ASU News

The seventh season of the All-Russian "Big Change" competition stands as the largest youth project in the country, engaging children and adolescents nationwide. As the flagship initiative of the Movement of the First, the "Big Change" competition is held with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia. 

Since 2025, "Big Change" has been integrated into the national "Youth and Children" project and is a key component of the presidential platform "Russia – Land of Opportunity." 

Registration is open until May 30 for schoolchildren in grades 1-7 and students abroad; until June 14 for teams from educational institutions; and until June 19 for high school students and students of secondary vocational schools. All applications are accepted through the official platform.

Participants can choose to engage in one of 12 thematic areas: Science and Technology, Art and Creativity, Journalism and New Media, Volunteering, Historical Memory, Healthy Lifestyle, Ecology, Urban Studies, Travel and Tourism, Development of Educational Technologies, Youth Entrepreneurship, and National Defense and Security.

Children in grades 1–4 will complete all "Big Change" competition tasks collaboratively with their parents, grandparents, and adult siblings. The process includes an online introductory session, a development marathon, and an online interview. The in-person final for younger participants is scheduled to take place in December 2026 in Moscow, prior to the New Year. Winners of the competition may be invited on a family trip.

Students in grades 5–7 will participate in the "Big Change" competition, which comprises a remote stage, an online interview, and an in-person final. Participants will have the opportunity to take assessments to explore their personality traits, erudition, and logical reasoning. Additionally, they can share their interests, hobbies, and project ideas. The final stage for students in grades 5–7 is traditionally held in July at the Artek International Children's Center. The winners will have the chance to embark on a unique educational "Dream Journey" by train across Russia.

Mentor teachers who have trained the winners among students in grades 5–7 will receive a prize of 100,000 rubles and will be offered the opportunity to participate in an educational program provided by Bolshaya Peremena partners.

Participants in grades 8-10, as well as college and technical school students, will have the opportunity to engage in the upcoming season both individually and as part of a team. During the remote phase, participants will complete assessments to identify their strengths, career interests, and intelligence types. They will also prepare a video profile, compose an essay, and discuss their volunteer activities. Additionally, participants will receive training in information security and financial literacy.

Special accommodations and a supportive environment will be provided for children with disabilities and those facing challenging life circumstances. Particular emphasis will be placed on activities that benefit their communities, regions, and the country as a whole. In preparation for the semifinals, a new assignment will be introduced for senior participants: engaging in volunteer work within their region.

During the in-person stages, participants will take part in regional, rewarding programs that present real-world challenges and offer opportunities to contribute to regional and national development.

The finals for students in grades 8-10 are scheduled to be held this fall at the Artek International Children's Center, while the finals for students in secondary vocational education will take place in Nizhny Novgorod. Winners will be awarded up to 1 million rubles for tuition or project funding, along with additional points toward university admission. Mentor teachers of the "Big Change" winners will receive cash prizes ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 rubles.

Teams from educational organizations that include at least one participant in the competition—specifically students in grades 5-7, grades 8-10, secondary vocational education students, or participants in the "Orlyata Rossii" (Eaglets of Russia) program—are eligible to take part in "Big Change." Each team comprises one educator and four students from the same school, college, or supplementary education organization. The teams are tasked with developing project ideas aimed at enhancing the educational environment and infrastructure, fostering the development of children and adolescents' skills and talents.

Following the remote stage, the top 200 educational organizations with the highest ratings will be selected to participate in the finals, which will be held in person. Among these, the 50 best organizations will be designated as winners. Each winning team will receive a prize of 2 million rubles to implement their proposed project at the "Big Change" event.

Beginning with the third season, high school students from abroad are also eligible to participate in "Big Change." They will complete remote assignments and tests, with the finals held at the Artek International Children's Center. Winners in this category will be granted the opportunity to pursue studies at Russia’s top universities on a state-funded basis.

"Big Change" is the largest competition for children and teenagers in Russia. Over six seasons, more than 7 million participants have taken part in the project.

The program's key partners include Russian Railways, Rosatom State Corporation, Sberbank, VK, and Roscosmos State Corporation.

The official website of the competition: https://болшаяперемена.онлайн/

VKontakte community: https://vk.com/bpcontest

Telegram channel:  https://t.me/peremenacontest