Leningrad Region was formed on August 1, 1927. Leningrad Region is one of 11 constituent entities of the Russian Federation included in the North-Western Federal District.

Territory: 94.667 thous. sq. km

Geographical location and climate:

Leningrad Region borders with five constituent entities of the Russian Federation: Saint Petersburg (federal city), the Republic of Karelia, Vologda Region, Novgorod Region, Pskov Region, as well as with two states: the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Estonia.

Nature: Near the headwaters of the Oyat river, there is the highest point above sea level in Leningrad Region, the Vepsian Upland (291 m).
The territory of the region has about 1,800 lakes. The largest of them is Ladoga, the first largest lake in Europe, 18.135 thous. sq. km. The total length of all rivers in Leningrad Region is about 50 thous. km. The largest of them are the Neva river, the Svir river, the Volkhov river and the Vuoksi river.

55.5 % of the territory is occupied by forests. The following objects are located in Leningrad Region: Nizhnesvirsky State Natural Reserve, Mshinskoye Boloto Federal State Natural Sanctuary, Vepssky Les State Natural Park, 22 regional state natural sanctuaries and 14 regional natural monuments. The area of specially protected natural reservations occupies about 6 % of the Leningrad Region territory.

Mineral resources: bauxites, clay, phosphorites, shales, granites, limestone, sand. Over 80 mineral deposits are exploited in the region. Due to its forest reserves, the region is one of the leading areas in the north-west of Russia in forest harvesting operations, woodworking and forest export.

Climate is transitional from marine to continental. Winter is moderately warm; temperatures in January are from 7 to 11 °С below zero. Summer is cool; temperatures in July are from 15 to 17.5 °С above zero. The average annual air temperature within the territory of the region is 2.2-3.6 °С above zero; the absolute maximum is 33-36 °С above zero; the absolute minimum is 40–52 °С below zero. On average, there are 200 days with an average daily temperature above 0 °С in a year, 35-91 days — with a temperature below 10 °С. The territory of the region is located in a humid zone; the average annual air humidity is 80–82 %. Annual precipitation: 715-823 mm. Snow cover: 120–160 days.

Population: The number of resident population of Leningrad Region as of January 1, 2023, was equal to 2,023.8 thous. people, including urban residents 67 %, rural — 33 %.

ETHNIC MAKE-UP

Based on the results of the 2020 National Census, the ethnic composition in Leningrad Region is most represented by all ethnicities of 1,000 people and more as well as indigenous minorities. Ethnic make-up as of January 1, 2024:
Ethnicity	Number of persons who stated the relevant ethnicity
Persons who stated their ethnical identity	1,752,846
Russians	1,642,897
Ukrainians	12,905
Uzbeks	7,797
Belarusians	7,527
Tartars	6,805
Armenians	6,182
Tajiks	4,896
Azerbaijani	3,814
Kirghiz	2,004
Gypsies	1,509
Moldavians	1,464
Finns	1,381
Kazakhs	1,316
Georgians	1,137
Chuvashes	1,120
Bashkirs	1,038
Germans	1,000
Vepsians	925
Ingrian Finns	130
Izhorians	116
Votians	40
Other ethnicities (not mentioned above)	46,843

 

CONFESSIONAL MAKE-UP

At the moment, 411 religious organizations are officially registered and operate within the territory of the region.

The most common religion within the territory of Leningrad Region is Christianity (Orthodox Christianity). The Russian Orthodox Church is represented by 315 local religious organizations.

The following organizations are represented in Leningrad Region as well:

• Evangelical Lutheran local religious organizations — 20;
• Roman Catholic Church — 3 local religious organizations;
• Judaism — 2 religious organizations;
• Islam — 4 local religious organizations;
• Buddhism — 1 local religious organization;
• Old Believers — 1 local religious organization;
• Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostals) — 15 organizations;
• Evangelical Christians-Baptists — 15 organizations;
• Evangelical Christians — 8 organizations;
• Christians of Evangelical Faith — 15 organizations;
• Seventh-Day Adventists — 6 organizations;
• Protestant Christian Evangelical Organization — 1 organization;
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Latter-Day Saints) — 1 organization;
• United Methodist Church — 1 organization;
• Churikovtsy (Evangelical Temperance Christians) — 3 religious organizations.

The specified religious organizations have state registration.

A complete list is given on the website of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation: http://unro.minjust.ru.

 

Administrative-territorial division

Leningrad Region includes one city district and 17 municipal districts, as part of municipal districts — 67 urban settlements and 120 rural settlements. The number of inhabited localities is 2,940, including: urban ones — 70, rural ones — 2,870.

Updated information about the administrative and territorial structure of Leningrad Region is posted at the portal of the Administration of Leningrad Region (https://lenobl.ru/ru/o-regione/administrativno-territorialnoe-ustrojstvo). Moreover, here you can find a map of the administrative and territorial structure of Leningrad Region of 2023 as well as maps reflecting the previous status of Leningrad Region in this field since 2010.

 

GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN LENINGRAD REGION

The Governor of Leningrad Region — the Chairman of the Government of Leningrad Region — is Aleksandr Yuryevich Drozdenko (website: www.lenobl.ru/governor).

 

The Government of Leningrad Region is the highest body of executive power of Leningrad Region headed by the principal officer of Leningrad Region — the Governor of Leningrad Region — the Chairman of the Government of Leningrad Region (website: www.lenobl.ru/authorities/government_LO).

 

For more details about the structure of government executive bodies of Leningrad Region visit the website of the Government of Leningrad Region www.lenobl.ru/authorities/structure/2.

 

The Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region is the top lawmaking (representative) government body of Leningrad Region.

 

The Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region is                  Sergei Mikhailovich Bebenin.

 

For more details about the operation of the Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region visit the website of the Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region www.lenoblzaks.ru.

 

MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES

 

Upon the election of deputies of the 7th session in September 2021, 4 parliamentary parties were formed at the Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Region in accordance with the parties got into the parliament: United Russia, Just Russia — For Truth, CPRF and LDPR.

 

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATION

 

Leningrad Region is one of the leading regions of the Russian Federation with a high investment grade, socially oriented development programs and actively developing civil society institutions.

