Promising youth-led projects from Bangladesh could receive support from Russian institutions, including possible funding, opening a new avenue for young Bangladeshis seeking international backing for social and development initiatives.
Konstantin Kolpakov, chairman of the Council of Young Diplomats of Russia, made the offer during the International Youth Festival 2026 in Yekaterinburg, which brought together around 10,000 young people, experts, entrepreneurs, researchers and media professionals from 191 countries.
Bangladesh was represented by a 70-member youth delegation alongside four media professionals at the September 11-17 festival.
Kolpakov said Bangladeshi initiatives benefiting society or addressing social problems could be submitted for consideration, depending on the nature of the project and available resources.
Even projects at an early stage could be discussed, he said, adding that interested Bangladeshis could pursue opportunities through the Russian House in Dhaka.
“Please, come to Russia. Fulfil your dreams with Russia. We are waiting for the people of Bangladesh,” he said, describing Bangladesh as a friendly country and calling for stronger people-to-people relations.
The festival, held under the theme “Follow Your Dream,” featured workshops, seminars, exhibitions, cultural programs, sports and networking sessions.
Education was another area highlighted during the gathering.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said Russia aims to host at least 500,000 international students by 2030, while a planned university campus network is expected to include 40 campuses by 2036.
For Bangladeshi participants, the festival offered opportunities to explore education, research, entrepreneurship and international collaboration.
Jannatul Mawa, an official of ZNRF University, said the program provided hands-on learning, workshops and opportunities to exchange ideas with participants from other countries.
She encouraged Bangladeshi youth to use such platforms to explore solutions to challenges at home.
Sifat Islam from RUDN University said contacts established with participants from different countries could prove valuable for future education and career opportunities.
Bangladeshi bicycle stunt rider and sports content creator Abdur Rahim said interactions with athletes from different countries allowed him to exchange experiences that he plans to share with athletes at home.
The festival concluded with a ceremony attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasised direct contact among young people from different cultures and countries.
Lavrov said such exchanges could help participants build friendships, overcome stereotypes and explore cooperation in science, technology and other fields.
For the Bangladeshi delegation, however, the potential impact could extend beyond the six-day gathering.
The possibility of taking youth-led initiatives forward through Russian institutions provides participants with a potential route to turn contacts and ideas developed in Yekaterinburg into future projects.