The "GosStart" forum gathered 1,000 young managers in Nizhny Novgorod.

      14 November 2025 15:22 Society. The IV All‑Russian forum "GosStart" (12+) began its work on 11 November in Nizhny Novgorod. One thousand young people from 80 regions of Russia came to the forum. "GosStart" brought together representatives of federal, regional and municipal authorities, young political activists and students of relevant fields.

      The "GosStart" project originated in the Nizhny Novgorod region, was supported by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and over several years turned into a well‑known all‑Russian project that forms a new generation of managers.

      The "GosStart" Training Center for State and Municipal Employees prepared a program of six tracks for participants: "Personnel Search", "Attracting Personnel", "Personnel Adaptation", "Human Resource Management in State Structures", "Time for Our Own", "GosStart.Children". Participants will meet popular speakers and exchange experiences in interactive sessions and master classes.

      Greeting those gathered at the forum, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin noted its important role in strengthening Russian statehood: "The forum sets a new vector for the development of the entire system of public administration, helping talented and purposeful people unite efforts and realize their potential," he said.

      The "GosStart" forum has become another prominent nationwide educational project. Assessing this, we asked experts to answer the questions: "What is the mission of 'GosStart' and why are this and other educational projects implemented in Russia outside the higher education system?"

      Andrey Samsonov, research fellow at the Volga Branch of the Federal Scientific Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FNISC RAS), senior research fellow at ANO "Research Institute for Social Governance Problems":

      "The logic behind the emergence of professional training programs outside the higher education system is quite simple and clear. The advantage and at the same time the drawback of any system, including higher education, is its universality and theoretical orientation. 'GosStart' unites those who have already made a conscious choice in favor of public service and are ready to purposefully absorb not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. It is precisely the latter that active politicians and managers — who are either absent or in short supply at universities (and are unlikely to be otherwise, since these are completely different spheres of activity) — can share. They do not convey management theory but personally developed managerial practices and skills, demonstrate methods for solving current problems that regularly arise in everyday life."

      Elena Mozgunova, historian, PhD in Political Science, associate professor at the Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Management — a branch of RANEPA:

      "'GosStart' has become an all‑Russian project whose main task is to prepare a professional managerial team for the country, taking into account the current demands of the time. In a broad sense, the goal is the strengthening of Russian statehood. The variety of tracks indicates the scope and understanding of the specifics of each direction, and the forum's mission is not only training but also the integration of specialists into the system of authorities at all levels: after all, the effectiveness of solving state tasks in the face of external challenges and a rapidly changing world largely depends on the coordinated, professional work of a team. Obviously, in addition to developing basic competencies, 'GosStart' emphasizes the formation of soft skills: leadership qualities, responsibility in decision‑making, and coordinated teamwork."

      Boris Korsunsky, CEO of the Artefact group of companies, member of the Public Chamber of the Chuvash Republic, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Chuvash Republic, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Culture of the Chuvash Republic, co‑chairman of the regional branch of the public organization "Business Russia":

      "The 'GosStart' forum represents an important step in forming a new generation of managers capable of working effectively in state structures. Its mission is to create a platform for exchanging experience and knowledge between young activists and representatives of the authorities, which contributes to the development of the skills necessary for successful management. Educational projects like 'GosStart' are implemented outside the higher education framework because they offer practical training and up‑to‑date knowledge that are often lacking in traditional educational institutions. This allows young people not only to gain a theoretical foundation but also to develop practical skills required to work in the conditions of modern public administration. It is important that such initiatives contribute to strengthening the state system and involving youth in active participation in public life."

      Andrey Chugunov, journalist:

      "Judging by the titles of the tracks at the IV All‑Russian forum 'GosStart', the event is devoted exclusively to personnel issues, namely: the search for, adaptation of, and attraction of youth to bureaucratic work in modern conditions. Moreover, as statistics show, young people are now more interested in IT, digital professions, and creative fields. Young people value work–life balance and opportunities for self‑realization. A high salary remains an important factor, but increasingly they pay attention to the meaning of work and working conditions. So, the emergence and success of the 'GosStart' program and similar regional initiatives is not at all surprising."

      Andrey Dakhin, D.Sc., professor at the Nizhny Novgorod Institute of Management — a branch of RANEPA:

      "The IV All‑Russian forum 'GosStart' in Nizhny Novgorod is an annual platform for businesslike developmental communication. It is gaining wide recognition in Russia largely because participants in the exchange of knowledge and experience include not only young people but also representatives of federal, regional and municipal authorities, socio‑political movements, representatives of socially oriented NGOs, and other honored guests. The forum creates a unique environment of new opportunities for an active young citizen of Russia who understands the high importance of the tradition of Russian statehood, is inclined to participate in the activities of the state, to improve it, and to defend it. New opportunities for self‑development are presented, in particular, through six mentoring tracks: 'Personnel Search', 'Attracting Personnel', 'Personnel Adaptation', 'Human Resource Management in State Structures', 'Time for Our Own', 'GosStart.Children'."

      The material was prepared as part of a joint project between NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" and the federal "Expert Club".

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