Russian organization VARMSU unveils initial offers highlighting top-tier municipal practices across the nation
The All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" competition, a nationwide initiative that recognizes exemplary municipal projects improving local infrastructure and living conditions, has expanded its participant base in 2025. This year, the competition welcomed smaller and historically significant towns, encouraging innovative urban projects that impact broader community areas.
Since its inception, the competition has recognised 1,609 winning projects from 924 municipalities. In 2025 alone, 424 applications were submitted, showcasing growing engagement from municipal officials who view winning as a catalyst for positive change.
Key features of the 2025 competition include the expansion of eligibility to cities and key towns with populations up to 300,000 people and historical towns that serve as administrative centres. This expanded geography allowed participation from cities like Stary Oskol, Kostroma, Lyubertsy, Tambov, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Nalchik, Nizhnekamsk, Engels, and 47 key rural towns, many competing for the first time.
A growing emphasis on projects that upgrade whole neighbourhoods or streets, beyond standalone public spaces like parks and embankments, is also notable. The number of such comprehensive urban improvement projects has nearly quadrupled over seven years, highlighting a shift toward integrated urban development.
The Association of WARMSU (presumably a municipal association involved in the competition) submitted applications to participate in the All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" competition for the first time in its history. This step underscores the systematic work of all levels of government and the special role of the municipal community in the country.
WARMSU, co-chaired by Irina Gusueva, a member of the Presidential Council for Local Self-Government Development, submitted applications from 10 regions this year: Amur, Kaluga, Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Samara, Smolensk, Yaroslavl, Kemerovo Oblasts, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District.
The updated version of Resolution No. 815, which came into force on May 14, 2025, granted new powers to the organisation, making this participation possible. Under the updated resolution, WARMSU is entitled to submit no more than five municipal entity applications per nomination and category of participants to the competition commission.
This year, WARMSU presented practices of municipalities that had not previously participated or won at the regional stage. These municipalities were recognised as significant and worthy of federal attention. Irina Gusueva stated that this step highlights the Association's initiative to expand municipal participation in competitive activities.
In summary, the 2025 All-Russian "Best Municipal Practice" competition has marked a strategic development in bringing more municipalities into the initiative. This expansion, facilitated by associations such as WARMSU, encourages innovative urban projects that impact broader community areas and underscores the systematic work of all levels of government.
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