Dynamics of gross regional product in base prices, RUB bn

2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
678.7	703.3	849.6	953.7	1,002.5	1,147.6	1,223.7	1,238.6	1,481.2

 

INDUSTRY

The industry of the region is represented by production of: coke and oil products; food, other vehicles and equipment, paper and paper products, chemicals and chemical products, tobacco products, non-metal mineral products and other industries.

Manufacturing activities prevail, which account for over 85 % of the industrial output of the region.

Over 600 large and medium enterprises are altogether included in the industrial complex of the region, and some of them belong to the leading organizations of Russia, of which over 150 subjects make a total contribution to shipment of over 90 %, i.e., have a great impact on regional economy; some of the enterprises belong to the leading organizations of Russia.

Most of them are monitored by specialist government agencies of the region.

The Industrial Production Index (IPP) for the full circle of enterprises by the relevant period of the previous year amounted to 107.4 %, including:

– extraction of minerals — 112.2 %;

– water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities — 92 %;

– electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply — 96.5 %;

– manufacturing — 110.2 %.

At the year-end, the IPP is planned to be 106 %, which is caused by

recovery of production and growth in demand for manufactured products at the internal market, including due to substitution of import products included in the sanction lists.

The volume of shipped own-produced goods, performed work and rendered services in all principal industrial activities in January – November 2023 amounted to RUB 1,760.5 bn, which is higher than the figure for the corresponding period of 2022 by RUB 47.8 bn, or by 2.8 %, including:

in manufacturing: the volume of shipment amounted to RUB 1,515.4 bn, which is higher than the figure of the similar period of 2022 by RUB 29.7 bn, or 2 %;

in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply: RUB 182.4 bn (RUB +2.3 bn or 1.3 %);

in water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities: RUB 26.7 bn (RUB +1.1 bn, or 4.5 %);

in extraction of minerals: RUB 36.0 bn (RUB +15.2 bn, or 1.7 times).

The largest gain in the volume of shipped products in manufacturing at month-end of January – November 2023 is noted:

– in manufacture of other transport equipment in 1.9 times (RUB 93.3 bn);

– in manufacture of tobacco products by 15.7 % (RUB 142 bn);

– in printing and reproduction of recorded media by 14.4 % (RUB 31.4 bn);

– in manufacture of fabricated metal products by 20.6 % (RUB 58.6 bn);

– in manufacture of electrical equipment by 37.9 % (RUB 39.2 bn);

– in manufacture of food products by 11.2 % (RUB 239.5 bn);

– in repair and installation of machinery and equipment by 26.9 % (RUB 17.3 bn).

The growth in the volume of shipment for the specified industries is caused by recovery of production and growth in demand for manufactured products at the internal market, including due to substitution of import products included in the sanction lists. A significant impact on the growth of shipment indices was also caused by recovery of the volume of production of TVSZ JSC (the enterprise managed to replace foreign components with Russian ones, and a high level of work load of Leningrad ship yards with orders from the Navy of the Russian Federation (Vyborg Shipyard PJSC, Pella LLC, etc.)

Reduction at month-end of January – November 2023 in the volume of shipped products by more than 20 % is noted:

– in manufacture of wood and of products of wood: the volume of shipped goods reduced by 22.5 % and amounted to RUB 19.9 bn;

– in manufacture of furniture by 42.1 % (RUB 5.7 bn);

– in manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers: the volume of shipment reduced by 43.1 % and amounted to RUB 5 bn.

The reduction in shipment is caused by unfavorable market conditions, limitation of exports and exit of large auto groups from the market.

By Order of the Governor of Leningrad Region No. 274/1-рг dated 30.03.2020,
 a joint committee for the determination of strategic organizations of Leningrad Region, regional headquarters for the work with strategic organizations of Leningrad Region were formed, a list of strategic organizations of Leningrad Region of regional significance which have a significant impact on the employment of population and social stability in Leningrad Region was approved, which originally included 79 enterprises and organizations of the region.

As of 01.01.2024, due to updating of the list (as amended by Order of the Governor of Leningrad Region No. 726-рг dated 15.09.2023), the list of strategic organizations of Leningrad Region included 160 organizations.

Specialist government agencies of Leningrad Region, administrations of municipal districts (city district) of Leningrad Region have arranged monitoring of activities of organizations having the most significant impact on the development of relevant sectors of regional economy. The year of 2023 showed the recovery of production and the growth in demand for manufactured products at the internal market, including due to substitution of import products included in the sanction lists.

Creation of conditions for sustainable development of the industry of Leningrad Region is one of the main objectives set for Leningrad Region. In order to implement top priorities in development of the region, work is in progress to improve measures for support of the industry, development of industrial infrastructure, cooperation and export.

Financial measures are provided to support industrial, strategic enterprises, small- and medium-business subjects, enterprises of the agroindustrial complex, as well as social support measures, including support of the labor market.

INVESTMENTS

The attractiveness of Leningrad Region as a territory for stable and successful business operations is confirmed by consistent growth of the volume of investments in equity. Leningrad Region is dynamically developing and continues to occupy leading positions for many indices.

Ratings of the leading Russian rating agencies:

Based on the results of the National Investment Climate Index, Leningrad Region took the 13th place in 2023 and was included
in the list of top 15 leading regions with the most favorable conditions for doing business. 

At the year-end of 2023, according to the results of the quality rating of regulatory impact assessments in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, Leningrad Region is among the regions classified as “the highest-level regions.” 

The activities of the regional Export Support Center in 2023 were rated 12th in Russia.

Based on the results of the annual analytical study of the investment attractiveness of Russian regions based on the ESG principles in 2023, Leningrad Region took the 10th place.

The volume of investments in equity from all sources of financing in 2022 amounted to RUB 567.3 bn, which is 131.3 % as compared to 2021 in comparable prices.

The volume of investments in equity for the full range of enterprises
in January–September 2023 amounted to RUB 421.5 bn (112.9 % as compared to the corresponding period in 2022), for large and medium-sized organizations — RUB 379.4 bn (111.5 %, respectively).

