On April 6, 2026, we are opening the call for applications for the 2026 Bridge Awards. We aim to recognize foreign citizens and repatriates actively involved in the development of Moscow and the Russian Federation. Today, it is especially important to strengthen humanitarian, business, and cultural ties with these individuals and shape a positive narrative about them in Russian society.

In 2026, the Bridge Awards will be presented in 10 categories.

• Architecture and construction
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Integration and Adaptation
• Culture and Art
• Media and Communications
• Medicine and new Health-saving Technologies
• Science and Innovation
• Education and Enlightenment
• Community activities and Charity
• Sports and Healthy Lifestyle
• Traditional and Family Values
• Tourism and hospitality

Go to the main page of the website and fill out your Bridge Awards application. Enter a world of glory!

We are pleased to announce the grand launch of the Bridge Awards, the International Award for Recognizing the Contribution of Foreign Citizens and Repatriates to the Russian Federation!

The opening ceremony, Bridge of Friendship, will take place on February 26th, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the VIP area of ​​Gostiny Dvor (Moscow).

The event will bring together business leaders, media representatives, government officials, entrepreneurs, and members of the international community.

Special guests and speakers include John Warren and Maria Shakhova, representatives of partner organizations—the Moscow government, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, and others—and the broader Bridge ecosystem.

This will be an unforgettable evening dedicated to raising awareness, recognizing achievements, and building strong connections. Dress code: smart casual.

📅 February 26, 2026

🕖 7:00 PM

📍 Gostiny Dvor, VIP area

3 Varvarka Street, Entrance 17

Please note: the event is not accessible through the main entrance.

One of the leading players in the Russian field of professional competitions and awards – the Agency for strategic development "CENTER" will act as the operator of “The Bridge Awards”.

The company has 11 years of experience in organizing expert events, analytics, GR, and city development based on the UN’s principles of sustainable development.

Among the Agency’s completed projects, for example, are the International Competition for the development of a master plan for the city of Grozny, the annual National Award of Russia in Landscape Architecture and Garden and Park Art and the Russian Youth Architectural Biennale. In total, the company’s portfolio includes more than 50 professional competitions and over 250 expert events.

As part of “The Bridge Awards”, “CENTER” will be responsible for implementing virtually the entire concept on a turnkey basis, including organising the collection and processing of applications, the work of the Expert Council and the Jury, the award ceremony, and a plenary session dedicated to international cooperation.

At the concept development stage of the Award, the Agency, together with its founders — Philip Hutchinson and Guy Eames — developed the mission, goals, objectives, and categories; participated in the formation of the Expert Council and the Jury — that is, it fully designed the core values and meaning of “The Bridge Awards”.

Maria Zakharova, Spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared details regarding the Bridge Awards during an MFA briefing. Speaking in Izhevsk, she encouraged both potential applicants and foreign media outlets to participate in the event.

“Throughout history, the Russian state and its capital, Moscow, have served as a global centre of attraction for outstanding minds and talents from around the world. By integrating into Russian society, foreign architects (one need only recall Bartolomeo Rastrelli), as well as scientists, entrepreneurs, diplomats and figures in the arts, have made an invaluable contribution to the country’s development. They received gratitude from our country regardless of historical circumstances. … In addition to those wishing to take part in the award itself, we invite media representatives to cover the event, especially foreign journalists who write about Russia,” stated Maria Zakharova.

The Russian MFA acts as the information partner for the awards. The Ministry's Spokeswoman reminded that applications can be submitted through May 11, by filling out the relevant form on the awards' website (bridgeaward.ru). The jury meeting will be held on May 27, and the official awards ceremony will take place on June 18.

“Please come, visit, see for yourselves, write and conduct interviews. I’m confident that among the laureates there will be many truly worthy foreign nationals living or working in Moscow who make a major contribution to maintaining and expanding international ties,” noted Maria Zakharova.

A webinar for Bridge Awards applicants will be held on Wednesday, May 6. If you have already heard about the awards but are unsure which category to choose or feel overwhelmed by the application process, this online consultation will help you clear everything up.

The webinar will feature:

• Guy Eames, Co-founder of the Awards, Founder and Curator of the Bridge Club platform;
• Dalia Hussein, lead project manager of Bridge Awards, representative of the Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER”.

The webinar starts at 6:00 PM Moscow time (3:00 PM GMT). Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions; you may also submit them in advance to contest@centeragency.org. The webinar will be conducted in Russian and English.

Webinar registration link: https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/69f34fd7f47e73114fa05f7c

On Thursday, May 14, a webinar will be held on participating in the Bridge Awards. For those aspiring to win the award, this is the last chance to consult on all matters, from category selection to the submission procedure, as the application period ends on May 15.

