International Festival of Youth — 2026 — Forum / Summit

The International Festival of Youth — 2026 is an in-person forum and cultural exchange in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Operated by the World Youth Festival Directorate, it brings together up to 10,000 participants for programs spanning public affairs, media, education, entrepreneurship, technology, creative fields, civic engagement, sports and health.

The 2026 participant selection is closed. Official material says international youth festival events are held annually, but the next opening date has not been announced.

Benefits & funding

All accredited participants receive shared accommodation, meals and transfers during the event.
Foreign participants aged 14–17 receive organizer-funded round-trip travel.
Foreign participants aged 18–35 with the highest selection scores may receive organizer-funded round-trip travel; other selected adults must fund travel themselves or through a sending organization.
Selected regional expedition participants receive travel, meals and accommodation for that additional program.

Eligibility

Applicants may be from any country.
Applicants must be aged 14–35 under the official date-specific age rules for the 2026 event.
No degree requirement is stated.
Applicants must have at least B1 English proficiency.
Selection is competitive and based on the required essay and self-introduction video.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Age requirement
14–35 yrs

Check my eligibility — free

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Application process

1
Register on the official platform and create a personal account.
2
Choose a program track and complete the required application information and essay.
3
Upload the required self-introduction video before the applicable stage closes.
4
Wait for the result by email and, if selected, confirm participation in the personal account within 48 hours.

Program timeline

Participant registration opened.
Feb 5, 2026
Main registration and competitive-task stage closed.
Apr 30, 2026
Additional reserve registration and task stage closed.
May 31, 2026
First selection results announced.
After Jun 22, 2026
Festival starts.
Sep 11, 2026
Festival ends.
Sep 17, 2026