First Participants Selected for Russia’s International Youth Festival 2026

Organisers have announced the first batch of participants for the International Youth Festival (IYF) 2026, with the global event set to bring together 10,000 young leaders in Yekaterinburg, Russia, from September 11 to 17.

According to the World Youth Festival Directorate, more than 113,000 applications from 191 countries were received during the four-month application period, making this year’s festival one of the most competitive international youth events. Nearly 72,000 applications came from foreign participants, exceeding the number submitted by Russian applicants for the first time.

The organisers said 5,000 Russian and 5,000 international participants will be selected based on their professional achievements, leadership experience, completed projects and commitment to international cooperation. Applicants represented eight fields, including science and education, media, entrepreneurship, digital technology, public administration, culture, civic engagement, and sports.

“The key evaluation criteria are professional expertise, achievements, successful projects and motivation to develop international cooperation and intercultural exchange,” said Dmitry Ivanov, General Director of the World Youth Festival Directorate.

The selection process includes a written essay outlining applicants’ achievements and motivation, followed by a video presentation showcasing their leadership potential and community initiatives. Applications from Russian candidates are reviewed by regional competition commissions, while international submissions are evaluated with support from the Directorate’s overseas partner organisations.

The final selection is expected to conclude in early August. Organisers said the first 1,000 successful applicants have already received invitations, while the remaining notifications will be issued in phases.

The International Youth Festival is part of Russia’s broader youth cooperation initiative following the 2024 World Youth Festival, which brought together 20,000 participants from 190 countries.