The webinar will feature:

• Guy Eames, Founder of the Awards, Founder and Curator of the Bridge Club platform;
• Dalia Khussein, Lead Project Manager of the Bridge Awards, representative of the Awards operator — Agency for Strategic Development "CENTER".

The webinar will start at 5:00 PM Moscow time (2:00 PM GMT) via the Zoom platform. You may submit your questions in advance to contest@centeragency.org. Working languages: Russian and English. To participate in the event, please register at the following link: https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/69f34fd7f47e73114fa05f7c

Exquisite interiors, a warm ambiance, and a truly star-studded lineup in the very heart of Moscow — this is what guests can expect at the Bridge Awards ceremony on June 18. The venue is the Hotel Continental on Tverskaya 22 ranked among the most prestigious in the Russian capital. It is renowned not only for its Art Deco design with Russian avant-garde accents but also for its creative spirit, regularly hosting exhibitions of contemporary Russian artists in its halls.

However, the primary reason to attend is the exceptional company. The ceremony will bring together influential figures, including members of the Jury and Expert Council, honorary guests, key media figures, and the nominees — expats and repatriates who have chosen Russia as their home and a place to realize their talents.

The project is supported by the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation, with the Agency for Strategic Initiatives serving as the strategic partner.

The evening will be hosted by popular media personalities Maria Shakhova and John Warren, featuring live musical performances and fine dining.

Become a patron: https://qform.link/form_wVfr5qpCgvXQuh_nyeXIjxsYWEhEgjLw

Photo: Nikita Maykov / Lori Photo Bank

It won’t be long: the call for entries for the Bridge Awards officially closes on May 15. The 1st International Bridge Awards honors the contributions of foreign nationals and repatriates to Russia’s prosperity. By recognizing their role in developing Moscow’s cultural and business ties, the award helps them integrate into the country and bring the international community together through cultural diplomacy.

"Just as the Fab Four once revolutionized the music world, these final four days can transform the landscape of international cooperation—if those foreign nationals who have dedicated their lives and careers to Russia take this moment to share their projects and achievements," emphasized Sergei Georgievskii, representative of the award operator and co-founder of the Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER”. "Applying is simple—just fill out the form at bridgeaward.ru."

The jury will convene on May 27 to decide who will top the charts of the Bridge Awards. The panel of experts who will determine the winners includes Alexander Vaino, Director of the "Young Professionals" Division, Agency for Strategic Initiatives; TV presenter Michael Gibson; Pierre Malinowski, Head of the Foundation for the Development of Russian-French Historical Initiatives; Dr. Pierre Monod, Head of Department at Ilyinskaya Hospital; and many other prominent figures.

The grand award ceremony will take place on June 18, where winners across 12 categories will be announced, including Integration and Adaptation, Education and Enlightenment, Sports and Healthy Lifestyle, and Traditional and Family Values. The ceremony will be preceded by a plenary session focused on international cooperation.

The project is supported by the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation. The Agency for Strategic Initiatives serves as the strategic partner of the awards.

The Bridge Awards was initiated by the Bridge Club platform, which brings together over 700 foreign nationals living and working in Moscow, as well as Russian professionals interested in international cooperation. The Bridge Awards was founded by entrepreneur Philip Hutchinson and public figure Guy Eames.

The application period has concluded for the Bridge Awards, which honors the contributions of foreign citizens and repatriates who have made a definitive life choice in favor of Russia. A total of 108 candidates from 41 countries are competing for victory across 12 categories, plus the A. Stieglitz Special Award. As a result, the project features participants from every continent except Australia.

The highest number of applications came from the United States, totaling 18. There are 13 contenders from Russia and 9 from the UK. The “Business” category proved to be the most geographically diverse, drawing applicants from 12 countries. "Culture and Art" came in second with 10 nations, while "Architecture and Construction" followed with 8.

The applicants include world-renowned celebrities. For example, Jeff Monson, a former American mixed martial arts fighter and currently a Russian politician and public figure, is competing for the award in the "Sports and Healthy Lifestyle" category.

Among the entrepreneurs are Briton David Henderson-Stewart, who revived the legendary Raketa Watch Factory, and Stanislav Kondov from Bulgaria, General Manager of a hospitality cluster that includes the Radisson Collection Hotel (formerly the Hotel Ukraine) and the Radisson Slavyanskaya.

Among the contenders for the "Community Activity and Charity" award are Pierre de Gaulle, the grandson of Charles de Gaulle, alongside Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jassim Al Thani, the Ambassador of Qatar to Russia.

“The geography of the award and the level of participants exceeded our highest expectations, and we witnessed immense interest in this project, which is significant for international cooperation. This proves that Russia continues to be a major center of attraction for talented and ambitious individuals from across the globe,” stated Sergei Georgievskii, representative of the award operator and Co-founder of the “CENTER” Agency for Strategic Development.

