Movement of the First sums up a year of work by the "Space of Opportunities" at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The Movement of the First has summed up a year of work by the "Space of Opportunities" cultural and educational platform at the National Centre RUSSIA. It opened on 15 May 2025, becoming a point of attraction for talented children and young people interested in the media industry. Today, it is a place where aspiring specialists can try different roles under the guidance of experts, from correspondent to camera operator.

Among participants of the Movement of the First, the "Space of Opportunities" has received the informal name "Media House of the First". The platform has enabled many young people to make themselves known at the federal level, gain sought-after knowledge and achieve new successes. Celebratory events dedicated to the anniversary of the opening of the location were attended by honoured guests and partners.

"Young people do not always need only a strong desire to develop their talents. In some cases, they need a ball; in others, a library; in others, an opportunity to attend a section or studio. When we talk about media, additional equipment and a space where they can try, record, make mistakes and do better again are already needed. That is why it is very important that the young people now have the 'Space of Opportunities'. It helps not only to develop media skills, but also to form critical thinking, independence and responsibility for their words and results. I wish the young people to use these opportunities truly boldly: to set ambitious goals, create high-quality content and strive to make sure their work is seen not by dozens or hundreds of people, but by the whole country," said Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects Sergei Novikov.

The "Space of Opportunities" includes a large television and radio complex consisting of the "News of the First" programme studio, "Class Radio" and a television studio. The exposition part of the platform includes a conference hall with a capacity of more than 130 people, the "New Media" zone for creating relevant content, the "Photo Zone and Social Media" area with AR technologies, which makes it possible to take vivid photos, and an XR studio where visitors can try themselves as actors or reporters.

"The Movement of the First opened the 'Media House of the First' just over a year ago. This is what the 'Space of Opportunities', which we are developing with the support of our friends and partners, is commonly called. Over this time, more than 250 events have been held here. Under the guidance of experienced media specialists, the young people create a large amount of informative and useful content: podcasts, videos, blogs, radio and television formats. Their work has already gained more than 40 million views across different resources. I am confident that today it is especially important to support young people’s media creativity and raise a generation of responsible patriots ready to defend traditional values in the information space," emphasised Hero of Russia, participant in the presidential programme "Time of Heroes" and Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First Artur Orlov.

Since the platform opened, its visitors have had the opportunity to attend lectures, workshops, forums, large-scale festivals and panel discussions, as well as meet leading experts, public figures and popular bloggers. For example, the International Forum of Civic Participation WEARETOGETHER, the "Strong Ideas for a New Time" forum, the "Russia — Family of Families" marathon, the BRICS Melody International Festival and the launch of a new season of the "Bolshaya Peeremena" ("Big Change") contest have been held here.

"The 'Space of Opportunities' has been operating here for a year now, and back then we agreed that we would organise the Young Journalists School. And now we already have our first graduating class! But we are not stopping there. Anyone who wants to can come here to try their hand in the media sphere. Mentors are always nearby: they will help, advise and guide. One of our key missions is to develop professional skills among children and young people. Today, our branches are opening across Russia, and together with our friends we propose organising the same 'Spaces of Opportunities' and Young Journalists Schools in them. After all, the National Centre has not only a modern practical zone; the country’s main events also take place here. And this is your chance: by taking part in such events, you can already practise, gain experience and make yourself known. The President has created this unique opportunity for you. Do not miss it," commented Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.

One of the key events of the celebrations was a pitching session, during which participants of the Movement of the First and young journalists of the National Centre RUSSIA presented new media projects.

The Children’s Editorial Office of the Movement of the First media presented the "New Trend" project. This is a music show about children who revive forgotten songs and give them a new sound for a broad audience. The "Media Attraction" team initiated the "Debates of the First" project. A weekly talk show with elements of interviews, discussions and workshops will not only reveal each area of the Movement of the First’s work in detail, but also teach viewers practical skills. In turn, the Young Journalists School team of the National Centre RUSSIA proposed implementing the "Atlas of Russian Traditions" multi-format project. Video and text stories published on popular platforms will introduce everyone interested to the traditions and culture of our country. The experts highly praised all three projects, so they will be implemented at the "Space of Opportunities" in the near future.

"Opportunities for young people’s development and self-realisation are one of our country’s main priorities. This is precisely what the national project 'Youth and Children' is aimed at. On the birthday of the 'Space of Opportunities', the young people presented their own projects, and each of them is interesting, socially significant and promising in its own way. They include projects dedicated to classic works, a contemporary reading of culture and topics close to every resident of our country. It is important to support such initiatives: to help them grow, find an audience and go beyond one region. And here the young people themselves have an advantage: they understand their audience well, because they make media for their peers and together with their peers," noted State Secretary — Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh) Denis Ashirov.

During the event, honoured guests assessed the capabilities of the television and radio complex of the Movement of the First and visited the "Class Radio" and "News of the First" programme studios.

"Over this year, the 'Space of Opportunities' has become a place where young people want to come with ideas, learn, try new things and find their calling. It is especially important for us that the platform has also become a real point of support for projects of the ANO 'Russia — Land of Opportunity'. High-quality and useful content is created here: participants’ stories, reports, interviews and materials about events that are important for the country. The team of the Movement of the First and the young people involved in this work help tell people about the projects. Together, we give young people an opportunity to gain practical experience, and our initiatives an opportunity to sound brighter and reach those who may find them useful," said Director General of the Presidential Platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity" Andrei Betin.

The "Space of Opportunities" was created by the Movement of the First jointly with the Presidential Platform "Russia — Land of Opportunity", the Russian society Znanie and the National Centre RUSSIA with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodyozh).