The National Centre RUSSIA opens applications for the second season of the Young Journalists School

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The National Centre RUSSIA's multi-format project "Young Journalists School" has opened applications for its new intake. Russian citizens aged 12 to 17 inclusive from any region of the country are invited to take part in the contest selection process. Applications are open to school students and students at secondary vocational education institutions. Participation in the programme is free, and applications can be submitted via the link until 10 October.

The Young Journalists School combines mentoring, practical experience and direct interaction with professionals. The project is designed for those who want to learn to work confidently with information, create their own texts and videos, ask important questions, find people to feature in their stories and take their first steps in the modern media landscape.

Participants will explore journalistic genres, learn to conduct interviews and prepare reports, work with photographs and videos, run a blog, create content for different media platforms, verify facts and analyse sources. Particular attention will be paid to modern digital and neural network tools, as well as the ability to distinguish reliable information from manipulation. However, the programme is not based on lectures alone: the students will complete practical assignments, develop their own projects, create multimedia content and have the opportunity to cover real events held by the National Centre RUSSIA and its branches.

Applications are open both to teenagers who already run a blog, make videos or work for a school publication and to those who are only beginning to take an interest in journalism. Previous publications, professional equipment, an expensive camera or a powerful smartphone are not required. The main criteria will be motivation, independent thinking, creative potential, an interest in media and a willingness to develop. Experts will assess the content of the contest entry, the author's ideas and their ability to express their own position clearly, rather than the number of followers, likes or views.

To join the All-Russian project, applicants must submit an application through the project section of the National Centre RUSSIA's official website and complete a creative task by 10 October 2026. The task includes an essay on one of the proposed topics and a video introduction lasting no more than 90 seconds. The essay should present the applicant's own observations, arguments and personal attitude towards the topic, while the video should provide a simple and sincere account of who they are, their interests and their desire to take part in the project. Detailed requirements for submitting the creative work will be included in the contest selection rules. The use of artificial intelligence to prepare the essay is not recommended: the project team wants to see every applicant's personal perspective and individual voice.

The list of applicants who advance to the next stage will be published on the National Centre RUSSIA website on 31 October. From 1 to 10 November, they will take part in interviews with experts and complete a supervised essay-writing task. This stage can be completed in person at the National Centre RUSSIA or by video call. The final list of applicants recommended for enrolment in the School will be announced on 15 November.

The programme will begin in mid-November 2026 and continue until 30 June 2027. Students from Moscow and the Moscow Region will attend in-person classes at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. In-person classes will also be available to participants from Vladivostok, Krasnoyarsk, Khanty-Mansiysk and Ryazan at the National Centre RUSSIA branches in the respective cities. Applicants should assess in advance whether they will be able to attend the programme and its special events regularly. Taking classes, practical work and sessions with professionals into account, participation will be required at least two or three times a week.

A comprehensive online module will be available to students from other Russian regions. It will include regular video-conference webinars with media educators, educational materials, homework and practical assignments, tests, feedback from mentors and collaborative work with other participants. The online programme will be supplemented by two in-person sessions in Moscow, one in winter and one in summer, to be held in 2027. Participants, their parents or their sponsoring organisations must cover their own travel, meals and accommodation costs, including during the in-person sessions.

The School programme includes meetings with working journalists, editors, media managers, bloggers, war correspondents and other media professionals. Participants will be able to prepare questions for professionals in advance, learn about the realities of working in the media, visit industry venues and news agencies, and experience working in a real newsroom. The project is co-organised by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the Movement of the First. Its programme partners are ANO Dialog and the New Media Workshop.

Upon completing the programme, graduates will receive a certificate from the School, practical experience and their first media portfolio featuring their own texts, photographs and videos. The best work may be promoted through the resources of the project, its partners and the media. The most motivated participants will receive additional professional development opportunities, including participation in media projects, internships and special events, recommendations from the National Centre RUSSIA for university admission and referrals to major media projects. The Young Journalists School gives teenagers not only valuable skills, but also an opportunity to meet like-minded people, discover their own voice, learn to speak about important issues and take their first confident step towards a future career.