From 17 to 21 September 2025, Nizhny Novgorod will host the World Youth Festival Assembly (WYF Assembly) — a major international event designed to unite young people from all over the world. Delegates will include activists, entrepreneurs, researchers, cultural creators, public administrators, and athletes. The Assembly’s format blends thematic tracks, expert sessions, creative workshops, and a regional hospitality programme.
For Europe, the WYF Assembly presents strategic opportunities. Young leaders from across the continent will have a platform to present initiatives, forge partnerships, and explore ideas aligned with global trends in digital innovation, environmental sustainability, public administration, and creative industries.
Attendees can participate in expert-led sessions, workshops, creative formats, “phygital” experiences, start-up pitch zones, and culture-oriented events. The Regional Hospitality Programme will allow international participants to visit multiple Russian regions, engage with local youth, and experience diverse traditions and perspectives.
Europe’s Regional Angle
Young people from different parts of Europe stand to benefit from participation in the Assembly. They can bring forward local issues and solutions, whether in municipal digital services, the green transition, youth entrepreneurship, or regional cultural development.
Projects may include: intelligent transport systems, air quality monitoring, renewable energy implementation, creative incubator spaces, and community-driven digital platforms. Engaging with the thematic tracks enables European youth to align their projects with global standards and gain visibility among international mentors and investors.
Benefits & Long-Term Impact
The WYF Assembly provides multiple benefits:
- Networking & Partnerships: building relationships with peers and mentors worldwide;
- Practical Exposure: pitching ideas in startup zones and gaining investment opportunities;
- Capacity Building: learning from experts in education, digitalization, and governance;
- Cultural Exchange: discovering new perspectives through the regional hospitality programme;
- Policy Dialogue: exchanging practices in public administration, civic engagement, and sustainable urban development.
For Europe’s regions, the Assembly is more than a forum: it is a chance to integrate local initiatives into international networks, access global knowledge, and bring back adaptable models. It also offers visibility for ambitious young people prepared to lead in innovation, culture, and sustainability.
Why It Matters
Many European regions face distinct challenges: digital divides between urban and rural areas, environmental concerns, or the need for stronger youth representation in decision-making. Participation in the WYF Assembly gives young Europeans exposure to global solutions and opportunities for collaboration.
The Assembly’s diverse agenda — from creative industries to IT and public administration — ensures that participants can find relevant formats to scale or adapt their projects. By comparing with regional leaders from other countries, European youth can adopt best practices that will strengthen both local communities and broader European development.
