The National Centre RUSSIA opens registration for the Young Journalists School

The official website of the National Centre RUSSIA has opened a contest-based selection for the Young Journalists School — a unique educational programme for talented young people. The training is aimed at preparing a new generation of journalists, bloggers, and media specialists. The programme will include theory and the fundamentals of journalism, content creation, meetings with opinion leaders, visits to the editorial offices of leading media outlets, as well as coverage of the work of the National Centre RUSSIA, classes at the #MediaHouse of the Movement of the First, and sessions at the venues of the project "Youth and Children in the Space of Opportunities", created to support teenagers’ professional orientation.

"The National Centre RUSSIA was established by Presidential Order as a space of pride, where the younger generation can dream, create, shape the future, and explore professions. We are launching the Young Journalists School for the first time together with the Movement of the First in order to help new stars light up. So that they learn even more about their homeland, love it, take pride in it, and learn to speak about their country in a way that inspires others. Here, young people will be able to gain theoretical knowledge and apply it in practice at the heart of events, as the country’s most vivid and large-scale events take place here," said the Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina.

The co-organiser of the programme is the Movement of the First, with ANO "Dialogue" and the New Media Workshop acting as programme partners.

The Supervisory Board of the Young Journalists School includes the Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for Public Projects of the Russian Federation, Alexei Zharich; Hero of Russia, participant in the presidential programme "Time of Heroes", Chair of the Board of the Movement of the First, Artur Orlov, as well as other well-known public and civic figures.

"The Young Journalists School, implemented on the basis of the Media House of the First together with the National Centre RUSSIA, is an important element in shaping a new media generation. Together with the project’s programme partners — ANO "Dialogue" and the New Media Workshop — at least 50 young people aged 12 to 17 will not only develop journalistic skills, but will also build critical thinking and learn to create patriotic content. The Media House of the First and the infrastructure of the National Centre RUSSIA create unique conditions in which participants gain real practical experience and become part of a unified federal media environment. It is important that the First participants receive practical support for developing their skills, including placements with major organisations," said Artur Orlov.

Children and teenagers aged 12–17 may apply for the programme. To do so, applicants must complete the application form on the website russia.ru by 10 February 2026 and complete the creative tasks — write an essay on one of the proposed topics and publish a short video self-presentation on social media.

The list of applicants advancing to the next stage will be published on the website on 18 February 2026. The selected participants will then take part in an interview at the National Centre RUSSIA or via video link, as well as write another essay.

The list of participants who successfully pass the contest-based selection is scheduled to be finalised on 25 February 2026, with on-site classes beginning on 1 March.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will receive a certificate of completion of the Young Journalists School (152 academic hours), their first professional portfolio featuring publications on media platforms, social media promotion, a recommendation from the National Centre RUSSIA and its partners for university admission, as well as referrals to major media projects.

Do not miss your chance. Submit your application and take the first step towards a career in media.