Highlights of the Tula Region Week at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The Tula Region Week has wrapped up at the National Centre RUSSIA. The thematic week was part of the exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" and gave visitors a deeper understanding of the region’s culture, history and modern initiatives. Guests saw traditional Tula crafts, sampled local cuisine, learned about achievements in science, industry and education, and discovered projects shaping the region’s future.

Meeting with Governor Dmitry Milyaev

On 17 September, during the exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA, the Governor of the Tula Region, Dmitry Milyaev, held an open dialogue with residents and experts, speaking about the region’s achievements and development plans until 2030 and looking ahead to 2036. The discussion focused on industry, agriculture, investment policy, family support, healthcare and education.

"We are an industrial centre. Our economy is based on the defence industry, the chemical sector and metallurgy, with automotive manufacturing now added. These industries will continue to grow, meeting the state’s objectives," the governor said.

He noted that agriculture has become a driver of growth: over the past ten years grain production has tripled, the region has moved into second place in Russia for potato production, and rapeseed processing is actively expanding. More than 30 projects are under way in the Uzlovaya Special Economic Zone, with total investment exceeding 100 billion roubles.

The governor also stressed the priority of family support and demographic policy: "Tula Region is a land of family happiness."

Dmitry Milyaev explained that in the past eight years more than 60,000 families have received government support. New initiatives include a one-off payment of 1 million roubles for "early births". Other measures include monthly allowances for large families and a programme to repay up to 1 million roubles in mortgage loans.

Healthcare and longevity are also central to the region’s strategy. "The key to a long life is quality healthcare combined with a responsible attitude to one’s health," Dmitry Milyaev said.

According to him, in recent years primary healthcare has been strengthened: feldsher-midwife stations have been built and renovated, allowances introduced for specialists over 60, and 1,100 target students trained for work in medical institutions.

Support Practices for Special Military Operation Participants in Business 

On 16 September, a working group met to discuss ways of integrating special military operation participants into entrepreneurship and to develop mechanisms for businesses to work with them.

The Tula region currently offers more than 70 support measures for this group of citizens. On the initiative of the governor, the regional programme "Hero 71" is under way. Two modules focus on helping participants start their own businesses — in entrepreneurship and self-employment. In addition to educational modules, consultations and tax incentives, the programme also provides preferential financial products through the My Business Centre. For example, a loan of up to 5 million roubles is available at a reduced rate of 9% (compared with 12% under the "Standard" programme).

At the end of last year, the My Business Centre developed the training programme "Business Workshop. Time of Heroes" specifically for special military operation participants and their families. Thirteen people completed the first course. The second stream began on 15 September, with eleven participants and family members currently in training.

From 1 January 2026, a reduced tax rate under the simplified taxation system will take effect: 1% — income, excluding wholesale and/or retail trade; 3% — income from trade; 5% — income – expenses, non-trade; 10% — income – expenses, trade.

Dronefication of the Tula Region and Neighbouring Regions 

On 16 September, a panel session was held on the interregional project "Dronefication" in the Tula, Kaluga, Ryazan regions, and the Moscow region. Representatives of federal and regional authorities, unmanned aviation experts and developers discussed the development of drone systems, safety measures and industry standards.

First Deputy Governor of the Tula Region, Mikhail Panteleyev, highlighted the need for a comprehensive approach: "Dronefication is receiving a lot of attention at both the federal and regional levels. The next step is to find residents and help them apply their products. Once residents receive orders, the scientific and production centre will also have orders."

Investment Potential of the Tula Region 

On 16 September, the investment potential of the region was presented. Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Tula Region, Pavel Tatarenko, introduced the Regional Investment Standard — a new system of support and guidance for investment projects developed by the regional government together with federal authorities and business associations. The aim of the standard is to shorten the path from idea to implementation and to remove common barriers for entrepreneurs.

