Imagine standing in a room with 10,000 young leaders from 190 countries — scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, athletes — all under 35, all competing for the same stage. That's not a dream. That's Ekaterinburg, September 2026.

The Kementerian Pemuda dan Olahraga (Kemenpora) has officially invited Indonesian youth to join the International Festival of Youth 2026 (IFY 2026), held in Ekaterinburg, Russia, from 11 to 17 September 2026. The event is fully funded for selected participants — meaning accommodation, meals, and local transportation are covered — and registration is open now at wyffest.com.

What Is the Internasional Festival of Youth 2026 ?

The International Festival of Youth 2026 is a global youth summit hosted by Russia, designed as a platform for young people from around the world who are ready to take responsibility for the future of the planet. It builds on the legacy of the World Youth Festival held in Sirius in 2024, and aims to gather a new generation of young leaders to engage in dialogue, build networks, and share experiences in areas that are crucial for the present and future.

WHO: Young people aged 14–35, from any country. WHAT: A 7-day global summit covering science, media, entrepreneurship, IT, sports, creative industries, and civic engagement. WHERE: Ekaterinburg, Russia. WHEN: 11–17 September 2026. HOW MUCH: Free for selected delegates — travel support is also available for international participants. 

Why Should Indonesians Care?

Here's the number that matters: more than 100,000 young leaders from 191 countries have already applied. Only 10,000 will make the cut — 5,000 from Russia, 5,000 international. The competition is real. But so is the opportunity. 

Priority will be given to young people who demonstrate expertise and have already proven themselves in one of eight areas: science and education, sports, entrepreneurship, media, digitalization and IT, creative industries, public administration, and civic engagement. 

For Indonesian youth, this isn't just a free trip. It's a resume-builder that opens rooms most people never enter.

What Happens Inside the Festival?

Attendees can expect educational, cultural, and sports programs, as well as excursions, TED-style talks, talk shows, and open discussion spaces. The energy inside the Ekaterinburg venues reportedly feels like a cross between a TEDx conference and an international music festival — multiple stages running simultaneously, the smell of food from across four continents, impromptu collaborations happening in hallways.

"The intention is for the festival to be more than just an event — a genuine experience of international, academic, and professional collaboration." — Aleksandra Osmolovskaya, WYF Latin America Coordinator

And there's a bonus round: 1,000 foreign participants will be selected for a fully funded post-festival regional tour across 30 Russian regions. Ekaterinburg is just the beginning.

How to Register as an Indonesian Participant
Kemenpora is coordinating Indonesia's national delegation. The steps are straightforward: visit wyffest.com, create a profile, choose your area of expertise, and submit. Registration runs until 31 May 2026. Don't wait — the backup list fills fast. 

For Indonesia-specific guidance, check kemenpora.go.id or follow @kemenpora on Instagram for updates on the national selection process.