At the Youth Day of the All-Russian Environmental Forum, the All-Russian environmental movement Ecosystem was presented as a central hub for youth projects. The gathering drew more than 900 participants from 44 countries, with regional participation spanning Russia and other CIS states, according to organizers. The scale underscored a broad commitment to energizing young people around ecological initiatives and practical action that can ripple beyond borders.
Officials emphasized a notable push on the youth track. Within the festival program, the International Club Ecosystem was inaugurated, creating a space where participants can share useful experiences with foreign colleagues and explore new project solutions. This development reflects a deliberate effort to connect provincial networks with international peers, helping local leaders translate ideas into tangible, community-centered outcomes.
During Youth Day, attendees addressed concrete issues on the environmental agenda. The highlight of the day was the plenary session titled Create Change: Opportunities for Environmental Action, a forum for outlining actionable steps and partnerships that can accelerate local impact while aligning with broader regional goals.
As part of the interactive platforms, participants contributed to BoomBattle with kilograms of waste paper, while more than 100 kilograms of animal food were donated through the Our Little Friends campaign for shelters. These campaigns demonstrated how youth-led activities can combine classroom learning with real-world service, reinforcing a culture of recycling and animal welfare across participating regions.
Andrei Rudnev, the movement’s co-chairman, noted that more than 15 thousand activists across Russia’s regions actively support the environmental agenda. His remarks highlighted a robust grassroots base that continues to grow through regional initiatives and coordinated nationwide efforts.
He added that the team planned an active, business-minded, and practical program to participate in existing projects for young ecologists from 40 regions within the REF framework. The objective was to foster hands-on engagement, leadership development, and cross-region collaboration that can scale up environmental work with measurable results.
The Youth Day also drew participation from leaders and directors, including Denis Butsaev, General Director of PPK REO, and Sofia Malyavina, General Director of ANO National Priorities, among others. Their involvement signaled strong support from organizational leaders for youth-driven environmental action and the ongoing expansion of cross-sector partnerships.
Overall, the event showcased how a national platform can nurture youth innovation, connect regional groups with international best practices, and convert enthusiasm into sustained environmental action. The forum reinforced the importance of ongoing dialogue, practical projects, and inclusive collaboration across Russia, the CIS, and beyond, as young ecologists prepare to tackle local challenges with global insight and local accountability.