Russia’s Leading Youth Organizations Expand Opportunities for Abkhazian Youth
On February 28, a Russian delegation visited the Republic of Abkhazia, including leaders of major youth policy organizations in Russia. Representatives of the World Youth Festival Directorate, the Russian Youth Union, the Dobro.rf Association, the Forum Directorate, the Tavrida Art Cluster, the All-Russian Student Project “Your Move”, and the Movement of the First presented best projects, programmes, and practices of Russia’s youth ecosystem to the youth of Abkhazia. The meeting took place at educational institutions in Sukhum. Over two hundred young people from Abkhazia participated in it.
Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, noted that the previous visit of an official Russian delegation, which included representatives of the country’s youth sector, demonstrated the interest of Abkhazian youth in participating in Russian youth projects.
“Our youth policy is a highly dynamic system that incorporates best practices, experience, and ideas from across the country. Moreover, young people themselves act as initiators and co-authors of many ideas, innovations, and projects. We are ready to share our knowledge. Therefore, we invite the youth of the Republic of Abkhazia, as our like-minded partners and close friends, to join our activities, participate in forums and training programmes, creative competitions, and hundreds of other open platforms for self-fulfillment”, emphasized Dmitry Ivanov.
He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously instructed the Government of the Russian Federation to explore the possibility of integrating children and youth from Abkhazia into Russian youth projects. This includes competitions, projects, forums, and other events organized by Rosmolodezh, the Movement of the First, the presidential platform “Russia – Land of Opportunity", the Dobro.rf Association, the Russian Znanie (Knowledge) Society, the World Youth Festival Directorate, the Mashuk Knowledge Center, and the Tavrida Art Cluster.
“Youth policy has always been an important tool for building and developing society. The Government of the Republic pays significant attention to the development of youth policy, actively fostering cooperation with the Russian Federation in this field. Every year, dozens of young people from Abkhazia participate in the Rosmolodezh’s forum campaign. They not only intend to make new connections and gain knowledge but also present their implemented initiatives. We are sure that today’s presentation of projects and programmes will provide answers to all the questions of those who have never participated in Russian forums and will open up new opportunities for them”, noted Idris Kara-Osman Oglu, Head of the Youth Policy Department of the State Committee for Youth and Sports of the Republic of Abkhazia.
During the visit, Dmitry Ivanov announced the launch of the “Internship Without Borders” competition by the World Youth Festival Directorate. This initiative will allow young people from Abkhazia to dive into professional international activities, improving their communication skills and expertise. The idea of the competition arose after a meeting with Abkhazian youth in mid-February this year, in response to their interest in participating in Russian projects aimed at international cooperation. It was then decided that the Republic would be included in the pilot phase of this initiative. Registration for the competition begins on March 1.
Kirill Antonov, Executive Director of the Dobro.rf Association, emphasized that the organization offers a wide range of activities for Abkhazian youth. Young people and non-profit organizations in the Republic can utilize the Dobro.rf platform to easily manage their projects and engage volunteers. The Dobro.rf Association also invites young people to join educational programmes on volunteerism and NPO development at the Civil Society Academy “Dobrino”, as well as online via the Dobro.University platform. Additionally, there are plans to launch the “Service-Learning” programme in the Republic’s universities, and open a “Dobro.Center”.
Ksenia Yanova, Deputy Chair of the Board of the Movement of the First, invited Abkhazian youth to learn about each of the organization’s 12 areas of activity. Currently, young people aged 14 to 17 can join the international project “School Diplomacy Clubs” and the “Bolshaya Peremena” contest, as its new season started on February 28. Ksenia Yanova also highlighted that in 2024, 28 Abkhazian schoolchildren participated in the international shift “Planet of Big Changes” at “Artek”. Soon, they will have more opportunities to take part in events of the International Association of Children's Organizations.
Ekaterina Antonova, Head of the Federal Directorate for Forums and Programmes at Rosmolodezh, emphasized that the Agency’s projects contribute to strengthening unity, friendship, and cooperation among young people. Today, young people have opportunities for self-fulfillment and talent development through participation in forums and programmes at Rosmolodezh’s Year-Round Youth Educational Centers across Russia. In 2025, Rosmolodezh’s forum season will include events in 25 regions of Russia, covering a wide range of personal and professional development areas, including management, business, the agro-industrial sector, acts of kindness, career, culture and media, science and education, industry and regional development, technology, and ecology.
Ksenia Artemyeva, Head of the Tavrida Art Cluster, spoke about opportunities for creative youth. From June to October, Crimea’s Tavrida Art Cluster will host the Meganom Academy Summer Schools. It’s a cultural and educational format which is held annually and considered the biggest point of contact for young professionals in culture, arts, and creative industries. Also, the “Tavrida.ART” youth art festival is scheduled to take place in August. Additionally, Abkhazian youth can join projects that help creative people unlock their potential, such as: a music label, a print magazine, the designer brand “Art. Youth”, the content studio “South.Cinema”, and other initiatives aimed at supporting talented young people.
Dmitry Pokrovsky, Chair of the Russian Youth Union, presented projects already available to Abkhazian youth. For instance, several projects focus on the personal and civic development of school-aged youth aged 12 to 18. These include the III All-Russian Festival “Russian School Spring”, with its National Finale scheduled to take place from April 22 to 26, 2025 in the Stavropol Territory as part of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland in Russia. Young people can also participate in the All-Russian contest “School Student of the Year”, and “School Self-Government”. For university students, there are opportunities to showcase their skills and creativity through the Youth Creativity Support and Development Programme “Russian University Spring”, the Russian National Award “Student of the Year”, and the All-Russian Educational Project “PROFI Team”. Dmitry Pokrovsky noted that in 2025, the Russian Youth Union will celebrate its 35th anniversary, and the organization would be happy to welcome school and university students from Abkhazia to participate in various projects.
Maria Zaripova, Deputy Head of the All-Russian Student Project “Your Move”, announced that one can register to compete in the project until March 6. University and college students from Abkhazia who hold Russian citizenship are eligible to participate. Young people can also join special projects such as “Your Move x Debattle” and “Your Move x Improvization”.
Overview:
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, 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.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the International Youth Festival, and in between, international themed gatherings and events will be held under the auspices of the WYF. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.