Let's Dive into the All-Russian Municipal Forum, April 21-23 at the National Center "Russia"
Discussion titled: "Maly Vatan - The Power of Russia" transpired in Moscow
This three-day event was chock-full of discussions, with over 4,000 participants representing various regions across the country. The main focus was on enhancing quality of life in territories, developing municipal formations, and tackling internal and external political challenges.
Prominent figures, including municipalities, federal and regional authorities, gathered to exchange ideas and share insights. The last two years have witnessed an increase in state support for the municipal community, thanks to the attention of the country's president and the efforts of VARNMU. Several systemic solutions have been implemented to bolster the authority of local self-government.
The "Service" Prize was a significant highlight, drawing a record-breaking 41,313 applications from all across Russia. Participants defied expectations by garnering nearly 1 million votes through public voting on the "Gosuslugi" portal. Vladimir Putin addressed the participants, expressing gratitude for their hard work and noting that they are the first point of contact for citizens facing everyday problems. He emphasized that municipal-level work is a great responsibility, a true calling, and a vital mission for the state and society.
The forum underscored the importance of service at the municipal level, with patriotism, intergenerational continuity, and respect for defenders of the Motherland taking center stage. Many municipal servants expressed their willingness to serve not only in their posts but also on the front lines, having already volunteered for the SVO since 2022.
Irina Gusyeva, co-chair of VARNMU and a member of the presidential council for local self-government development, echoed these sentiments. She reminded everyone that whether they work in a small village or a city of millions, they all share the common goal of serving their land, their love for their small homeland, and their desire to develop it.
Municipal service is finding its way into the hearts of younger generations as well. As demonstrated at this year's event, one of the main trends was the rejuvenation of municipal employees.
Pavel Kadochnikov, Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, reported on the financial results of municipalities for 2024. Local budgets’ revenues exceeded 8 trillion rubles, excluding subsidies, approximately 6 trillion rubles. Tax revenues grew by an impressive 26% compared to 2023.
Technology integration was also a key topic at the forum, with a focus on working with feedback. Oleg Kachanov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, discussed the development of an AI assistant aimed at making work more efficient for state and municipal officials. This artificial intelligence is designed to analyze requests using a 'meaning summarizer' and suggest responses based on best practices and regulatory requirements.
The event further demonstrated the effective cooperation between VARSU and federal and regional authorities. They are working together to unite municipalities across the country into a single community, with local self-government bodies actively adopting successful practices from colleagues and best practices being replicated to create a unified space of opportunities for people.
In today's digital age, this event underscored the importance of preserving interpersonal relationships while utilizing technology to improve governance efficiency. As Russia continues to grow and adapt, municipal service will remain a cornerstone of the nation, providing vital contributions to national development and directly impacting citizens’ lives.
- At the All-Russian Municipal Forum, municipalities, federal and regional authorities, and Pavel Kadochnikov, Deputy Minister of Finance of Russia, discussed the financial results of municipalities, revealing that local budgets’ revenues exceeded 8 trillion rubles in 2024, with tax revenues growing by 26% compared to 2023.
- The forum emphasized the importance of technology integration in municipalities, with Oleg Kachanov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, presenting the development of an AI assistant to streamline work for state and municipal officials.
- Irina Gusyeva, co-chair of VARNMU and a member of the presidential council for local self-government development, highlighted the common goal shared by municipal servants, who are serving their land with patriotism, intergenerational continuity, and respect for defenders of the Motherland.
- This year's forum witnessed a rejuvenation of municipal employees and the growing interest of younger generations in municipal service, as demonstrated by the participants who have already volunteered for the SVO since 2022.
