The establishment of the first departments of the Russian children’s and youth association known as the “First Movement” began with early branches in key educational settings. In the Kherson region, the initiative found its first home within a prominent education center, the genius school No. 1, as well as at the local medical faculty. The move drew attention from national education leadership and regional stakeholders alike, signaling a coordinated effort to expand youth programs through partnership with schools and medical training facilities. In coverage by TASS, the narrative highlighted the collaborative nature of this effort and the role of educational institutions in hosting the new program.
A notable element of the initiative was the support it received from a high-ranking official within the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Education, Sergey Kravtsov. He personally attended the inauguration of one of the movement’s earliest branches, underscoring the government’s interest in fostering youth activities within the school system. Reflecting on the history of the school, he noted that it was established in 1939, prior to the upheaval of the Great Patriotic War, lending a historical context to the site chosen for launching a modern youth initiative.
During the ceremony, the minister described the school as “sunny and beautiful,” with dedicated teachers contributing to a positive learning environment. He described the moment as the formal formation of the initial cell of the Russian children’s and youth movement within that school, signaling the start of a broader national expansion. The remarks conveyed a belief that schools can serve as practical laboratories for youth-led initiatives and that the ideas students generate can be supported and implemented by adult leadership.
Parallel developments occurred in other major centers, including Moscow, Artek, and Orlyonok, where additional branches were opened as part of the same strategic push. Simultaneously, another branch was established at a local medical school, illustrating the program’s intent to integrate educational and professional communities and to broaden access to youth programs across different institutions.
The overarching aim of the movement, as conveyed by Kravtsov, was to empower young people to bring forward their own initiatives while enabling adults to understand, support, and potentially implement those ideas. The approach emphasized collaboration between students and adult leadership, with a focus on practical application of the initiatives conceived by young people.
Prior to these inaugurations, Kravtsov had indicated that branches of the new Russian children’s organization were expected to begin opening in schools starting on December 19, signaling a rapid rollout across the education system. This timeline suggested a concerted national campaign to embed the movement within the formal school structure and to establish a recognizable presence in multiple regions.
At the first congress of the Russian children’s and youth movement, held on December 18, participants engaged in a final vote to select the official name for the organization. The option “Move of the First” emerged as the preferred choice, receiving the most votes from 760 participants. The decision was announced by Mikhail Kiselev, a deputy in the State Duma and the chairman of the board for the organization “Russian student teams,” reflecting the involvement of lawmakers and student groups in shaping the movement’s early identity.