Of the volume of investments in equity of large and medium-sized enterprises in January–September 2023, RUB 201.3 bn (53.1 % of the total investment) were investments in manufacturing. Investments in transportation and storage amounted to RUB 82.3 bn (21.7 % of the total investment) — this is logistics and everything connected with it: modernization and creation of new port infrastructure, construction of hubs, development of new logistics flows, etc.

The main source of financing investments in equity of large and medium-sized organizations in January–September 2023 was represented by attracted funds from organizations (RUB 214,275 mln, or 56.5 % of the total investment), including RUB 23,765 mln raised from budget funds (of which RUB 13,049 mln is from the federal budget, RUB 7,586 mln from the regional budget, RUB 3,131 mln from the local budget). Own funds (RUB 165,175 mln) amounted to 43.5 %.

In terms of the volume of investments in equity among all Russian constituent entities in January–September 2023, Leningrad Region ranks 12th.

 

Key areas of activity in 2022–2023:

1) Providing government support measures.

In 2022, the following regulations were in force in the region, stimulating investment activity and providing preferences to investors:

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 113-оз dated 29.12.2012 on the Regime of State Support for Organizations Carrying Out Investment Activities in Leningrad Region, and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 98-оз dated 25.11.2003 on Corporate
Property Tax;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 52-оз dated 28.07.2014 on the Creation and Development of Industrial Parks in Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 10-оз dated 08.04.2002 on Measures of State Support for Trading Activities within the Territory of Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 89-оз dated 25.11.2019 on Incentive Measures for the Implementation of Regional Investment Projects in Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 44-оз dated 12.04.2021 on Certain Incentive Measures in the Industrial Sector of Leningrad Region
and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 36-оз dated 06.04.2020 on the Application of an Investment Tax Deduction for Corporate Income Tax within the Territory of Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 149-оз dated 24.11.2022
 on Establishing the Tax Rate for Corporate Income Tax for Taxpayers Being Residents of Special Economic Zones Created Within the Territory of Leningrad Region, and on Amending Article
1 of the Regional Law on the Regime of State Support for Organizations Carrying Out Investment Activities in Leningrad Region, and Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Leningrad Region;

– Law of Leningrad Region No. 1-оз dated 11.02.2016 on the Compliance Criteria Established for Social and Cultural and Public Utility Facilities, Large-Scale Investment Projects for the Placement (Implementation) of Which Land Plots are Leased Without Bidding.

By Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 271 dated 16.03.2018 on the Creation of the Territory of Priority Social and Economic Development “Pikalevo,” the territory of priority social and economic development “Pikalevo” (hereinafter referred to as "the Pikalevo TPD") was created within the territory of Pikalevo urban settlement of Boksitogorsk municipal district of Leningrad Region, and the residents of this territory are provided with significant tax benefits on corporate property tax, corporate profit tax, land tax, preferential rates for insurance premiums as well as property support in the form of providing land plots for lease without bidding.

Currently, 4 residents are located within the territory of the
Pikalevo TPD: F. Skrupskoy LLC, PRINCIP NOVO Nursery LLC, Krugliy God LLC, BlokFire LLC.

In accordance with Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation                   No. 949 dated 25.05.2022 and Agreement No. С-138-ДВ/Д14 dated 23.06.2022, concluded between the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of Leningrad Region and the administration of the municipal formation "Kingisepp Municipal District" of Leningrad Region, a special economic zone of the industrial-production type “Ust-Luga” (hereinafter referred to as "the SEZ") was created within the territory of Ust-Luga rural settlement of Kingisepp municipal district of Leningrad Region, and the residents of this zone are provided with a tax benefit on corporate property tax and a tax benefit on corporate profit tax.

In order to ensure the development and effective functioning
of the SEZ, on the basis of Agreement on the Transfer of Powers to Manage
the SEZ No. С-165-ДВ/Д14 dated 09.08.2022, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia transferred certain powers to manage the SEZ to the Government of Leningrad Region, in connection with which the Government of Leningrad Region adopted Decree No. 643 dated 02.09.2022 on the Executive Authorities of Leningrad Region Ensuring the Implementation of Certain Powers Transferred to the Government of Leningrad Region to Manage the Special Economic Zone of the Industrial-Production Type "Ust-Luga" Created Within the Territory of the Municipal Formation "Kingisepp Municipal District" of Leningrad Region.

In order to implement the delegated powers to manage
the SEZ in the manner established by Federal Law
No. 116-FZ on Special Economic Zones in the Russian Federation dated 22.07.2005:

– By Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region No. 659 dated 12.09.2022, an expert council of the SEZ was created; 

– By Order of the Government of Leningrad Region No. 6-р dated 09.01.2023, the list of members of the SEZ supervisory board was approved.

– By Order of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activities of Leningrad Region No. 35 dated 02.11.2022, the Procedure for Maintaining the Register of SEZ Residents and Issuing Extracts Therefrom was approved.

Within the territory of the SEZ IPT "Ust-Luga," the investment project "Construction of an Ethane-Containing Gas Processing Complex" (hereinafter referred to as "the ECGPC") is being implemented, which includes two investment projects: "Gas Chemical Complex as Part of the Ethane-Containing Gas Processing Complex in the Ust-Luga Settlement Area" (hereinafter referred to as "the GCC ECGPC") and "Gas Processing Complex as Part of the Ethane-Containing Gas Processing Complex in the Ust-Luga Settlement Area" (hereinafter referred to as "the GPC ECGPC").

In accordance with Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region No. 659 on the Expert Council of the Special Economic Zone of the Industrial-Production Type "Ust-Luga" dated 12.09.2022, on 22.08.2023, at a meeting of the Expert Council of the SEZ, when considering requests from RusChemAlliance LLC and BCC LLC, in order to obtain a resident status, it was decided to support:

– business plan for the project "Gas Processing Complex as Part of the Ethane-Containing Gas Processing Complex in the Ust-Luga Settlement Area"                                     of RusChemAlliance LLC;

– business plan for the project "Gas Chemical Complex in Ust-Luga"
of BCC LLC.

On 30.08.2023, Agreements No. С1/2023 and No. С2/2023 were concluded
on the implementation of industrial and production activities in the SEZ IPT "Ust-Luga" between the Government of Leningrad Region, the management company, RusChemAlliance LLC and BCC LLC, respectively.