The award’s Expert Council has already begun selecting the top 5 contenders in each category.
Each of the top 5 award contenders will receive an invitation to the gala award ceremony, which will take place on June 18 at the Hotel Continental in Moscow.

The project is carried out with the support of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of the City of Moscow and the Moscow Centre for International Cooperation; the Strategic Partner of the award is the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. The main media partner of the event is the Press Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

The initiator of the project is the Bridge Club, a socio-business platform that brings together foreign citizens residing and working in Moscow, along with Russian professionals focused on international cooperation.

For more details about the award, please visit the official website: bridgeaward.ru/en


Photo: Yuriy Kirsanov / Lori Photo Bank

Within the framework of the First International Award for Contribution to the Development of Moscow's Cultural and Business Collaboration, the Expert Council has determined the first five contenders across all categories. All finalists, from among whom the Jury will in turn select the winners, will receive invitations to the gala awards ceremony.

Based on the expert selection results, 64 candidates from 31 states have reached the decisive stage out of a total of 108 applications submitted from 41 countries. The USA has the largest representation among foreign countries, with 11 applications. The UK ranks second with six candidates. Third place is shared by five countries, each with three applications: Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Ireland, and Tajikistan.

The top fives feature both prominent figures from sports, science, architecture, business, media, and public affairs, and those whose names are less known but who prove by example that Russia attracts talented and driven people from all over the world.

The full list of those who made the expert shortlist is available at https://bridgeaward.ru/top5/en Please note that the list is compiled in alphabetical order, not as a ranking.

The Bridge Awards Jury is set to choose the winners over the next few days, with the names to be revealed during the gala ceremony in Moscow on June 18.

Follow the award news on its official website: bridgeaward.ru/en

Photo: Baturina Yuliya / Фотобанк Лори

Media representatives are invited to attend the culmination of the Bridge Awards — the 1st International Award for Contributions to the Development of Cultural and Business Collaboration in Moscow. The event will take place on June 18 at Hotel Continental (22 Tverskaya Street) and will feature networking, a business program, a documentary film premiere, a press scrum, and the gala awards ceremony. To cover the event, please register by 23:00 Moscow Time (GMT+3) on June 16 using this link: https://forms.yandex.ru/cloud/6a2127a2493639781468e658

The schedule features:

• 18:00 – 18:30 — Plenary session on international cooperation and foreign integration into Russian society;
• 18:30 – 19:00 — RT.Doc film exhibition;
• 19:00 – 19:15 — Press scrum;
• 19:15 – 21:50 — Gala awards ceremony.

The following speakers have been invited to participate in the session on the integration of expatriates and repatriates who have made a life choice in favor of Russia: Alexander Vaino, Director of the Young Professionals Department at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives; Guy Eames, Co-founder of the Awards; David Henderson-Stewart, Owner of the Raketa Watch Factory; Sergey Cheremin, Head of the Moscow City Government Department for External Economic and International Relations; and Ekaterina Yakovleva, Head of the RT.Doc Channel.

The RT.Doc film tells the stories of immigrants fostering bridges of friendship between Russia and their homelands through work and creativity.

The following speakers have been invited to participate in the press scrum: Alexander Vaino, Guy Eames, Sergey Cheremin, and Philip Hutchinson, Co-founder of the Awards. They will be available to answer questions regarding the Bridge Awards winners, government policies aimed at attracting foreign talent to Russia, and the firsthand experiences of expatriates adapting to life in the country.

A fully equipped press center will be available for the media adjacent to the venue (3rd floor, Rodchenko Hall).

The event will be attended by members of the jury and the expert council, comprising prominent politicians, public figures, scientists, art world representatives, athletes, and celebrities. The ceremony will host the nominees who successfully passed the expert selection — 64 contenders representing 31 nations.

The award features 12 categories, including Entrepreneurship, Culture, Science and Innovation, Community Activities, and Traditional Values. Additionally, a special award is named after Alexander Stieglitz, an outstanding Russian financier, statesman, and philanthropist of foreign descent.

The Bridge Awards is organized with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Moscow City Government Department for External Economic and International Relations, and the Moscow Center for International Cooperation; the Agency for Strategic Initiatives serves as the strategic partner of the Awards.

The award aims to highlight the contributions of foreign nationals and repatriates to the development of Moscow and Russia, helping to preserve the memory of Russia’s historical appeal to outstanding foreigners and their roles in the country’s history. The initiative seeks to support the integration of foreigners and their family members into Russian society, foster an active international community connected to Moscow and Russia, and enhance the tools of public and cultural diplomacy.

Detailed information about the award is available on the official website: bridgeaward.ru/en

Photo: Dmitrij Neumoina / Fotobank Lori