The region ranks third in the Central Federal District for the effectiveness of the Regional Export Standard 2.0 and fourth for investment volume. Sergei Kiryukhin, Director General of the Regional Development and Support Corporation of the Tula region, noted that KRTO JSC is currently supporting around 130 agreements worth over 500 billion roubles. The region has a developed network of preferential business areas: the Uzlovaya Special Economic Zone, the Uzlovaya Industrial Park, and the Territories of Advanced Development of Aleksin and Yefremov, each with a unique investment profile and support measures.

V All-Russian Women’s Forum "Together"

On 17 September, the V All-Russian Women’s Forum "Together" took place, with the participation of the Governor of the Tula Region, Dmitry Milyaev. The forum focused on implementing the National Strategy of Action for Women until 2030 and on developing women’s entrepreneurship. The event brought together women leaders from across Russia at the strategic and expert sessions and discussion platforms.

"The Tula region is a region for life and a land of family happiness. Our main priority is the family. We believe that a strong family means a strong Russia, and women are its soul and foundation," Dmitry Milyaev emphasised.

The governor highlighted women’s contributions to healthcare, education, science, culture, entrepreneurship and public administration. The region has introduced more than 50 family and motherhood support measures, implemented a regional demographic standard, created infrastructure to balance study and childcare, and provides support for large families and women entrepreneurs.

Open Dialogue on the Future of Novomoskovsk 

On 18 September, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the open dialogue "Novomoskovsk-2030. Towards the 100th Anniversary", which brought together government officials, business representatives, experts and Moscow university students originally from Novomoskovsk. Moderator Nadezhda Dolgikh noted that the event is important for jointly designing the city’s future and for drawing the attention of federal authorities, investors and young talent.

Deputy Governor of the Tula Region, Alexei Davletshin, addressed the participants: "Novomoskovsk is one of the region’s main growth drivers. We are investing in its economy, environment and infrastructure. But without the involvement of residents themselves, without their ideas and energy, no project will be truly successful."

Heads of the municipality and administration, Alexei Platonov and Ruslan Butov, presented the city’s development concept to 2030, which includes urban improvements, digitalisation, youth support, restoration of historic sites and the development of green areas.

The meeting addressed pressing issues such as road quality, encouraging university graduates to return to their hometowns, and creating new jobs. Two new initiatives were announced: the programme "Novomoskovsk — Land of Return" to support young professionals, and the "Novomoskovsk-2030" ideas contest with grants for the best projects.

Workshop on Digital Hygiene

On 19 September, the "Digital Hygiene" event was held, organised by the Ministry of Digital Development and Communications of the Tula Region. The lecture at the "Space of Opportunities" platform was attended by students of the Donskoy Polytechnic College, while school students from the Tula and Moscow regions joined online. Experts discussed online fraud schemes, protection measures, the basics of digital hygiene and information security, as well as the fundamentals of prompt engineering and IT career prospects.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Communications of the Tula Region, Roman Borisov, noted that the workshop gives students new knowledge and the chance to visit an innovative venue, while the ministry will continue cooperating with companies on educational initiatives and cybersecurity.

Tourism and Investment Potential

On 19 September, the tourism investment potential of the Tula region was presented. The event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, federal and regional development institutions, investors and the hotel business. In an open dialogue, information was presented on the region’s tourist routes, cultural heritage sites, promising areas for infrastructure development and land plots for projects.

Olga Gremyakova, Deputy Chairman of the Government and Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Tula Region, emphasised that investors were reminded about support measures within the national project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry", as well as tools provided by DOM.RF and the SME Corporation. Special attention was given to developing the macro-territory "Great Golden Ring", the federal project "Land for Tourism", and the inclusion of estates in economic activity.

At the regional stand, an agreement on cooperation was signed between the Tula Region Tourism Development Agency and the road-trip travel portal "Smorodina".