On 01.09.2023, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia made entries on the registration of RusChemAlliance LLC and BCC LLC as residents of the SEZ in the register of SEZ residents, and also issued certificates certifying this registration.

The creation of the SEZ is aimed at increasing the volume of production
and export of non-resource non-energy goods in Leningrad Region
and the Russian Federation and corresponds to the national development goal of the Russian Federation for the period until 2030, as defined by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 474 dated 21.07.2020.

The total volume of tax contributions by residents to the budgets of all levels of the budget system of the Russian Federation from the SEZ should reach RUB 199.1 bn by 2031, insurance premiums — RUB 46.7 bn.

The expected results from the creation of the SEZ at the regional level
in figures are informative and large-scale:

•        increase in gross regional product by more than RUB 300 bn per year;

•        tax revenues for the budget for the period from 2022 to 2048 — RUB 1.48 tln, including from 2022 to 2031 — RUB 21.3 bn (personal income tax);

• tax revenues for the budgets of all levels of the budget system of the Russian Federation from 2022 to 2048 — RUB 2.36 tln.

•        attracting over RUB 2.3 tln of investment to the region for the implementation of investment projects of SEZ residents;

•        creation of more than 5,600 permanent jobs.

In order to conclude agreements on the protection and promotion of investment in Leningrad Region, in accordance with the requirements of Federal Law No. 69-FZ on the Protection and Promotion of Investment in the Russian Federation dated 01.04.2020 (hereinafter referred to as "the APPI") and Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1602 on Agreements for the Protection and Promotion of Investments dated 13.09.2022, the following regulatory legal acts were adopted:

• Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region No. 574
  on Determining the Government Body of Leningrad Region Authorized to Sign Agreements on the Protection and Promotion of Investments on behalf of Leningrad Region dated 17.08.2020;
• Order of the Committee for Economic Development
  and Investment Activities of Leningrad Region No. 203 on the Creation of a Working Group on the Implementation of the Federal Law on the Protection and Promotion of Investments in the Russian Federation dated 24.11.2020 (Order of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activities of Leningrad Region No. 10 dated 22.01.2021 on Amendments to Order of the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activities of Leningrad Region No. 203 dated 24.11.2020 on the Creation of a Working Group on the implementation of the Federal Law on the Protection and Promotion of Investments in the Russian Federation);
• Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region
  No. 209 dated 30.06.2006 on Approval of the Regulations on Assessing the Effectiveness
  and Monitoring of Investment Projects Being Implemented and Accepted for Implementation Which are Financed
  with the Involvement of Funds from the Regional Budget of Leningrad Region;
• Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region
  No. 654 dated 11.10.2021 on Approval of the List of Regulatory Legal Acts of Leningrad Region Which are Applied Taking into Account the Features Established by Article 9 of the Federal Law on the Protection and Promotion of Investments in the Russian Federation;
• Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region
  No. 722 dated 10.10.2022 on Approval of the Procedure for Concluding Agreements
  on the Protection and Promotion of Investments to Which Leningrad Region is a Party and not the Russian Federation, Amending
  and Termination of Such Agreements, Features of the Disclosure of Information about Beneficial Owners of an Organization Implementing an Investment Project;

In 2023, Leningrad Region connected
to the GIS "Capital Investments," through the use of which an APPI was concluded in April 2023 with Dary prirody LLC (a project for the construction of the second stage of a greenhouse complex for the production of fruits and vegetables
in greenhouses with an area of ​​11.5 ha).

At the same time, in July 2023, the region approved the procedure for providing a subsidy from the regional budget of Leningrad Region in order to reimburse costs incurred by an organization implementing an investment project within the framework of an APPI (Decree of the Government of Leningrad Region No. 488 dated 12.07.2023).

 

2) Creation and development of infrastructure to attract investments.

In order to increase the investment attractiveness of Leningrad Region and provide access for organizations and citizens
to complete and up-to-date information on the integrated development of the region territory, the Integrated Regional Information System "Investment Development of the Territory of Leningrad Region" (hereinafter referred to as "the IRIS") was created, which is represented by an interactive map clearly demonstrating the investment advantages of Leningrad Region.

The system enables to obtain visual information about the resource
and infrastructure potential of the region, the location
and characteristics of industrial sites and industrial parks, land resources, select sites to locate production according to the parameters declared by the investor and get an opinion of the State Public Institution "Economic Development Agency of Leningrad Region" on the location of production online, review the plans of government bodies and natural monopoly entities for the creation of engineering and transport infrastructure facilities.

At present, the system contains information about 288 free investment sites in Leningrad Region (including those operating within the territories of industrial parks), 19 industrial parks, 211 investment projects being implemented and planned for implementation, 140 operating enterprises in priority industries, 929 objects of development programs, territories with preferential regimes for business activities (Pikalevo priority development area, special economic zones), port zones (Ust-Luga, Vysotsk, Primorsk), territorial and strategic planning documents of Leningrad Region.

In 2023, in order to develop the IRIS, work was carried out
in the following areas:

– creation of a new layer "Especially valuable productive agricultural land," including part of farmland (beyond the boundaries of populated areas) for which special protection arrangements and limited use have been established;

– creation of a new layer "Electric charging infrastructure
for electric vehicles," including information about 30 electric charging stations with a power of more than 150 kW, created in Leningrad Region as a pilot region in accordance with Order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 3835-р dated 24.12.2021 for the implementation of the federal project "Electric vehicle and hydrogen car" as well as for the purpose of informing and simplifying access of individuals and legal entities to information about available locations of electric charging stations;

–       creation of a new subsection including the layers "Supporting settlements" and "Zones of adjacent territories" and combining information about support settlements, settlements located in adjacent territories, and rural agglomerations of Leningrad Region in order to implement the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period until 2025 and the Strategy for the Social and Economic Development of Leningrad Region until 2030;

–       development of a specialized system for managing investment projects based on the IRIS with access for a limited user community (executive authorities of Leningrad Region) to information about investment projects, including the territory for their implementation, provision of infrastructure facilities, lease without bidding, stages of implementation, etc.

In October 2023, the Non-Profit Organization "National Association of Investment and Development Agencies" recognized the IRIS as the winner of the National Award in the field of investment development of regions "Leaders of Investment Development — 2023."

