New Season of Rediscovering Russia Student Expedition Project Begins

From January 15 to February 15, the project website is accepting applications to organise and conduct expeditions for the 2024 season as part of the Rediscovering Russia project. In 2023, 1,000 students from 157 universities took part in the expeditions.

Universities, commercial and non-profit organisations can submit applications to organise and conduct expeditions in 2024. In 2023, more than 130 universities and 60 organisations submitted applications, and 1,000 students from 157 universities took part in the expeditions. Expeditions that have passed the selection process receive support in the form of travel, accommodation, meals, and an excursion programme for participants and mentors.

The project is being implemented with the support of the presidential platform Russia—Land of Opportunity, HSE University, and the programme of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) More Than a Trip.

Rediscovering Russia is an all-Russian inter-university programme of student expeditions. Students from the best universities in the country participate in socially significant projects that change life in Russian regions for the better.

Organisers: HSE University, the presidential platform Russia—Land of Opportunity, and the More Than a Trip programme. 

The Rediscovering Russia project has been implemented at HSE University since 2017. During this time, more than 400 expeditions have been carried out and more than 4,500 students and teachers have taken part. In 2022, the project reached a new, inter-university level thanks to the support of the presidential platform Russia—Land of Opportunity and the More Than a Trip programme. In 2023, more than 15,000 applications were submitted, and more than 1,000 students from 157 universities across the country took part in the expeditions.

Dmitry Zemtsov

‘The Rediscovering Russia project does not stand still. A month ago, we summed up the results of the 2023 season, and today we are starting to accept applications for expeditions in 2024. In 2022, the project reached the all-Russian level thanks to the support of the ANO Russia—Land of Opportunity and the More Than a Trip programme. Last year, we took the first successful steps towards the implementation of international expeditions, and I am sure that the new season will bring even more achievements to the project,’ said HSE University Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov.

Alexey Agafonov

‘Last season, over 15,000 students from all over the country applied to participate in expeditions, which, in my opinion, is a clear indicator that the project continues to be of interest to young people. I invite educational, commercial, and non-profit organisations to join the project and apply to conduct expeditions. The winners will receive support and be able to improve life in one of the regions,’ said First Deputy General Director of the ANO Russia—Land of Opportunity Alexey Agafonov.

ANO Russia—Land of Opportunity was created at the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who headed its supervisory board. The platform’s mission is to build Russia’s future by offering equal opportunities to everyone. The platform helps people gain opportunities for self-development regardless of their location, profession, or family circumstances. Over the five years of the platform’s operation, 20 million people from all Russian regions and 150 countries around the world have taken part in its 26 projects, and more than 1,500 companies, universities, and government and public organisations have become partners.

To participate in the competition, applicants must describe the concept of their expedition and specify the dates and objectives of the trip. After the winners are determined, with the support of the Rediscovering Russia project office, the expedition programme is developed, student participants are selected, and the work of the expedition is organised. Expeditions can span a wide range of topics: education, ecology, the social sphere, urbanism and territorial development, culture, and technology. One prerequisite is that the expedition is aimed at solving significant problems in the region, and that interested partners are available at the location.

The More Than a Trip programme has enabled over 150,000 young people to see unique places in Russia, learn about the achievements of universities and industrial enterprises, develop socially significant projects, and find new friends.

Active participants, prize-winners, and winners of all-Russian projects go on trips around the country: schoolchildren, students, young professionals from the regions, and family members of those in the armed forces. Trip participants benefit from both diverse tourism and professional self-realisation—they can prove themselves, receive internships and job offers, or apply the acquired knowledge in their home region.