The capital of Tatarstan hosted the summing up ceremony and awarding of laureates of the All-Russian program "Best for Russia. Regional Development". The expert council determined the best corporate projects and initiatives that made a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country's regions. The event was held in a closed forum format, bringing together business representatives, experts and regional development institutions.
This season, the program focused on five strategic areas:
- Development of human capital (personnel training, educational models).
- Infrastructure for life (transport, urban and public spaces).
- Financial services and products (improving accessibility and literacy).
- Digital solutions for competitive advantages of business and regions.
- Socially oriented projects that meet the principles of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
Special emphasis was placed on practices demonstrating synergy between economics, education, culture and technology.
On the day of the award ceremony, Kazan hosted the forum of the same name "Regional Development", which became a platform for meaningful dialogue. The event in a club format with a limited number of participants from Tatarstan made it possible to focus on discussing concrete cases and promising initiatives. The forum was preceded by a business game from the "Institute of Integral Training", which helped speakers and laureates to tune in to open interaction.
Among the laureates of the program are the largest state corporations, financial institutions and technology companies:
- State Corporation "Rosatom"
- VTB Education and VTB Bank
- Alfa-Bank and Gazprombank
- "Gazpromneft – Digital Solutions"
- DOM.RF
- Ak Bars Bank
- FM Logistic
- Directorate of Railway Stations (JSC "Russian Railways")
- Network "Vkusno - i tochka"
- CDEK
- Bank "St. Petersburg" (BSPB)
Winners' speeches
Arnella Abdullaeva, Head of Marketing Service of the Directorate of Railway Stations (JSC "Russian Railways"): "Awards are important as a guide for the regions: they emphasize the value of infrastructure in which culture and technology work together. Our victory shows that innovative formats help turn iconic places of cities into accessible points of cultural attraction."
Zhanna Khomyakova, Managing Director of VTB Education: "Recognition of our financial literacy initiatives confirms the demand for an integrated approach. Today, regional development is impossible without innovative educational models that create the basis for long-term growth."
Svetlana Kuzmina, Head of Recruitment Department at FM Logistic: "Our project helps young people take the first step in their profession. Students gain experience, companies gain promising employees, universities gain revitalization of the educational process. This is a collaboration that benefits everyone."
Experts noted the tourism sector as one of the most dynamic industries. Tatarstan has confirmed its status as one of the top-rated destinations in Russia.
- The region ranks 4th in the country in terms of the number of short-term rental bookings.
- Demand is shifting towards countryside recreation: bookings of houses and cottages in the region have increased by 95% over the year.
- On the eve of the New Year, Tatarstan entered the top 4 in terms of holiday accommodation bookings with an 8% increase in demand.
Raul Salakhov, Head of Service Development at Avito Travel: "The figures show that interest in the region remains, and leisure options — from city apartments to country cottages — are becoming more diverse."
The program "Best for Russia. Regional Development" has once again demonstrated that the key to a sustainable future for the regions lies in the partnership of large, medium and small businesses with educational institutions and local communities. Winning the award has become for companies not only a recognition of merit, but also evidence of their real contribution to strengthening the economic sovereignty and social stability of the country.