To learn more about the work of the IRIS map on the Internet please visit
the investment portal of Leningrad Region http://map.lenoblinvest.ru.

 

3) Support of investment projects in the "one-stop" mode.

Since 2013, the Front Office of the Leningrad Region Administration for Interaction with Investors has been operating in the region, which manually accompanies each project being strategic for the region (with an investment amount from RUB 300 mln, RUB 50 mln for remote areas) from a business idea to commissioning. The front office was created on the basis of the State Public Institution "Economic Development Agency of Leningrad Region" being subordinate to the Committee for Economic Development and Investment Activities of Leningrad Region.

The investment portal of Leningrad Region (www.lenoblinvest.ru) is a unified information and analytical center for business support in Leningrad Region. The portal contains up-to-date information about the region"s investment potential, government support measures, success stories, etc.

In order to increase the effectiveness of interdepartmental interaction when working with investors in the region, starting from 2021, the Front Office of the Leningrad Region Administration for Interaction with Investors (State Public Institution "Economic Development Agency of Leningrad Region," hereinafter referred to as "the Agency") has been implementing the priority project "Green Corridor" (hereinafter referred to as "the project," "the system," "the green corridor"), which includes:

1) investor’s account — a "single digital window"
with the ability to receive an enlarged "algorithm of investors' actions"
for the project implementation (hereinafter referred to as "the IA");

2) introduction of a unified standard for working with investors for government authorities at the regional and municipal levels.

The system provides an investor which implements an investment project or plans its implementation in the region with an opportunity to receive full-service support based on the "single digital window" principle online in the IA.

Organizing interaction via IA of all participants guiding an investment project helps to reduce the implementation timeline of the investment project and increase the investment attractiveness of the region.

The Agency also signed an agreement on information exchange with                  Gazprom Gazoraspredelenie Leningrad Region JSC, State Unitary Enterprise "Lenoblvodokanal," LOESK JSC and the regulations for interaction with Rosseti Lenenergo PJSC, within the framework of which an opportunity to obtain preliminary technical specifications at the request of the Agency is issued within 7 business days. In 2023, the first agreement on interaction was concluded with the branch of the Public Non-for-Profit Organization "Roskadastr" in Leningrad Region.

At the same time, at the year-end of 2023, the Agency signed the regulations
on interaction with all 17 municipal districts and the urban district of Leningrad Region, and also approved 18 investment commissioners in the territories to facilitate the receipt of feedback in all areas of the implementation of investment projects within                            7 calendar days.

The project "Green Corridor" was among the nine best Russian practices for supporting investment projects; at the same time, the project was posted for replication in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation on the digital platform of best practices "Smarteka."

In 2023, 220 investment projects were registered in the IA
 with a total investment volume of RUB 3.3 bn, of which in 2023, 121 new investment projects came to be supported by the Agency. Currently, 258 active projects with a total investment volume of RUB 6.5 tln are registered in the IA.

 

4) Interaction with business.

In order to keep an open dialog between government authorities and entrepreneurs on investment issues, the Council for Improving the Investment Climate (hereinafter referred to as "the Council") operates under the Governor of Leningrad Region. At meetings of the Council, requests from investors on issues related to conducting investment activities in Leningrad Region are considered, among other things.

In May 2023, under the chairmanship of the Governor of Leningrad Region, a meeting of the Council was held at the site of the Baltic Car Repair Plant of the Novotrans Group of Companies.

In September 2023, under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman of the Government of Leningrad Region D.A. Yalov, the second meeting of the Council was held within the framework of the Baltic Region Investment Forum — BRIEF 2023.

In December 2023, another update of the list of the Council members was made (Order of the Governor of Leningrad Region No. 1000-рг dated 11.12.2023 on Introducing Amendments to Order of the Governor of Leningrad Region No. 147-рг dated 17.03.2016 on the Formation of a Council to Improve the Investment Climate in Leningrad Region).

 

AGROINDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

 

The agroindustrial complex of Leningrad Region includes 626 enterprises that provide jobs for 31 thous. people. According to the 2021 Agricultural Census, 762 peasant (farm) households and more than 254 thous. personal subsidiary plots are registered in Leningrad Region.

The average monthly salary at the year-end of 2023 will be:

– in agriculture — RUB 62.4 thous. (114.5 % as compared to the level of 2022);

– in the food and processing industry — RUB 69.9 thous. (114.4 % as compared to the level of 2022).

The volume of agricultural production in farms of all categories in 2023 will be about RUB 394.7 bn (RUB +37.4 bn as compared to 2022).

In the structure of gross agricultural output of the region:

– agriculture amounted to RUB 123.9 bn (RUB +4.4 bn as compared to 2022 — RUB 119.5 bn, 2021 — RUB 110.6 bn);

– food and processing industry — RUB 255.8 bn (RUB +31.9 bn as compared to 2022 — RUB 223.9 bn, 2021 — RUB 202.7 bn);

– fishery complex — RUB 15 bn (RUB +1.1 bn as compared to 2022 — RUB 13.9 bn, in 2021 — RUB 12 bn).

 

Agriculture

According to preliminary data, the agricultural production index was about 101 %.

Crop production

Production of crop products

Indicator name	Unit of measurement	2022	2023 forecast	2023 (+;-) as compared to 2022	2023 as compared to 2022, in %
Cereals	thous. tonnes	172.4	156.985	-15.4	91.1 %
Potato		194.2	196.051	+1.85	101 %
Vegetables		180.7	177.29	-3.41	98.1 %
Fruit and berries, (agricultural associations+peasant households)	tonnes	555.1	700.0	+144.9	126.1 %
Mushrooms	thous. tonnes	8.8	8.9	+0.1	101.1

The decrease in the production volumes of cereals and vegetables is caused by weather conditions in 2023 (drought). During May and June of 2023, there was dry weather with virtually no rain. According to the Federal State Budgetary Institution "North-Western Territorial Administration for Hydrometeorological and Environmental Monitoring," the amount of precipitation was significantly lower than the average long-term values: in May, 19 mm of precipitation fell, which is 2.6 times lower than the average long-term values  (50 mm). In the first ten days of June, the situation was similar: almost 2 times less precipitation fell if compared with the average long-term value (precipitation was 11 mm, while the average long-term value was 19 mm). This led to a significant lack of available water in the soil, especially in the southern and south-western areas of Leningrad Region, where the reserves of available water in the tilth-top soil reached less than 10 mm, which is the beginning of the "soil drought" phenomenon.

