Published on: 2026-07-21
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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In Moscow, the results of the city competition “Moscow Masters” in the profession were summed up “organizer of volunteer activities”. In 2026, specialists who systematically recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers competed for the first time in a separate category. Participants presented the work of their centers, completed practical tasks, and solved professional cases. Support for the category was provided by the resource center “Mosvolonter”.
First place was taken by Oksana Kostenko, director of the volunteer center of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Second place was awarded to Nikolay Dzyuman, deputy head of the volunteer center of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), and third place to Darya Shevlyagina, head of the volunteer center of the Russian State Social University.
“The volunteer activity organizer is responsible for the entire team workflow: attracting participants, conducting training and briefings, distributing tasks, maintaining motivation, and evaluating results. This year, this specialty appeared for the first time in the ‘Moscow Masters’ competition. The final round included the 20 best candidates, from whom the top three winners were selected. The competition allowed the collection of strong practices from Moscow’s universities, colleges, non-profit organizations, government institutions, and businesses, and participants had the opportunity to test their approaches on real cases and exchange professional experience,” noted Alexander Levit, director of the Mosvolonter resource center.
Activity of the resource center “Mosvolonter” It covers the entire journey of a volunteer—from their first shift to managing a team, so the introduction of a new specialty at the “Moscow Masters” competition became a continuation of the initiative to develop organizers’ professional competencies. Participants were tasked not only with demonstrating personal experience but also the ability to build a sustainable system for training teams.
From a video business card to solving practical problems
The new program is designed for specialists with at least one year of experience in organizing volunteer activities — heads of centers, project coordinators, representatives of educational institutions, commercial and non-profit entities. They train volunteers, allocate tasks, maintain team motivation, and evaluate results.
At the qualification stage, the contestants talked about their experience, motivation, and professional goals. During the semifinal, Muscovites had to complete two tasks — a presentation of the centers’ work and testing. The first task assessed the organization’s systematic approach and effectiveness, while the testing evaluated the ability to conduct briefings.
In the semifinal, the contestants presented the work of their centers and their contribution to team development. Experts evaluated the ability to conduct briefings, assign tasks, monitor their completion, collect feedback, and analyze results. The highest scores were given to solutions with specific tools, deadlines, and examples of application.
In the final, the contestants participated in a team business game and solved practical cases. They had to propose ways to support and encourage volunteers that help maintain motivation and engagement. All finalists will receive certificates and souvenirs, while those who place first, second, and third will receive official winner and prize-winner statuses, as well as gifts from partners.
Organizers who create opportunities for others
The contest winners engage in various projects and work with different people, but they all share one goal — to help the volunteer be truly useful, support them, and enable them to take on more responsibility over time.
The winner of first place in the city competition “Moscow Masters” in the profession “organizer of volunteer activities,” Oksana Kostenko, came to volunteering in 2016. Participating in the competition became an opportunity for her to talk about specialists who create conditions for the implementation of socially significant initiatives and help volunteer teams develop.
“A professional organizer always remains a volunteer: sharing the values of volunteering and going through this path together with the team. My greatest achievement has been our graduates. The most valuable thing is to see a person with shining eyes, give them the tools to realize their dream, and then watch their victories,” Oksana Kostenko said.
She plans to use the experience of colleagues from schools and non-profit organizations in preparing new programs for the center and developing inter-university cooperation.
Nikolai Dzyuman, who took second place in the competition, started volunteering back in his school years. In 2023, he participated for the first time in a major city event — assisting at the Moscow Urban Forum as an accreditation volunteer. He is currently developing the MPEI volunteer center and improving the briefing system, which allows students to progress from beginners to independent organizers.
Nikolay Dzyuman is convinced that a professional organizer is distinguished by the ability to remain calm and confidently make decisions even in the most difficult situations. He must clearly set tasks, build systematic work, and always be ready to support the volunteer. According to Nikolay, the competition brought new acquaintances, useful methods, and the opportunity to look at familiar processes differently. This experience will help make the work of the MPEI volunteer center even better.
Darya Shevlyagina, the third-place winner, has been volunteering for eight years. She started by helping at university and city events, participated in the work of animal shelters, and delivered hot meals to those in need. Later, she became a team leader and then headed the volunteer center.
Daria noted that a professional organizer must simultaneously see the overall strategy and the individual trajectory of each participant. Behind every number is a living person with their own motives, fears, and expectations. It is important, Daria emphasizes, that the volunteer feels their work is valued and that the help truly reaches those in need. One of the main results of the team’s work, she considers, is the inclusive dialogue and cooperation laboratory “World Without Borders.” The project introduces schoolchildren and students to the principles of interacting with people with special needs and helps them overcome fear of the inclusive environment.
“Moscow Masters” is an annual citywide competition for those who make the capital better every day. Rescuers, engineers, public transport drivers, healthcare workers, and representatives of other in-demand professions compete for the title of the best in their field.
The contest has become one of the brightest urban projects, dynamically developing alongside the capital. Specialists of any age and any experience can participate, but traditionally more than half of the contestants are young people.
The competition is being held for the 29th time as part of the social partnership system between the Government of Moscow, the Moscow Federation of Trade Unions, and the Moscow Confederation of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers), supported by the city Committee on Public Relations and Youth Policy. Detailed information about the competition is posted on website and in the messenger “Max”.
Over nearly three decades, the scale of the project has increased almost sixfold: from seven professions in the first competition to 40 in 2026. More than 1.3 million people have participated in it throughout its history.
You can learn more about volunteering on the website of the “Mosvolunteer” resource center, on its social media page “VKontakte”, as well as in the messenger “Max”.
The organization of volunteer activities and the involvement of young people in city events correspond to the objectives of the national project “Youth and children” and the federal project “We Are Together.” More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be learned at special page.
Get the main news promptly on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.