Special Forces Veteran: "The 'Heroes. Nizhny Novgorod Region' program provides an opportunity to be useful not only on the battlefield."

      The "Heroes of Nizhny Novgorod Region" program provides an opportunity to be useful not only on the battlefield but also to develop oneself in order to protect citizens' interests in the future," said the veteran of the Special Military Operation (SMO), participant of the program Ivan G. In his opinion, the "Heroes of Nizhny Novgorod Region" program is important both for the region and for the entire country. "It allows integrating worthy and reliable people into the system of state and municipal management, who have proven their love for the Motherland through words and actions and are always ready to defend it," emphasized Ivan. The serviceman admits that he is accustomed to setting high goals and achieving them. Therefore, he decided to participate in the program selection as soon as he learned about it. His family supported him. "My family believes that by participating in the program, I am doing everything correctly. I will do my best not to let my loved ones or our President—Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin—down during these difficult times for the country, especially when he took a crucial decision that allows people for whom love for the Motherland is the most important to demonstrate themselves in public service," says the program participant. In the SMO zone, Ivan was involved in evacuating the wounded, he knows how to take responsibility and work in a team. Over the next two years, the program participant would like to develop project management and resource management skills, and after completing the training, help people who contact the authorities. "The program involves close interaction with experienced mentors and team work with other participants. Undoubtedly, this is the best opportunity to acquire knowledge and practical skills for implementing large projects in the future. I am confident we will handle all tasks and work for the benefit of the state," Ivan notes. On April 2, the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin, presented the rector of RANEPA, Aleksey Komissarov, with the results of registration for the "Heroes of Nizhny Novgorod Region" program. The program aims to integrate and employ participants and veterans of the special military operation into the system of state management. In March, an agreement was signed between the government of Nizhny Novgorod Region, RANEPA, and KUPNO on cooperation for implementing this program. Registration for participation in the "Heroes of Nizhny Novgorod Region" program closed on March 31. The registration results were summarized at a meeting of the public council of the program chaired by the Deputy Governor of Nizhny Novgorod Region, Andrey Gneushev. During the selection campaign, 1,613 applications were received from Nizhny Novgorod residents. Of these, 60 percent of the registrants during the selection period participated in combat operations and were in the SMO zone. The remaining 40% had finished their service in the Russian Armed Forces, and from among them, the finalists of the program were chosen. The next stage of the program selection was remote testing of participants on the platform of the ANO "Russia – Land of Opportunities." Based on the test results and the assessment of questionnaires, the public council of the "Heroes of Nizhny Novgorod Region" program selected 239 individuals in May, who demonstrated high results and were allowed to proceed to the next stage—online interviews. For those participants who did not join the main educational program, it was decided to launch a remote educational course that will provide the necessary knowledge and skills for further professional development in civilian life. Currently, 62 people are undergoing this course. Based on the total scores from questionnaire responses, testing, online interviews, and face-to-face interviews with Deputy Governor Andrey Gneushev, 60 participants were selected for the core educational program and 30 for inclusion in the next wave of the program upon returning to the region.