For the winter stall-feeding period of 2023–2024, the reporting agricultural organizations prepared 299.1 thous. tonnes of feed units or 25.4 centners of feed units of roughage and fruity feeds (without feed grain) per one conditional head
 — 100 % as compared to the plan (25.4 centners of feed units of roughage and fruity feeds) and 140 % as compared to the physiological need (18 centners of feed units of roughage and fruity feeds).

For the 2024 harvest, the following work has been carried out since the fall:

Winter crops sown — 15.451 thous. ha, + 2.205 thous. ha as compared to 2022                 (13.246 thous. ha). 616 thous. tonnes of organic fertilizers were applied to an area of ​​10.4 thous. ha (in 2023, 712 thous. tonnes were applied to an area of ​​15.8 thous. ha). 16.7 thous. ha of fall plowing has been plowed (21.3 thous. ha in 2023).

Cattle breeding

Production of main types of livestock products
in January–December 2023 according to preliminary data:

Indicator name	Unit of measurement	2022	2023 forecast	2023 (+;-) as compared to 2022	2023 as compared to 2022, in %
Farms of all categories
Meat (cattle and poultry slaughtered in live weight)	thous. tonnes	363.1	370.0	+6.9	101.9
Milk		679.1	710.0	+30.9	104.6
Eggs	mln pieces	3,545.1	3,489.6	-55.5	98.4
In agricultural organizations
Milk yield per cow (without SMEs), kg	kg	9,745	10,000	+255	102.6
Hen-day average, pieces	pcs	325	316.8	-8.2	97.5

The decrease in egg production is caused by the modernization of production workshops at Roskar Poultry Farm JSC, which will allow this enterprise to increase egg production volumes in 2025. Households and farmers produced 3.1 % of meat, 5.8 % of milk and 2.1 % of eggs.

 

Food and processing industry

According to preliminary data, the index of production of food and processing industry products amounted to about 107.0 %.

 

Production output by industry players	Unit of measurement	2022	2023	2023 as compared to 2022, in %
Milk processing volume expressed as milk	thous. tonnes	240.3	241.4	100.5
Cheeses and cheese products		1.2	1.4	107.6
Whole-milk products		68.0	75.1	110.4
Fermented-milk products		32.4	35.1	108.3
Meat-processing industry (meat and byproducts)		292.7	297.5	101.8
Sausage products		15.9	19.9	125.8
Bakery and confectionery products		82.6	83.6	101.2
Tea pre-packing		60.5	62.1	102.6
Coffee pre-packing		59.6	62.3	104.5
Alcohol-free beverages	mln L	66.8	67.1	100.4

 

Fishery

The total number of economic entities in the fishing industry in the region is 195, employing about 2,500 people.

According to preliminary data from the Committee for the Agricultural and Fishery Complex of Leningrad Region, for the 12 months of 2023, the volume of production (catch) of aquatic biological resources in all fishing areas amounted to 22.8 thous. tonnes (91.8 % as compared to the level of 2022). Main game fish: Baltic herring, sprat, cod, flounder. The decrease in production indicators is caused by an unfavorable fishing situation in the 26th fishing subarea of ​​the Baltic Sea in the 4th quarter of 2023 in the sprat fishery.

The volume of production (cultivation) of commercial fish farming (aquaculture) products amounted to 13.6 thous. tonnes (101.6 % as compared to the level of 2022). The sales volume of commercial fish farming (aquaculture) products amounted to                              7.2 thous. tonnes (100 % as compared to the level of 2022). The region's commercial fish farms mainly produce rainbow trout (97.9 %), sturgeon, whitefish, carp, claret catfish, lake char, pike perch, and tilapia.

Over the 12 months of 2023, the volume of processing of aquatic biological resources (fish and seafood) amounted to 34.0 thous. tonnes (101.2 % as compared to the level of 2022).

 

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

The transport complex of Leningrad Region is an integral part of the transport system of the Russian Federation, the most important link in the global transport system, which is determined by the following factors:

• favorable transport and geographical position at the intersection of road, rail, water and air routes in the area of ​​international transport corridors;
• adjacency to the borders of the countries of the European Union;
• close integration with St. Petersburg.

The need for transit and intraregional transportation within the territory of Leningrad Region is met due to a developed communications system, including all modes of transport: water, rail, road and air.

The operational length of ground transport communications is as follows:

– public railways — 2.5 thous. km;

– public roads — 22.8 thous. km, including hard surfaced — 79 % (18.0 thous. km).

 

Railway transport

The railway junction of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region provides the bulk of freight and passenger rail traffic in the North-Western Federal District and is one of the largest in the Russian Federation.

The length of public railways in Leningrad Region is more than 2.5 thous. km, of which about 30 % is electrified.

There are 169 railway stations within the territory of Leningrad Region, including: 1 marshalling station (Volkhovstroy), 3 border stations (Ivangorod-Narvsky, Buslovskaya, Svetogorsk), 4 hub stations (Vyborg, Vysotsk, Primorsk and Luzhskaya) as well as more than 200 flag stations.

Passenger transportation by rail is carried out in suburban services as well as by long-distance trains.

The route network of suburban railway transport includes more than 100 routes.

Communication by long-distance trains is carried out mainly through the St. Petersburg railway junction.

The largest volumes of cargo work on railway transport in Leningrad Region are associated with export cargo flows through the seaports of the region. The main cargoes transported are petroleum products, mineral and construction raw materials, and coal.  

Non-surface passenger transport

Non-surface passenger transport in Leningrad Region is represented by the Devyatkino metro station. The station is located in the city of Murino, Murino urban settlement, Vsevolozhsk municipal district, is the final station of the northern direction of the Kirovsko-Vyborg line of St. Petersburg metro and is combined with the railway station with the same name in the Priozersk direction.

