The global youth economy is taking shape as 10,000 young leaders from 191 countries converge in Yekaterinburg, Russia, bringing together emerging entrepreneurs, creatives, technology enthusiasts, media professionals and other young talents from across the world.
The International Youth Festival 2026, which runs from September 11 to 17, is positioning youth participation beyond cultural exchange, with entrepreneurship, creative industries, digitalisation, information technology, science, education and public administration forming part of the programme.
The scale of participation reflects the growing importance of young people as contributors to economic and social development, while creating opportunities for international networking, knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Of the 10,000 participants, 5,000 are from Russia and another 5,000 are international participants representing 191 countries. A separate children’s programme has also brought together young people from 10 countries, with participants taking part in activities designed to expose them to different sectors and areas of professional development.
At the heart of the children’s programme are 17 interactive laboratories covering seven areas, including science and education, sports, creative industries, media, IT, entrepreneurship and public administration.
The programme allows participants to explore different professional roles, from journalists and researchers to entrepreneurs and digital developers, reflecting the increasing overlap between technology, creativity and business in the global economy.
The festival’s organisers are also emphasising practical projects. A Festival of Projects will showcase 60 initiatives developed by young participants in collaboration with experts from leading Russian companies.
The projects provide a platform for young people to move beyond discussion and develop ideas with potential applications in business, technology and society.
The international nature of the gathering is also creating an environment for young people to establish relationships across borders.
Participants from countries including Brazil, India, China, Morocco, Nepal, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are among those taking part in the children’s programme, while the wider festival has attracted participants from countries spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific.
Artur Orlov, Hero of Russia and Chairman of the Board of the Movement of Firsts, said, “The programme creates a space for international youth to hear each other, discover modern Russia, work on projects, make friends; live communication builds trust.”
The emphasis on entrepreneurship and collaboration comes as young people increasingly navigate an economy shaped by digital technology, international markets and new forms of creative work.
For businesses and institutions, platforms that connect emerging talent across countries can also provide access to new ideas, skills and potential partnerships.
The festival’s focus on media and digitalisation further reflects how technology is becoming embedded in the way young people create, communicate and participate in economic activity.
Ksenia Zayats, a participant from Belarus who previously attended the World Youth Festival in 2024, said she was looking forward to building new contacts and gaining ideas, particularly around international journalism and media.
The International Youth Festival follows the 2024 World Youth Festival in Sirius, which brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries. The annual events are intended to preserve and develop the legacy of that gathering.
With its 2026 edition bringing together thousands of young people across industries and nationalities, the festival is increasingly presenting youth engagement as more than a social or cultural exercise, but as a platform where skills, ideas, entrepreneurship and international networks can shape the next generation of economic opportunities.
