Published on: 2026-09-09
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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Moscow City Department of Finance summed up the results of the 13th annual “Budget for Citizens” contest. In 2026, it brought together participants from 18 regions of Russia and showed a growing interest in the project beyond the capital. The authors suggest ideas that help explain public finances and smart personal budget management in an accessible way. The best solutions are planned to be used later in urban educational events.
“This year, we received the highest number of projects in the entire history of the competition — 210 entries from 18 regions of the Russian Federation. At the same time, I note that the competition is becoming more technological: in addition to traditional formats, participants actively used digital technologies and tools based on artificial intelligence. As a result, the number of works presented in the form of interactive educational platforms, websites, budget calculators, online games, and digital simulators has increased significantly. Such projects not only familiarize users with the structure of the financial system but also provide opportunities for practical application of knowledge,” she reported
Elena Zyabbarova, Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the city’s Department of Finance.
The geography of the competition continues to expand. This year, applications came from such regions as Moscow and the Moscow region, the republics of Tatarstan, Sakha (Yakutia), and North Ossetia — Alania, as well as the Astrakhan, Smolensk, Kaluga, Vologda, and Samara regions. Citizens of Vietnam, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan residing in Russia also joined the competition.
Works were accepted in 16 categories: 11 intended for individuals, and another five for legal entities. Participants developed educational and educational solutions dedicated to budget and financial literacy. Increasingly, authors offer not only ideas but also ready-made tools that can be applied in practice.
“Contestants not only discuss the budget but also propose specific scenarios for the practical application of their ideas—for example, within themed school lessons. This practice-oriented approach highlights the high social significance of the competition projects,” noted Elena Zyabbarova.
The competition attracts participants from different generations and professions. This year, the youngest participant was seven years old, and the oldest was 75. About two-thirds of the contestants were schoolchildren and students. Doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, designers, municipal employees, and pensioners also presented their projects. The wide age and professional diversity of the participants demonstrates that issues of public finance interest not only specialists but also people with various educational backgrounds and experiences.
The applications were evaluated by an expert commission consisting of representatives from leading Moscow universities, public figures, and specialists from the Moscow Department of Finance. Out of 210 submitted works, 16 projects were recognized as the best, and the authors of another 13 received special and encouragement prizes.
Among the best is a development by students of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. They created the interactive platform “Mosgorbizhet. Trek” with thematic calculators, quizzes, and five mini-games dedicated to the city budget.
Tatiana Shalimova, a lecturer at Mordovian State University named after N.P. Ogarev, presented the project “Inspired by Numbers.” The author proposes to study budget-related topics through the analysis of musical works, animated and feature films, as well as paintings by Russian artists.
Another highlighted work was the author tour by financial consultant Natalia Kolbasina and guide Elena Shagarova. The route allows you to learn about the history of finance during walks around the capital. In particular, during a walk through Zamoskvorechye, you can find out how Moscow’s budget was formed by studying the architecture of buildings and the stories of merchants, philanthropists, and entrepreneurs of the 19th–20th centuries.
In the category of legal entities, one of the winners was the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Sakha, which prepared an inclusive audio course “Financial Literacy and Budget for Everyone” for the nomination “Budget of Equal Opportunities.” It is aimed at creating an accessible educational environment for blind and visually impaired citizens. The materials are already available in all libraries and social institutions of the republic.
The winners also included developments using modern digital technologies, educational materials and solutions for different age groups. Among them are an AI-based virtual assistant to inform Muscovites about the city budget, lesson scenarios for schoolchildren, board financial games, and poster design layouts for the educational campaign.
More information about financial education in the capital can be found on the portal “Open Budget of the City of Moscow”, as well as in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
A large-scale project appeared on the mos.ru portal special project, dedicated to the development of key areas of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and the construction sector. The special project helps to learn how the capital has changed over the past years, which initiatives, aimed at making the lives of city residents even more comfortable, are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future.
On the project page “Economy” you can learn about the main indicators of the capital’s economic growth, its drivers and prospects, as well as which indicators can be achieved in the current year.
Stay promptly informed of the main news on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
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