attractive image for the regions: from developing creative industries and supporting entrepreneurship to international cooperation programs.
"Our key task is to ensure that every young person can realize their potential in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Each person is a brand of the region, one that we are proud of. Our motto is: 'Nothing in the Krasnoyarsk Territory happens for young people without young people.' It is fundamentally important for us to be able to nurture every talent. This is the philosophy we adhere to. These principles create the basis of the desire to live, work, and return to the region to shape the brand of the Krasnoyarsk Territory," Viktor Kolomiets, Head of the Agency for Youth Policy and Implementation of Social Development Programs of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, says.
The meeting also discussed the specifics of youth policy in the northern regions of our country. Nail Khairullin, Director of the Department of Youth Policy of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, spoke about how unique opportunities for young people coexist with harsh weather conditions:
"We call our youth centers 'branches of metropolitan life in the region' because we believe that creative and talented young people should have the highest level of service in art residences created according to international standards. The North and Yamal are ice and icebergs. The power of Yamal's northern creativity always faces obstacles, but it never retreats, and this iceberg will never melt," Nail Khairullin says during his case study presentation.
The participants were also able to share their vision of an attractive region. When surveyed, the majority noted that it is important for them to support initiatives and maintain active contact with executive authorities so that the voice of young people is heard and their wishes are taken into account.
"In my republic, Karachay-Cherkessia, youth policy has only recently begun to develop at a rapid pace. And our development tools are slightly different from those used by the session experts in their regions. I am writing down all my ideas and interesting practices from the regions that I hear here so that when I arrive, I can meet with Ibrahim Totorkulov, the Minister of Youth Affairs of our republic, and present them to him," Azamat Dzhankezov, a participant from the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, says.
The general partners of the WYF Assembly-2025 are the Russian Music Union, JSC Russian Railways, and Phygital Games. The general information partner is the international television channel RT, and the general media partner is ANO Dialog Regions. The partner for the excursion and regional programs is the More Than Trip program. The strategic partner is VK Tech. Co. The following have also joined the partnership program: “New Generation” program arranged by the Federal Agency for Affairs of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Residing Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Movement of the First, the presidential platform “Russia – Country of Opportunities”, Sovcombank, the Avito Tech. Co., State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, Russian “Znanie” (Knowledge) Society, the Film Studio Soyuzmultfilm, the Government of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Central Bank of Russia, program for young entrepreneurs “Rosmolodezh.Undertake” and the Mashuk Knowledge Center. Information support for the event is provided by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Argumenty i Fakty publishing house, the African Initiative and the Window to Russia project of ANO “TV-Novosti”.
The organizer of the World Youth Festival Assembly is the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the co-organizer of the event is the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the event operator is the World Youth Festival Directorate. The Festival pursues the goals of the Youth and Children national project.
Overview:
In accordance with the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin on preserving and developing the legacy of the World Youth Festival, which took place on the Sirius Federal Territory in 2024 and united 20,000 young people from 190 countries of the world, festival events on the territory of the Russian Federation will be held annually. The next World Youth Festival for 20,000 participants will be held in 2030. In 2026, there will be a smaller event, an International Youth Festival with 10,000 participants. In between, the World Youth Festival’s themed Assemblies will be held annually for 2,000 participants. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.