The Gorchakov Fund

The First Russia – Latin America Strategic Cooperation Forum CORAL 2026 has begun in São Paulo 🇧🇷 Today, the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo hosted the opening ceremony of the first international forum organized by the Russia–Latin America Integration and Cooperation Center (CICRAL). The event is supported by the Gorchakov Fund.

Over the next four days, participants from Russia and ten Latin American countries will discuss political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation. A key highlight of the Forum will be the presentation of a comprehensive study on the current state of Russia's partnership with 12 Latin American countries.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks by: ➡️ Mário Maurici de Lima Morais, Representative of the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo ➡️ Esteban Perié, President of CICRAL ➡️ Luiza Calvette Costa, Director General of CICRAL Brazil ➡️ Sergey Orlov, Deputy Executive Director of the Gorchakov Fund ➡️ Ilya Zakharov, Representative of Rossotrudnichestvo in São Paulo Sergey Orlov also delivered a welcome address to the Forum participants — watch the first moments from the opening ceremony in our video! #LatinAmerica #Brazil #grants 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

Applications are now open for a street culture award competition Applications are now open for the 9th season of the International Street Culture and Sports Award Competition «KARDO»—the largest international project bringing together representatives of street culture and sports from over 140 countries. The project aims to support talented participants, develop international cooperation, and promote a healthy lifestyle. Who can participate? 🟠 Citizens of Russia and other countries; 🟠 Participants aged 14 and older; 🟠 Representatives of street culture and sports. 🏆 The best candidates of the online selection will receive an invitation to the international grand final, which will be held in Vladivostok on September 16–20. Winners will receive cash prizes, grant support, expert mentorship, and other development opportunities. Participation is free. How to participate? 1️⃣ Register on the competition website. 2️⃣ Choose one of 13 categories and submit your application. 3️⃣ Upload a video or your work by July 15th. 📎 Details are available on the organizer's website. Show what you're made of! #announcements 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

We discussed the Caucasus, made new connections, and saw the mountains! «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026» has concluded: three action-packed days in Pyatigorsk, where young researchers and leading experts discussed the present and future of the Caucasus region. What did our participants accomplish during these days? 🟢Analyzed how the balance of power in the Caucasus is changing and the role of the global centers of power 🟢 Discussed transport routes, integration processes, and humanitarian cooperation 🟢 Tried their hand at diplomacy during a strategy game 🟢And of course, enjoyed the southern sunshine! Thanks to the Mashuk Knowledge Center for their hospitality, and to all participants for their willingness to delve into even the most complex topics. 📸 Let’s look back on the highlights of the program! ➡️Learn more about the program results on our website. #CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter

What if international relations were a game? ♟️ Participants spent the second day of «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026» playing an interactive strategic simulation game developed by the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy. The main topic was digital sovereignty and security.

Participants were divided into four teams: two fictitious states and two tech giants offering their own digital security solutions.

Then everything was just like in big politics: 🟢 defend your own interests (both overt and covert); 🟢 negotiate and seek alliances; 🟢conclude agreements; 🟢respond to new challenges and change strategy on the fly Of course, there were some unexpected twists: the moderators regularly changed the gameplay, forcing participants to reconsider existing agreements and seek new compromises. It seems that every participant managed to feel like a true diplomat! #CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

The big conversation about the Caucasus has begun! «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026», the Gorchakov Fund's flagship scientific and educational program on contemporary processes in the region, has launched in Pyatigorsk at the Mashuk Knowledge Center.

This year, 50 young specialists from 10 countries, together with leading experts, are discussing the Caucasus, which today lies at the intersection of interests of global power centers.

During the first day, participants have already: 🟢discussed how the balance of power in the Caucasus is changing; 🟢discovered why transport routes are becoming a tool of geopolitics; 🟢explored the region through the eyes of experts from Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, India, and the United States. And in the evening, participants had their first preparation session for the traditional strategic modelling game hosted by the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy. Press 🏆 to support the participants! ➡️ Read more about the program on the Fund's website. #CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

Is the South Caucasus a center of gravity? To mark the launch of «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026" program, we are publishing a new analytical paper from the Gorchakov Fund, «The South Caucasus in the Global Interests of External Actors». ➡️ Author — Sergey Zhiltsov, Doctor of Political Science, Head of the Department of Political Science and Political Philosophy at the Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO University.

The expert analyzes how the balance of power in the South Caucasus is changing and what role Russia, the US, the EU, Turkey, and China play in the region today. Political, economic, and transport projects are explored, as well as the transformation of the foreign policy priorities of the countries in the region.

