World Youth Festival Directorate

Accreditation of Foreign Journalists and Bloggers for the International Festival of Youth – 2026 Ongoing 🖥From September 11 to 17, Ekaterinburg will become the city of the world's youth. This large-scale event will bring together 10 000 young leaders from 190 countries — professionals who have already made achievements and proven their expertise in science, education, media, public administration, entrepreneurship, and other fields — to exchange experience, address global challenges, and shape a shared vision of the future. The festival program will feature media figures, as well as leading Russian and international experts.➡️ You can submit your application until July 17, 2026, via the International Platform of Opportunities.Accreditation grants access to all official event venues. An International Media Center will be set up for media representatives, offering workspaces and a lounge area, as well as spaces for press briefings, daily briefings, and exclusive interviews.✈️ Foreign media representatives will also be provided with transfer to Ekaterinburg and accommodation services at the city's hotels.Foreign journalists without accreditation from the Russian Foreign Ministry must attach the following to their application:🔹 an editorial assignment;🔹 a media outlet certificate;🔸 a brief biography (CV);🔺 a personal photo;🔹 a copy of a valid press card. Instructions for any accreditation-related questions, please contact:📧 press@wyffest.com

Still refreshing your inbox? ⌛While you wait for the IFY–2026 results, let’s see what the universe has planned.Press play, pause the video, and reveal your prediction.💚 Tell us what you got!

Greetings from Tskhinval! ❤️Artem Fomin, First Deputy Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, visited South Ossetia on a working trip.Together with Alan Tibilov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of South Ossetia, he met with student leaders at South Ossetian State University and held a press conference at Sputnik South Ossetia.Here are the key outcomes:🔵 Around 130 young people from South Ossetia will take part in the International Festival of Youth 2026.🟢 WYFD is committed to expanding opportunities for South Ossetian youth to participate in international projects.🟣 During the Festival in Ekaterinburg, WYFD and South Ossetia will sign a cooperation agreement.The visit also opened the door to new joint initiatives and preparations for this year’s biggest international youth event 🟢

We know how eagerly you’re waiting for that one email! 💌Honestly, we’d be refreshing our inbox every five minutes too…🟢 The review of applications from 100 000 people from all around the world is still ongoing!But while you wait, we want to say this: you’ve already done the most important thing — you believed in yourself and decided to apply. Each of you is incredible, and each of you deserves to be part of the IFY–2026!So we’re holding our breath and waiting together with you for those “lucky emails” that are almost in your hands! Sending you a hug! ⭐️

Hi! Cheburashka has a little challenge for you 👋Can you solve the puzzle and uncover one of the IFY–2026 mysteries?⭐️ And if this post reaches 400 reactions, Cheburashka might just reveal another secret…

One light can inspire thousands 💡To celebrate Youth Day, people across Russia and around the world joined our Light of the IFY flash mob, lighting up the night with their phone flashlights. 🟢 Different countries, different cities, one shared dream.Watch the video and feel the spirit that will bring 10 000 young leaders from 190 countries together at the International Festival of Youth 2026 in just a few months ❤️

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This is what real international friendship looks like 🩷Activists from the International Content Center coming from Ghana, Algeria, Canada and France are saying hello to you in their native languages 🌐And then comes everything we love about Eurasia Global: laughter, dancing, new friends, inspiration, and moments you never want to forget.Hit play, feel the atmosphere… and see you at the International Festival of Youth 2026 🟢

Cheburashka has arrived in Smolensk, Russia’s Youth Capital 💐Today, Russia celebrates Youth Day — a celebration of young people who are shaping the country’s future.🟢 Across Russia, millions of young people have opportunities to grow through grants, forums, internships, and educational programs that help turn ideas into real projects.🌍 And this autumn, 10 000 young leaders from 190 countries will come together in Ekaterinburg for the International Festival of Youth 2026.As the Festival’s slogan says: “Follow Your Dream” Happy Youth Day! 🎉

Elbrus conquered! 🇷🇺🇮🇹WYFD activist and Italian journalist Velimir Tomovic climbed Europe's highest peak – 5 642 meters – in the name of Russian-Italian friendship!Watch the video to see how he did it. And drop your support in the comments! 🩷

😫 When will the results be out?Dear friends, don’t worry — we see all your comments and messages!🩷 We’ve received 100 000 applications, each with inspiring stories, ideas, and projects. Very soon, the first 10 000 participants will receive the news they’ve been waiting for: the International Festival of Youth 2026 selection results.How will you know?💌 You’ll receive an email, and your status will be updated in your account on the International Platform of Opportunities.A little more patience — good news is on the way! 💚

Factories, traditions, local stories — all in one journey! 🌏Participants and content creators from the International Content Center went to a media expedition and explored the industry, culture, and traditions of the Orenburg Region, from modern manufacturing to Cossack heritage.🤝 They also discovered ideas and best practices that can be adapted for the work of the International Clubs of Friendship.Their journey included more than 20 locations, including the Krasnogorsky Dairy Plant, the Chernomyrdin Museum, the Cossack Farmstead Ethno Complex, Technoprom, and the Orenburg Shawl Makers project.🔥The Forum continues — stay tuned for updates from the educational program!

One step at a time, closer to the goal! 🔥🟢 Our World Youth Festival Directorate project participant, Velimir Tomović, continues his ascent of Mount Elbrus.He has already completed most of the route, successfully passed acclimatization, and is now preparing for the final push.What did our friend from Italy have to overcome, and what impressed him the most?Watch the report from the route and get inspired — these views are truly worth dreaming for!

🍨 How about an ice cream cone?Participants and content creators of Eurasia Global set off on their first media expedition!Their destination? The Orenburg Ice Cream Factory.They went behind the scenes to see how local ice cream is made and, of course, got to taste it themselves!💐 A little sweet energy — and they’re ready to conquer new heights.

⚡️ The 11th Eurasia Global Forum has kicked off in Orenburg!This year, the Forum has brought together 160 participants from 59 regions of Russia and 24 countries.Among them are leaders and coordinators of the International Friendship Clubs, as well as guests from India, Iran, China, Cuba, Uzbekistan, South Africa, and many other countries.🟩 Evgeny Solntsev, Governor of the Orenburg Region, wished everyone five productive days filled with discussions, workshops, and creative laboratories.During the Forum, participants will work on developing support networks, motivation systems, and roadmaps for the future development of the IFCs.The goal is for everyone to leave with practical tools and new ideas to strengthen their clubs back home.▶️ And judging by the video, the energy is already incredible!The Eurasia Global Forum is organized by the Government of the Orenburg Region and the World Youth Festival Directorate, with the support of Rosmolodezh.