The push to train municipal-level staff should follow the same blueprint used to build substitute training systems for regional and federal bodies. This stance was voiced by Sergey Kiriyenko, the First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, during the Municipal Dialogue marathon organized by the All-Russian Association for the Development of Local Self-Government, as reported by RIA Novosti. In other words, the leadership believes the municipal tier deserves a parallel investment in professional development that mirrors the centralized models already in place for higher levels of government.
He explained that just as the country is shaping a substitute education framework for regional and federal authorities, and just as a dedicated school to cultivate regional leaders is being established, the same comprehensive approach should be launched for training municipal personnel. The aim is to provide structured, scalable pathways for frontline civil servants who operate closest to residents, enabling them to deliver better services, implement policy more effectively, and respond to local needs with greater agility.
Kiriyenko highlighted the role of leading training centers in this effort. He noted that Mashuk Training Center, Senezh Management Workshop, and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) already supply a wide range of resources, facilities, and expertise that can underpin municipal-level education programs. Their existing programs can be expanded or adapted to address the specific challenges faced by municipalities, from budgeting and public procurement to community engagement and digital governance.
It is worth recalling that the Municipal Dialogue marathon seeks to strengthen the municipal community by creating a unified communication environment, fostering initiative, and developing universal solutions aimed at boosting the efficiency of local administration. The event brings together a broad national audience on a single platform, with participants from 89 federal subjects and more than 19,000 municipalities across the Russian Federation. The gathering serves as a catalyst for collaboration, sharing best practices, and aligning training and administrative reform efforts across diverse local contexts. Through this platform, municipal leaders and staff can exchange experiences, learn from one another, and build a cohesive ecosystem that supports transparent governance and responsive public service at the local level.