Automobile transport

The fleet of individual cars in Leningrad Region is 605.9 thous. units; the car ownership level is higher than in the Russian Federation as a whole and amounts to 327 passenger cars per 1,000 people; this figure has remained almost at the same level over the past 3 years.

Within the territory of Leningrad Region, more than 800 regular bus routes are organized, which serve the population on intermunicipal, intracity and suburban connections. The total length of bus routes is more than 28 thous. km. 

There are more than 2,000 buses of various capacities on the route network in Leningrad Region.

Departure and reception of passengers are carried out at 12 bus terminals (bus stations), and there are more than 3.5 thousand bus stop shelters.

Sea transport

Sea transport plays a key role in the development of the transport and logistics system of Leningrad Region.

The federal seaports of Vyborg, Vysotsk, Primorsk and Ust-Luga are located within the territory of Leningrad Region.

River transport

Inland waterways within the territory of Leningrad Region are represented by a section of the Volga-Baltic Waterway, which provides communication with the Azov, Baltic, White, Caspian and Black Seas.

The basis of inland waterways is represented by the rivers Neva, Svir, Volkhov and Lake Ladoga, Lake Onega as well as the Ladoga canals (along the southern shore of Lake Ladoga).

The total length of inland waterways operated in Leningrad Region is more than 1.8 thous. km; all of them are federal objects.

Air transport

State aviation airfields are located within the territory of Leningrad Region:

– Gromovo, located in the Priozersk municipal district;

– Pribylovo, located in the Vyborg municipal district;

– Sivoritsy, located in the Gatchina municipal district.

There are currently no air transport facilities of regional significance within the territory of Leningrad Region. There are also more than 80 landing sites, some of them are privately owned, some are located within the territory of medical institutions.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

In terms of mobile communications, as of June 30, 2023, more than 250 new base stations were put into operation in Leningrad Region, including those using 4G (LTE) technology.

Due to the commissioning of new base stations and frequency refarming, the mobile communications coverage of the LTE (4G) standard in Leningrad Region increased by more than 1 %.

Mobile operators continue to implement technological projects aimed at optimizing network operation and improving the quality of communications in Leningrad Region.

In terms of fixed communications, the length of fiber-optic communication lines built by Rostelecom PJSC in Leningrad Region from 01.01.2023 to 30.06.2023 was 34.28 kilometers. From 01.01.2023 to 30.06.2023, 8,700 households were connected to the Internet in Leningrad Region.

In terms of digital terrestrial television and radio broadcasting, as of June 30, 2023, 72 digital television and radio broadcasting complexes were used in the regional digital terrestrial television and radio broadcasting network for broadcasting of program packages of the first and second multiplexes and radio programs in analog format within the territory of Leningrad Region.

The coverage of the population of Leningrad Region by broadcasting of a free program package of the first and second multiplexes consisting of 20 federal programs and three radio programs (Radio "Russia", Vesti FM, Radio "Mayak") amounted to: 98.91 % (First Multiplex, RTRS- 1), 96.31 % (Second Multiplex, RTRS-2).

In cooperation with local government bodies of Leningrad Region, the Digital Development Committee of Leningrad Region and the branch of the Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network "St. Petersburg Regional Center," as of June 30, 2023, provided consultations and other assistance on four thousand six hundred and eighty-eight requests from television viewers in the region regarding access and watching of RTRS-1 and RTRS-2 programs.

Regarding postal services, during the period from January 1, 2023, to June 30,                2023, as part of the execution of Order of the President of the Russian Federation No. ПР-1703 dated 11.09.2021, Russian Post JSC repaired and opened 10 postal offices (hereinafter referred to as "the PO") in Leningrad Region, opened or moved three PO to premises with a larger area.

1.      PO Murino 188687, at the address: 22 Shuvalova str., r. 2, Murino, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad Region. Opened on 10.03.2023.

2.      PO Siversky 188332, at the address: 7 Voenny gorodok str., prem. 6 Н, Siversky urban settlement, Gatchina district, Leningrad Region. Moved on 13.03.2023.

3.      PO Kudrovo 188693, at the address: 35 Stroitelei ave., Kudrovo, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad Region. Opened on 17.03.2023.

4.      PO Yanino-Pervoye 188689, at the address: 57 Shosseinaya str., Yanino-1 urban settlement, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad Region. Moved on 27.03.2023.

5.      PO Pudost 188352, at the address: 6 Zaionchkovskogo str., Pudost settlement, Gatchina district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 04.05.2023.

6.      PO Borisova Griva 188672, at the address: 115A Tsentralnaya str., Borisova Griva village, Vsevolozhsk district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 11.05.2023.

7.      PO Kirpichnoye 188861, at the address: 4 Yubileinaya str., Kirpichnoye settlement, Vyborg district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 11.05.2023

8.      PO Razbegayevo 188513, at the address: Razbegayevo village, Lomonosov district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 27.05.2023

9.      PO Tolmachevo 188256, at the address: 31 Prokhorova str., Tolmachevo settlement, Luga district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 01.06.2023.

10.    PO Annino 188505, at the address: 10 Sadovaya str., Annino settlement, Lomonosov district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 03.06.2023.

11.    PO Skreblovo 188273, at the address: 39 Skreblovo village, Luga district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 08.06.2023.

12.    PO Vyborg 188811, at the address: 18 Sudostroitelnaya str., Vyborg, Vyborg district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 10.06.2023.

13.    PO Voiskovitsy 188360, at the address: 17b Manina sq., Voiskovitsy settlement, Gatchina district, Leningrad Region. Repaired on 20.06.2023.

 

CONSTRUCTION

In Leningrad Region in January–May 2023, the volume of work for the type of activity "construction" amounted to RUB 61.9 bn, which in comparable prices is 14.6 % less than for the same period in 2022.

The commissioning of residential buildings in 2023 amounted to 4,186 thous. sq.m, while the plan approved by the federal project "Housing" developed as part of the national project "Housing and Urban Environment" was exceeded by 41.9 %.

In 2023, 60,884 apartments with a total area of 4,186 thous. sq.m were put into operation, including at the expense of citizens’ own funds and with the help of raised funds — 18,812 houses (2,493.0 thous. sq.m).

