Municipalities have until August 1 to exchange their most effective local governance strategies and techniques.
The All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" contest is back for its sixth edition, aiming to identify and promote innovative solutions in local governance across Russia. With a prize fund of 1 billion rubles by 2025, the contest is set to scale these initiatives, making a significant impact on municipal management.
This year, the contest has five main categories: urban planning, housing, territorial management, branding, 'Smart City', and interethnic harmony. Additionally, there are two additional categories: "Urban Districts and Settlements" and "Rural Settlements".
The selection process for the contest will occur in two stages: an initial selection at the regional level, followed by a review by a federal commission. The regional stage winners for the national policy sphere in the Republic of Komi include Blagoyevo, showcasing the ethnographic festival of winter sports "Kytshyas", and Ob'yachevo, where systematic work is done to preserve and develop the Komi language and traditions.
The winners of the contest will be designated as model practices, providing an opportunity for their successful strategies to be replicated in other regions. Marat Khusnullin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Government, stated that this is an opportunity for all municipalities to learn from these successful experiences.
The All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" contest has been a crucial platform for identifying and rewarding best practices in municipal management since 2017. The contest covers a broad range of areas including urban planning, housing modernization, small business development, social services, transportation infrastructure, and digitalization.
The deadline for submissions to the contest is August 1st. For detailed information about the 2021 winners and their innovative projects, we recommend checking the official website or publications by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development or the Association of Russian Municipalities, which typically organize and document this contest.
Finance and business leaders may find the Smart City category of the All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" contest particularly intriguing, as this component focuses on innovative technology solutions for city management. Education and self-development can be fostered through initiatives in branding, aiming to promote positive perceptions of municipalities and foster community cohesion within and across regions.
