The V Youth Digital Forum took place at the National Centre RUSSIA

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On April 2, the V Youth Digital Forum (Youth Russian Internet Governance Forum 2025) was held at the National Centre RUSSIA. It became a key platform for discussing digital transformation, Internet governance, and innovative technologies. The event brought together students, young professionals, and leading experts from the IT industry. VK served as the Forum's general sponsor, supporting initiatives aimed at developing digital technologies and Russia's Internet ecosystem.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko addressed the Forum participants with a welcome speech. He emphasized that it is the new generation of young talented professionals who will determine the future of the Internet. This, in turn, will contribute to achieving Russia's technological sovereignty — a goal set by President Vladimir Putin. 

More than 400 people attended the Forum in person, while thousands of viewers joined online. During the Forum's opening, the Award Ceremony of the Alliance for the Protection of Children in the Digital Environment — "For a Safe Digital Childhood" — took place. The award recognizes projects aimed at improving digital literacy and creating a safe online environment for children.

The sessions covered a wide range of topics: the digitalization of science, its prospects and challenges ("Much Data Ado About Nothing: Web and Science"); the role of the Internet in preserving traditions and shaping the modern cultural environment ("Back to the Roots: The Russian Digital Cultural Code"); the impact of the digital space on interpersonal relationships ("Loneliness in the Web: The New Generation and Socialization"); as well as the new wave of digital entrepreneurship and e-commerce ("Self-Starter: Low-Risk IT Entrepreneurship"). 

One of the Forum's key events was a master class by TASS, where young professionals learned about modern trends in digital media, the specifics of working with new content formats, and analytical tools in the media industry.

"Our Forum is part of the UN's digital cooperation ecosystem, which means that the topics we discuss today are closely aligned with issues that concern young people worldwide. As a technologically advanced country, Russia has digital solutions to share with like-minded partners. That is why, on June 5 – 6, Nizhny Novgorod will host the first-ever Global Digital Forum, bringing together hundreds of experts from around the world for an equitable dialogue about our shared digital future," said Vadim Glushchenko, Director of the Centre for Global IT Cooperation. 

As per tradition, the annual "Digitalization for Good" award was presented during the Forum by the Youth Digital Ombudsman and the Centre for Global IT Cooperation. The award aims to identify and support young individuals, including IT specialists, who have made outstanding contributions to protecting rights, clarifying responsibilities and digital citizenship, and enhancing digital literacy. 

At the closing ceremony, the Youth RIGF Award was presented for the best technological project or product created by young professionals aged 18 to 30. The winner received an opportunity to participate in a professional acceleration program at one of the international IT parks partnered with the Centre for Global IT Cooperation.The special Youth RIGF Award for the best youth technological project was granted to Alena Samsonova. She launched the Telegram channel "Techleaders.rf" to cover scientific and digital initiatives, transforming it from a news resource into a reputable IT media platform.

Both organizers and participants expressed their commitment to holding the Forum annually, providing young people with a platform for dialogue, discussing new ideas, and implementing projects that contribute to the development of the IT industry in Russia and worldwide.