Nizhny Novgorod region has become one of the leaders in the number of winners of the grant competition of the Movement of the First.

      On April 7, 2026, 11:02 Society The Movement of the Firsts summarized the results of the 2026 grant competition. A total of 496 projects from 76 regions of Russia were declared winners. Nizhny Novgorod region ranked in the Top 3 for the number of grant recipient applications: 22 regional initiatives will receive financial support totaling 41.8 million rubles. These funds will be directed towards the implementation of socially significant projects for children and youth: festivals, gatherings, educational programs, creative workshops, and sports events.

      "It is especially valuable that the geography of the winners covers the entire region — from the regional center to municipal districts, and among the project authors are schools, universities, museums, and NGOs. In the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia, our young people proposed projects that unite the cultures of our country. The results of the 2026 grant competition demonstrate the high engagement of the Nizhny Novgorod community in project activities. We see a strong demand from youth for tourism, sports, career guidance, and the preservation of traditions. 41.8 million rubles — into the piggy bank of children's dreams and useful deeds, where behind each stands a sincere desire to change the world for the better," noted the Minister of Youth Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Svetlana Anufrieva.

      The winners of the Movement of the Firsts grant competition included representatives from various organizations: schools and colleges, higher educational institutions, additional education institutions, museums, cultural and creative houses, non-profit organizations, youth centers, public associations, and others. The projects presented by them will be implemented in the region in 2026.

      For example, the traditional KVN junior league festival "Nizhny Novgorod" from the public organization "Union of KVN of the Nizhny Novgorod Region" received support of 7.7 million rubles. Another significant project was the historical-patriotic exhibition "Nizhny Novgorod 1896" from the ANO "Center for the Development and Support of Cultural, Creative, Tourist, Sports, Environmental, Patriotic, and Social Projects 'Favorite Business'," for which 7.2 million rubles will be allocated.

      It is important to note that the Balakhna municipal district became the leader in the number of supported initiatives in the region: six projects from the district received funding totaling 5.6 million rubles.

      "The Firsts grants are an excellent opportunity to promote the development of the Movement of the Firsts as a whole through project and educational initiatives. We are proud that for the third year, the Nizhny Novgorod region has been in the TOP regions by the number of winners. It should also be noted that the themes of the winning projects are quite diverse: tourism, fidgetal sports, communication development among children and teenagers, introduction to the traditions and culture of the region, development of the KVN movement, festivals, fairs, career guidance tracks, local history and studying the history of the native land, media... We are confident that the implementation of the 2026 projects will be successful, effective, and beneficial for both adults and children," emphasized the chairman of the Council of the regional branch of the Movement of the Firsts in the Nizhny Novgorod region, Vyacheslav Amosov.

      Among the thematic areas, projects in the field of tourism received the most support — 4 initiatives. The "Sports" and "Healthy Lifestyle" categories combined 5 projects, while in the "Labor, Profession, and Own Business" category, 3 projects emerged as winners.

      Particular attention in 2026 is given to projects reflecting the key theme of the year — the unity of the peoples of Russia. Among them are "Firsts in Unity" from Uren Secondary School No. 1, the festival "Unity of the Peoples of Russia" from School No. 88 "Novinskaya" in the Prioksky District of Nizhny Novgorod. Many initiatives are aimed at strengthening intercultural dialogue, developing civic responsibility, preserving traditions, and creating a space for communication, cooperation, and joint creativity among children and youth from different regions of the country.

      Thus, the grant competition of the Movement of the Firsts continues to support proactive young people, helping them turn ideas into socially significant projects that make the lives of children and youth brighter, more interesting, and richer.

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