The strategic session of the expert council for the grant competition of the Movement of the First took place at the National Centre RUSSIA

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On December 7, the final strategic session of the expert council for the grant competition of the Movement of the First in 2024 was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. More than 100 participants from Moscow joined the educational and practical program, developing project evaluation skills and gaining unique knowledge for their future work.

"This year, 1,000 members of the expert council for the grant competition of the Movement of the First participated in training as part of the strategic sessions. For us, this is an effective format to provide the expert community with up-to-date knowledge in evaluating the quality of project and grant work. It is also an opportunity to create a communicative environment for carrying out educational activities across the entire territory of Russia," said Artur Orlov, Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First.

The expert council for the grant competition includes educators, vice-rectors and deans, associate professors, candidates of sciences, TV and radio hosts, staff of additional education centres, methodologists, tutors, counselors, mentors, heads of school sports clubs, Ministry of Internal Affairs employees, children's rights commissioners, and many others. They will evaluate submitted applications for the competition and recommend them for support in 2025 — 2026. The previous council consisted of 640 specialists from various fields across 73 regions of Russia and carried out its work in 2023 — 2024.

The cycle of strategic sessions for the expert council of the grant competition of the Movement of the First began on November 9 in Saint Petersburg. Over the course of a month, sessions were held in the Republic of Mordovia, the Senezh Management Workshop in the Moscow region, the Mashuk Knowledge Centre in the Stavropol region, and concluded with a final event in Moscow. From November 18 to November 30, 2024, online training for all 1,000 experts of the grant competition of the Movement of the First was conducted at the base of Mordovia State University named after N. P. Ogarev. More than 600 participants from all federal districts of Russia attended the in-person events. 

The goal of these sessions is to train the members of the expert council of the grant competition of the Movement of the First and to create a communicative environment for carrying out educational activities across Russia. Experts receive information about state support measures for events aimed at the education, development, and self-realization of children and youth, as well as the organization of their leisure. Additionally, they contribute to improving the mechanisms for organizing and conducting the evaluation of applications within the framework of the grant competition.

In the theoretical segment of the educational program, experts participated in team-building activities and gained deeper insights into the Movement of the First: its mission, values, directions, flagship projects, and educational initiatives.

The practical segment of the training focused on the criteria and technologies for evaluating applications, providing constructive feedback, and the ethics of being an expert in the grant competition of the Movement of the First. Experts attended a lecture on the ethics of expertise, a workshop on the art of public speaking, and a master class on using artificial intelligence in everyday life. 

"The grants of the Movement of the First aim to support initiatives that foster the development and socialization of children and youth. Even the smallest projects deserve attention because they truly change the lives of specific individuals. The expertise we gain through this process helps us identify and support meaningful ideas and provide consultative assistance to applicants in the grant competition. The Movement of the First enables children and young people to unlock their potential, explore various activities, and find their path to adulthood," said Anna Haustova, a participant in the session.

The grant competition of the Movement of the First provides financial support for project activities aimed at children and youth, including the organization and execution of contests, festivals, gatherings, and other events. All projects supported by the Movement align with its directions and values. Over the past two years, 8,261 applications have been submitted to the competition, out of which 1,183 project activities received grant support totaling 3.4 billion rubles and were implemented in all 89 regions of Russia. The new season of the competition is set to begin in early 2025.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.