For a better future: growth and development projects presented in Russia

The Fifth Forum "Strong Ideas for a New Age", organized by ASI, the Roscongress Foundation and VEB.RF, was held in Moscow at the Rossiya National Center. The Forum aims to identify and implement the best developments that contribute to the development of Russia and the achievement of national goals. The President traditionally spoke at the forum's plenary session and appreciated the innovations presented. Izvestia reports on the ideas presented by the congress participants.

From robots to forestry

"Thousands of the best ideas receive concrete support every year. Their teams and leaders are provided with the educational and methodological assistance necessary for further development, and 100 of the most significant initiatives are sent to the Government, ministries, departments, and regions of the Russian Federation for their use in formulating system solutions," Vladimir Putin said in his speech.

In 2025, a record number of applications were received through the crowd platform for collecting ideas - more than 35 thousand. This is almost 2.5 times more than in the first year of the forum. The ideas were put forward in five areas — social, entrepreneurial, technological, human resources, as well as environmental and climate initiatives. Their authors include not only Russians, but also citizens of Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, China, the USA, India and Ethiopia. Bashkortostan, Nizhny Novgorod and Saratov regions, Moscow and Mordovia became the leaders in the number of announced projects.

One of the submitted projects concerned robotics. Stanislav Rozanov, CEO of the resident company of the Skolkovo Foundation (VEB.RF Group), Tubot, spoke about the development of in-tube robots. They carry out diagnostics, repairs, treatment or cleaning of pipes, which helps to avoid accidents.

"Robots are already in use, but for broader applications, we need to work out an industry request and, if possible, support measures similar to those that have become available for industrial robotics as part of a national project," says Rozanov.

In turn, a farmer from Melitopol, the head of the association "People's Farmer" of the Zaporizhia region, Anastasia Demura, proposed to develop and implement a national plan for the revival of nature, which includes the creation and restoration of protective forest belts, the production of planting material, planting and care, including the creation of new artificial reservoirs for irrigation of forest belts.

Water is a government matter

Sergey Rybakov, General Director of the Nature and People Foundation, made a proposal to use unmanned aerial vehicles in specially protected areas. Igor Makarov, Head of the Department of World Economy and Head of the HSE Laboratory of Climate Change Economics, presented his idea of "Russia's Water Potential". The project provides for the development of a comprehensive strategy that will make it possible to use the country's competitive advantages related to freshwater.

The Chairman of VEB also dwelled on the issues of water resources.Russian Federation Igor Shuvalov. According to him, during the preparation for the forum, this topic sounded in a new way. It combines issues of environmental protection, modern new energy, as well as new technologies designed to provide Russians with modern transport in large cities where rivers flow.

"Together [with ASI CEO] Svetlana [Chupsheva] and the expert council, we will try to shape this topic so that it generally sounds like an economy around water. There is a big request on this topic. Here I will say again that these are such new aspects that we have never considered before," Shuvalov added.

Technology is in focus

The country's development today is largely determined by its own technological developments. Regarding the technological projects of VEB.The Russian Federation is currently working with the Presidential Administration and the government to reassemble support measures. According to Igor Shuvalov, the development bank intends to focus on technologies that are not only in demand in Russia, but also have great export potential.

Achieving technological leadership is also closely linked to the investment climate. Chairman of VEB.The Russian Federation told the forum participants about the rating of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, which demonstrates not only the dynamics of the business environment in the regions of Russia, but also reflects the improvement in the quality of life of Russian families. "In addition to the fact that more investments are coming, the rating reflects how the situation in the region is changing, and how much this translates into the quality of life of an ordinary Russian family," he added.

The head of the Web.The Russian Federation proposed to expand the rating internationally and introduce it in the BRICS, SCO and EAEU countries. "This will encourage us, among other things, to create a new business environment faster in the context of healthy competition with our partners," Shuvalov said.

Previous ideas are in action.

In addition to current plans and initiatives, work on projects from previous forums was discussed. For example, last year, Alexey Shkrapkin, the owner of the Skornyakovo —Arkhangelskoye estate in the Lipetsk region, proposed restoring abandoned historical estates and cultural heritage sites in small towns and villages. Vladimir Putin supported the idea, calling it a "noble cause" to preserve the country's cultural heritage. In the dialogue, the president addressed the chairman of VEB.The Russian Federation with a request to review and support the project. Igor Shuvalov fulfilled the instruction of the head of state.

"I am reporting that financing has been found, an appropriate agreement has been signed, and the Repets estate will receive all the necessary investments on schedule in order to receive tourists," Shuvalov said.

Another initiative from last year was "Time to Live in Russia" by Irene Cecchini, an Italian student at MGIMO. She suggested simplifying the relevant procedures for foreigners who share traditional values and dream of moving to Russia. This idea was also brought to life. In 2024, the president signed a decree "On providing humanitarian support to people who share traditional Russian spiritual and moral values." A standard for the integration of expatriates and their families has been developed, as well as an action plan to simplify migration procedures.

"As part of the preparation of the new presidential decree, [we are working on the idea] with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other departments, and this is an important initiative that will allow us to develop this topic, there have been many requests from foreign countries about the possibility of obtaining citizenship in the Russian Federation, perhaps through some kind of interim status."- said Shuvalov.

Cecchini herself notes that the implementation of her idea will be useful to many foreigners who are close to Russia and its values.

"Participating in the forum last year was not only an inspiration for me, but also an opportunity to meet like-minded people, including foreigners who share traditional values. It is amazing to see how the number of such foreigners is increasing. Therefore, the forum "Strong Ideas for a New Time" gave me even more confidence that I want to continue living here in Russia and continue to obtain Russian citizenship," Cecchini said.

Across borders

Farmers from Africa also want to live and work in Russia. As told by the head of VEB.Russia, there have been many such requests. According to Shuvalov, they are close to the traditional values of the country, its culture, traditions, and the kindness of people.
"These people are ready to consider the Russian Federation as a place where they can seriously develop agriculture. They write in their appeals that they have the technology, the desire, and are ready to work to create a new crop in Russia," Shuvalov explained.

Peter Gordon Hamilton, a former farmer from South Africa, argues that there is no reason to be biased against Russia. "I have discovered that all the so-called prejudices that exist against Russians are 100% lies. They are the same people as us, they are friendly, family—oriented and religious, which is very important to me, especially considering that I was raised as a Christian and actually converted to Orthodoxy myself and am an Orthodox Christian," he says in an exclusive video sent to the organizers of the forum.

Hamilton notes that the only place he could call home besides South Africa is Russia, "because of its people, because of its beauty and culture."