Development of Scientific and Innovative Projects

As part of the exposition "Region-2030. Platform of the Future", a meeting of the Council of Young Scientists and Specialists of the region was held. The session was chaired by the First Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Government of the Tula region, Mikhail Panteleyev. He noted that the Tula region was among the first to approve a state programme for scientific and technological development, with a regional budget of 1.6 billion roubles until 2028. These funds are allocated for laboratory infrastructure, creating and improving educational spaces, and financing support measures for young scientists. Strong progress has been made in developing new materials, pharmaceuticals, instrumentation and biochemical technologies. Research in these areas has also expanded at universities. Thanks to this, the Tula region maintains high positions for the shipment of innovative goods and services: 4th in the Central Federal District and 10th in Russia.

Participants reviewed the council’s work in 2025 and discussed priorities for 2026–2030, particularly new tools for developing scientific and innovative projects.

Mikhail Panteleyev also presented the annual Tula Region Government Awards to the best young scientists.

Comprehensive Development of the Tula Region

In an open dialogue, participants discussed the implementation of the Comprehensive Development of Territories (CDT) mechanism in the region. For 2025, the Tula region’s urban development target was set at 9.4 million square metres. At present, the potential of land plots designated for housing construction totals 9.335 million square metres, including 1.45 million within CDT.

Currently, 26 comprehensive development projects are under way in the region. Once completed, the total housing supply will amount to 1.45 million square metres.

Maria Sinichich, Director of the Department for Comprehensive Development of Territories of the Ministry of Construction of Russia, noted that the region has done significant work on introducing the CDT mechanism, which is already delivering substantial results.

Creating New Gastronomic Brands 

On 20 September, an open dialogue was held to discuss a new concept for the development of the Tula region’s gastronomy industry. The aim was to preserve gastronomic legacy and form a unique flavour brand for the territories.

Leading restaurateurs and representatives of the regional tourism industry discussed mechanisms for developing the region’s gastronomic potential, analysed the influence of gastronomy on the image of the territories and on attracting tourists.

The participants also developed the concept of an annual gastronomic festival, intended among other things to attract more tourists to Tula.

"Taste Tula" 

On 20 September, the gastronomic presentation "Taste Tula" was held. Guests discovered the culinary traditions of the Tula region through four specially prepared tasting blocks. In the block "Pure Flavours of Tula Cuisine", well-known Tula restaurateur Igor Sindeyev presented spelt porridge with pickles, duck and lard.

The next part of the presentation, "Original Interpretation", featured Vladimir Lomonosov, Chef of Wine & Whiskey by Simple, who treated participants to white fish fillet with baked apple, cranberries and Tula gingerbread sauce — a dish inspired by a historical recipe of Vasily Levshin, a native of the Tula region, one of the founders of Russian culinary art and author of the famous book "The Russian Cookhouse".

The third part, "Immersive Tasting", was led by Chef Yelena Chipenko, who held a creative workshop "Tula Gingerbread: from Zhamka to a Modern Delicacy".

The final block, "Inspired by History", took participants to Leo Tolstoy’s Yasnaya Polyana estate. Anton Krupenin, Brand Chef of the country hotel Just WOOD, presented guests of the National Centre RUSSIA with the famous Tula dessert — the Ankovsky pie, reimagined from a recipe by Sofia Andreyevna Tolstaya.

Grand Finale

The final of Tula Region Week at the National Centre RUSSIA featured a Youth Day. The programme included creative performances, workshops and interactive activities. Winners and participants of the All-Russian festival project "Russian Student Spring" presented original genres, vocal and dance performances, and theatre productions. The audience took part in a music quiz, a flash mob, the filming of a trending video and the "Ask the Artist" session.

Alongside the concert, workshops were held by the Movement of the First: painting vinyl records and customising clothes. Participants created unique art objects and "things with meaning". The programme also included performances by children’s KVN comedy teams from Tula, while juniors attended a workshop on writing jokes and teamwork. The day concluded with a photo session and a group photo of the participants.