The World Youth Festival Directorate has become a partner of the Patriot National Prize. Registration for international participants is now open on the International Platform of Opportunities.

The Patriot National Prize is an annual platform for identifying and supporting effective practices and projects in the field of civic-patriotic education for children and young people. The award is organized by Rosmolodezh’s Rospatriotcenter. In 2026, the award will become part of the All-Russian Patriotic Forum and will include 15 categories.

The World Youth Festival Directorate is serving as the operator of a special track within the award – the Best International Project category. In addition, the Directorate will establish a special prize for the winner of the category. This decision reflects the Directorate's experience in international youth cooperation.

Applications for the Best International Project category can be submitted until 11:59 PM on October 12, 2026. Foreign nationals aged 18 to 35 are invited to take part, whether living abroad or in the Russian Federation, provided they are carrying out international projects in the field of civic-patriotic education. Separate application forms are available for individuals and legal entities.

The awards ceremony for the Patriot National Prize laureates will take place on December 10, 2026, at the National Center RUSSIA.

Overview:

The World Youth Festival took place from March 1 to 7, 2024, in Sirius, in accordance with a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at developing international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.

The International Festival of Youth, held as part of the Youth and Children national project, took place in Ekaterinburg from September 11 to 17, 2026. The decree establishing the event was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 29, 2025. The Festival was held under the motto "Follow Your Dream."

Participants of the IFY – 2026 included 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries, including 5,000 Russians and 5,000 international citizens. Among them were people who had achieved success in creative industries and the arts, public administration, science and education, sport, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, and civic engagement. Continuing the successful practice established at the World Youth Festival 2024, those invited included 1,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 – 500 from Russia and 500 from abroad. The Children's Program was organized by the Movement of the First.

In line with instructions from Russia’s President on preserving and building on the legacy of the World Youth Festival, festival events are now held annually across Russia. The World Youth Festival Directorate continues its work to strengthen international youth cooperation and build a community of young people who care about the future of the world.