Key questions include: 🟣 Why is the South Caucasus currently the focus of attention for major global players? 🟣 Who really benefits from new transport corridors and logistics projects? 🟣 What could the new balance of power look like in the coming years? 📎 Find answers to these and other questions in the paper — and share it with others! #CaucasusDialogue #analytics 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the XII International Scientific and Expert Forum Primakov Readings 🔴Ruptly 🔴Russia's MFA Website

а еще тебе очень идет это платье!! Five days, two cities, and countless discussions about the Balkans 🇷🇸 «The Balkan Dialogue — 2026» concluded in Sremski Karlovci. This year, our flagship program brought together over 30 young professionals, researchers, and representatives of public organizations from Russia and the Balkan region. Over these days, participants managed to: 🔵 Understand how the energy map of Southeastern Europe is changing and what challenges the region faces 🔵 Discuss security issues, the transformation of international alliances, and the impact of global processes on the Balkans 🔵 Discuss media and narrative-shaping mechanisms 🔵 Try their hand at diplomacy through a simulation game aimed at developing their own agreement on regional security 🔵Meet experts and colleagues from different countries—and make new friends! It's symbolic that the program coincided with the opening of the Ragusa Hub international youth center — a new space opened by the Gorchakov Fund in partnership with Ragusa autonomous non-profit organisation and the World Youth Festival Directorate. ➡️ Learn more about the program's results on the Fund's website. We came to the conclusion that the more you learn about the Balkans, the more you want to know! #BalkanDialogue #Balkans #Serbia 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

Remember when Cheburashka said he was preparing something special in Serbia? 👋 Well, it’s here! A few days ago, “Ragusa Hub”, the first International Youth Centre in Europe opened its doors in Belgrade. Created by Ragusa ANO and the WYFD with the support of the Gorchakov Fund, the hub will give young people in Serbia a space to launch projects, receive support from experts, and make new friends from around the world. The centre is named after Sava Vladislavić Raguzinsky, an 18th-century diplomat who connected the Balkans, Russia, and China. Today, his name lives on in a place where young people will work together to build a shared future.

💫 The opening ceremony was attended by Leonid Drachevsky, Executive Director of the Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund; Aleksandar Vranješ, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia; Aleksandr Konanykhin, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Serbia; Evgeny Baranov, Director of the Russian House in Belgrade; and Vladan Grbović, President of the Ragusa NGO.

🌀 Young activists also joined an open dialogue focused on one important idea: Russia and Serbia are connected not only by partnership, but also by a centuries-long friendship built on shared values.

Dmitry Ivanov, the

WYFD

Director General noted that the Serbian delegation was one of the most active at the

WYF 2024

and the

WYF Assembly

. That’s why we’re looking forward to welcoming a big and friendly team from Serbia to the IFY–2026 in Ekaterinburg this September!

💎 By the way, “Ragusa Hub” has already hosted the “Balkans and BRICS+” Media School and is currently welcoming participants of the “Balkan Dialogue–2026” program from June 2 to 6.

Yesterday, the Balkan Dialogue was particularly full of questions ❔ On the second day of the program, participants and experts discussed security in Southeastern Europe: from the transformation of military-political alliances to the impact of new technologies on international relations. The Balkans rarely exist in a vacuum, so the conversation quickly expanded beyond the region: 🔵How are processes in the South Caucasus, the Middle East, and Southeastern Europe connected? 🔵What challenges do new technologies create? 🔵And why does the security architecture in the region continue to change? 🎥 The day concluded with a lecture on the Balkans in world cinema. Together with Nikita Bondarev, we discussed how cinema helps us understand the region, shapes its image, and sometimes reveals as much about politics as expert report. #BalkanDialogue #Balkans 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

We have to warn you: the next five days will be dedicated to the Balkans! «The Balkan Dialogue — 2026» has launched in Belgrade, which means that the next several days will be filled with discussions, making friends and diving deeper into the most relevant processes in the Southeastern Europe.

More than 30 young professionals from Russia and the Balkan region participated. Experts included specialists from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

What did the participants discuss on the first day? ✔️ Current energy development trends in Southeastern Europe ✔️Prospects for green energy and energy transition in the Balkans ✔️Potential for nuclear energy development in Serbia ✔️New gas routes and infrastructure in the region ✔️ The impact of geopolitical processes on energy cooperation But theory is just the beginning! In the evening, the participants began preparing for a simulation game, during which they will model real-life negotiation processes and explore ways to strengthen the resilience of Southeastern Europe. ➡️Read more about the results of the first day on our website. As for today, participants can look forward to discussions on security, military-political alliances, and new challenges facing the Balkan region.

The program is implemented with informational support of RT Balkan and Balkanist.ru website.

#BalkanDialogue #Balkans 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

A new platform for dialogue opened in Belgrade 🗣 On June 2, the official opening of the Ragusa Hub international youth center took place. It was established at the base of Ragusa Autonomous Non-Profit organisation with the support of the Gorchakov Fund and the World Youth Festival Directorate. 📌The opening ceremony was attended by Russian and Serbian experts, public figures, and, of course, young people, who the platform was established for.

«We hope that the Ragusa Hub will become a magnet for Russian and Serbian youth. Our task is communication,» noted Leonid Drachevsky, the Executive Director of the Gorchakov Fund.

Participants discussed the prospects of the new platform, its future projects, and opportunities for developing international youth cooperation. ➡️Read more about the opening on our website. It seems that Belgrade has a new place where future projects will be born! #Serbia 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

It's hard to imagine the Balkans without bringing up energy. And Balkan energy without politics 🌐 In anticipation of the launch of "The Balkan Dialogue — 2026" program, we are publishing a new issue of the Gorchakov Fund's analytical paper series — the report "Russia and the Energy Systems of Southeast Europe: leaving is not an option, staying is hard". 👤 Author — Mikhail Lobanov, Cand. of Science (Geography), Deputy Director for Research, Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The expert analyzes how Russia's role in the energy sector of Southeastern Europe is changing against the backdrop of sanctions policies, supply diversification, and the transformation of regional energy markets.

