At the National Centre RUSSIA, a new season of the "My Country — My Russia" contest was presented
On March 4, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the presentation of the new season of the All-Russian Competition "My Country – My Russia," a project of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity." In 2025, the competition marks its 22nd anniversary, having built a community of over a million engaged individuals over the years.
"My Country – My Russia" is a competition for original projects and initiatives aimed at the socio-economic development of Russian regions, cities, and villages. Applications are open until May 11. The final events will take place on June 21 as part of the Youth Day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"For six years of joint work, the 'My Country – My Russia' competition of the presidential platform 'Russia – Land of Opportunity' has united more than 400,000 participants from all regions of our country. For many people across Russia, it has become an inner need to transform life around them — doing something for their neighbors and fellow countrymen. The 'My Country – My Russia' competition is a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of one's homeland," said Andrei Betin, Director General of ANO "Russia – Land of Opportunity" and Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop.
Among the participants are young people and engaged citizens who want to contribute to the development of their homeland and the entire country. The guests of the event were addressed by the Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA, Natalia Virtuozova.
"I am pleased to welcome you to the National Centre RUSSIA, which was established by order of the President. It is wonderful that our venue is becoming an open platform for dialogue among all those who live in our country. Congratulations on the new season of the 'My Country – My Russia' competition. It is hard to believe that it is being held for the 22nd time. The competition has lasted so long, which proves that it is truly beneficial for our country. It is extremely important when people themselves create something for their homeland — from small initiatives to large-scale projects. It is precisely such engaged individuals like you who make life in Russia’s regions better," said Natalia Virtuozova.
The organizers have defined two main competition categories: one for participants aged 14 to 17 and another for those aged 18 to 35. Additionally, there are two special categories. The children's category, "Threads of My Ancestry," is designed for participants under 13. Meanwhile, the categories "My Pedagogical Initiative" and "My Family: Continuity, Values, and Meanings" have no age restrictions.
"The sense of belonging to the fate of the Motherland is the foundation on which the harmonious development of both the Individual and the Citizen is built. Through labor, both great and small deeds, we express our attitude toward our loved ones and our country; through them, we create our present and shape our future. For six years, the competition has been successfully implemented in close partnership with the presidential platform 'Russia – Land of Opportunity,' and all these years, our participants have proven this idea through their actions. Join the new season, find inspiration, and create," said Larisa Pastukhova, Scientific Director of the All-Russian Competition "My Country – My Russia," Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education.
Authors of the best ideas receive support every year, including educational grants, benefits for university admission, internships, and job offers. For many participants, the competition has become a functioning system of social lifts and the first step in building a career.
A total of 14 nominations are available. For example, within the nomination "My Family: Continuity, Values, and Meaning," projects and initiatives related to preserving historical memory and strengthening family values can be presented. The nomination "My Multinational Russia" is intended for projects and initiatives aimed at preserving cultural heritage, promoting native languages, and fostering cooperation among countries. Another nomination is "My Pride," and "My Small Homeland (My City, My Village)" is for projects and initiatives focused on transforming Russian municipalities. The nomination "My Pedagogical Initiative" is open for projects and initiatives aimed at developing preschool and general education systems, while "My Health" focuses on the development of activities in the field of physical culture and sports.
Within the "Ecology of My Country" category, initiatives and projects involving children's, youth, and community organizations, as well as volunteer movements, are considered. These projects focus on preserving the cleanliness of riverbanks, lakes, forests, recreational areas, and public green spaces in settlements, as well as the conservation and rational use of natural resources (water bodies, forest funds, specially protected natural areas), biodiversity, and the development of eco-tourism. Additionally, nominations such as "My Hospitable Russia," "Intellectual Property of My Country," "Digital Environment for Improving the Quality of Life of Citizens in Regions," "Big Technological Intelligence of My Country," "My Entrepreneurial Initiative. Creative Industries," and "Transport. Ways of Communication in My Country" are also available. There is also a special nomination called "Threads of My Ancestry," which invites children under the age of 13 with initiatives and projects aimed at strengthening these areas.
This year, for finalists in the primary age category – 18-35 years – an educational intensive on "Project Management and Regional Development" is planned at the Mashuk Knowledge Centre. For adolescents aged 14-17, training will be provided at the Interdisciplinary Project School "My Country – My Russia" at the All-Russian Children's Centre "Ocean."
In addition to the main finale for participants, a forum will be held for those who have made a strong impact in the "My Country. My History. My Victory" category. This forum will bring together active youth, historians, educators, representatives of public organizations, and government authorities to create new forms of historical education and stimulate interest in studying the past.
For participants in the "My Pedagogical Initiative" category, the continuation of the main competition will be the All-Russian Pedagogical Readings. These readings will serve as an open platform for professional civil dialogue among government authorities, expert, academic, and professional communities, as well as resourceful and proactive youth engaged in the socio-pedagogical field.
Event photobank
The integration of special military operation veterans into peaceful life and the interaction between regions and municipalities were discussed as part of the Forum "SMALL HOMELAND – THE STRENGTH OF RUSSIA".
The second All-Russian Municipal Forum "Small Homeland – the Strength of Russia" is taking place at the National Centre RUSSIA.