Key topics include: 🔹the future of Russian oil and gas supplies to the region; 🔹new energy routes and infrastructure projects; 🔹the fate of Russian assets in the energy sector of Southeastern Europe; 🔹the impact of sanctions pressure on economic and political processes in the region. It's no coincidence that energy security will be one of the central themes of "The Balkan Dialogue 2026", which starts tomorrow! 📎 The report is available to read, save, and share with others. #BalkanDialogue #Balkans #analytics

Meeting place — Delhi! 🇮🇳 The Gorchakov Fund together with Observer Research Foundation are opening applications for «The Asian Dialogue — 2026», an international educational and scientific program for young specialists interested in Asia and international relations. ⭐️ September 9–11 📌 Delhi, India This year’s topic — «The changing balance of power and the emergence of a new world order». Working language: English. The program’s Academic Supervisor — Alexey Kupriyanov, Cand.of Science (History), Head of the Center of the Indo-Pacific Region. The program includes: 🟠lectures and workshops with leading experts from Russia and Asia; 🟠seminars and panel discussions on the future of the Asia-Pacific region, BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN; 🟠discussion of the prospects for cooperation between Russia and India in a multipolar world; 🟠cultural program in Delhi. The program is aimed at young professionals aged 18 to 35 from Russia, Asian countries, and other interested states. How to apply?

1️⃣ Register on the English version of the Gorchakov Fund’s website or log into an existing account. 2️⃣Go to ‘My Projects’, click ‘Create Application’, and select ‘The Asian Dialogue – 2026’. 3️⃣Fill in all sections of the application form. 4️⃣Upload an analytical essay on one of the topics listed below and a letter of motivation. 5️⃣Go to the ‘Apply’ section and click ‘Submit’. The travel expenses of the authors of the five best essays will be covered by the organisers.

➡️ Applications are open until July 15, 23:59 (Moscow time). Read more about the terms of participation on our website. #AsianDialogue #India 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remarks at the XXXIV Assembly of the Council for Foreign and Defence Policy 🔴 X 🔴 Facebook 🔴 Ruptly 🔴 Russia's MFA Website

Summer, mountains, Pyatigorsk… We think that there are three good reasons to visit Pyatigorsk this summer — and they are all connected to «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026». ⭕️Especially because the deadline for application has been extended to May 29, 23:59 (Moscow time). Now there is extra time to polish your essay, check the application form and press «Submit». 🗂June 29 — July 3 📍Pyatigorsk, Mashuk Knowledge Center ➡️Read more about the terms of participation on our website. #CaucasusDialogue #GorchakovFund #MashukKnowledgeCenter 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

There is only a week left before the deadline to apply for «The Caucasus dialogue — 2026», so we have compiled the most important information about the program 🍉 ✅What awaits the participants? ✅Who can apply? ✅How to participate? ✅And what should your essay be about? Read, save, share with friends, and of course — apply for the program! 🗂June 29 – July 3 📍Pyatigorsk, Mashuk Knowledge center The deadline for applications is May 22, 23:59 (Moscow time). ➡️Read more about the terms of participation on our website. #CaucasusDialogue #GorchakovFund #MashukKnowledgeCenter 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

There is only a week left before the deadline to apply for «The Caucasus dialogue — 2026», so we have compiled the most important information about the program 🍉 ✅What awaits the participants? ✅Who can apply? ✅How to participate? ✅And what should your essay be about? Read, save, share with friends, and of course — apply for the program! 🗂June 29 – July 3 📍Pyatigorsk, Mashuk Knowledge center The deadline for applications is May 22, 23:59 (Moscow time). ➡️Read more about the terms of participation on our website. #CaucasusDialogue #GorchakovFund #MashukKnowledgeCenter 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

Congratulations on the Victory Day! 🎗 Today marks 81 years since the end of the Great Patriotic War. This date remains a symbol of courage and the strength of those who defended their country and gave future generations the right to live in peace. It is especially important to remember the price of that victory. Behind it stand millions of lives, losses, hope, and an unwavering belief that peace would eventually come. Today, we honor the memory of all those who lived through the war and fought for the future of their children, their country, and all of us. We remember. We are proud. #VictoryDay 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣

Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and creator of the Goodwill Games, has passed away Ted Turner went down in history as the man who transformed the global media landscape. But for many in Russia and the post-Soviet states, his name is also associated with another era—a time when sports and humanitarian projects became a means of overcoming political barriers.

It was Turner who initiated the Goodwill Games—international competitions that emerged following mutual Olympic boycotts by the USSR and the US.

Later, he actively supported humanitarian initiatives and UN projects, and advocated for nuclear disarmament and the development of international cooperation. ➡️Learn more about this other side of Ted Turner’s personality above. 1️⃣1️⃣1️⃣