 

International economic activity

The foreign trade turnover of Leningrad Region in Q3 of 2023 amounted to USD 8,670.8 mln. Decrease in trade turnover by 19.8 %; while exports decreased by 40.0 %, imports increased by 22.8 %. The import coverage ratio by exports is 103 %. In January–September 2023, the trade balance with non-CIS countries was negative, and with the CIS countries it was positive. In Q I and II of 2023, the value volumes of imports exceeded the import volumes in Q I and II of 2022 by 66.3 % and 24.6 %, respectively; in Q III of 2023, the value volumes of imports were less than the volumes of Q III of 2022 by 10.9 %.

Among the constituent entities of the Russian Federation being part of the North-Western Federal District (hereinafter referred to as "the NWFD"), Leningrad Region, based on the results of foreign trade activities (hereinafter referred to as "the FTA") in Q3 2023, ranks second in terms of import volumes (14.8 % of the value volumes of the NWFD), export volumes (12.8 %) and trade turnover (13.7 %).

In Q3 2023, foreign economic activity was carried out by 1,642 FTA participants in Leningrad Region: 1,054 FTA participants exported goods, 894 imported them. January–September 2023 saw an increase in the number of FTA participants, including exporters and importers (in January–September 2022 — 1,342 FTA participants, 820 exported goods, 866 imported goods). The share of the largest FTA participants in the foreign trade turnover of Leningrad Region amounted to 73.1 %.

Trade operations were carried out with partners from 135 countries (in January–September 2022 — from 151 countries). The largest counterparty countries are P.R.C. (23.0 % of trade turnover), Japan (10.0 %), Turkey (9.9 %), Belgium (5.0 %), and the Republic of Belarus (4.4 %). The total trade turnover with these countries amounted to 52.3 % of the total trade turnover of Leningrad Region.

The largest FTA participants in Leningrad Region were the following enterprises: Novatek-Ust-Luga LLC, Baltic Chemical Complex LLC, Philip Morris Izhora JSC, Jacobs Douwe Egberts Rus LLC, Volkhov branch of Apatit JSC, Orimi LLC, Cryogas-Vysotsk LLC, SEB-Vostok Group CJSC, Eurochem North-West-2 LLC, Svetogorsk Pulp and Paper Mill NPJSC.

 

SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

Leningrad Region is one of the leading regions in social and economic development. An important strategic direction of the social and economic development of Leningrad Region is the transition of the regional economy to an innovative path of development.

Currently, Leningrad Region has significant scientific and technical potential the basis of which is formed by academic and university science, industry research institutes, scientific departments of industrial and agroindustrial enterprises, scientific, educational and technology and innovation centers.

Today, the network of educational organizations in Leningrad Region includes 859 organizations, of which 795 are municipal, 64 are state educational organizations, including:

• 367 secondary schools,
• 318 kindergartens (as well as 142 kindergartens in the structure of general education organizations, 2 kindergartens in the structure of additional education organizations, 1 kindergarten based on the PPMS center and 32 private kindergartens),
• 144 additional education organizations,
• 26 professional educational organizations,
• 1 non-standard professional educational organization,
• 1 additional professional education organization,
• 2 higher education organizations.
• Besides, within the territory of Leningrad Region, as
  of January 1, 2024, there are:
• about 30 large and medium-sized scientific organizations, most of them are state academic and industrial research institutes;
• 10 resource centers to promote family structure.
• more than 80 innovatively active enterprises in the production
  and scientific and technical sphere.

Today, within the territory of Leningrad Region there are a number of facilities related to the scientific and innovation complex
and possessing a certain innovative potential. The largest among them are as follows:

• Joint-Stock Company "Poisk Scientific Production Association"
• Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "A.G. Lorkh Federal Potato Research Center"
• Kirov Branch of Open Joint-Stock Company "Oveanpribor Concern"
• Research Institute of Optoelectronic Instrument-Making JSC (NII OEP JSC)
• Research Institute and Engineering Institute for Machinery in Construction Material Industry OJSC (NIIstrommash OJSC)
• Federal State Budgetary Institution "Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute Named by B.P. Konstantinov" (FSBI PNPI)
• Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "I.P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology" of the Russian Academy of Science (InF of the RAS)
• Federal State Unitary Enterprise "A.P. Alexandrov Technology Research Institute" (FSUE "A.P. Alexandro NITI")
• Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Research Institute of Hygiene, Occupational Pathology and Human Ecology"
• of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency (FSUE "RIHOPHE" of the FMBA of Russia)
• Federal State Unitary Enterprise Russian Scientific Center "Applied Chemistry"
• Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Central Research Institute of Constructional Materials "Prometei" Named after I.V. Gorynin of the National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute"

The number of students in general education organizations is 193,663 people.

The number of children in preschool educational organizations is 89,881 people.

The number of students enrolled in secondary vocational education programs is 20.1 thous. people, in higher education programs — 14.5 thous. people.

The number of employees in the education system of Leningrad Region is 46,162 people, including: teaching staff — 25,071 people, teachers — 11,088 people.

The development of the regional education system is carried out in accordance with the goals and objectives established by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 204 dated May 7, 2018, on National Goals and Strategic Objectives of the Development of the Russian Federation for the period until 2024, which are reflected in the activities of the state program "Modern Education of Leningrad Region."

The Government of Leningrad Region is purposefully implementing a personnel policy in the field of education. There is a system of financial support for young specialists, housing acquisition programs are being implemented, and a system of rewarding talented and promising teachers is in place. One of the results of government support was an increase in the number of young specialists.

The material and technical base of general education institutions is developing in accordance with modern requirements. All schools in Leningrad Region are equipped with modern computer equipment and connected to the Internet. The consolidated budget of Leningrad Region for the sector "Education" in 2023 amounted to RUB 63.9 bn; the regional budget of Leningrad Region in the section "Education," taking into account federal budget funds, in 2023 amounted to RUB 41.3 bn.

Over three years, the consolidated budget of Leningrad Region (federal, regional and local) for the sector "Education" increased by 13.5 %, and in 2023 amounted to 20.6 % of the regional budget of Leningrad Region as a whole.

Within the framework of state and municipal programs, including

the terms of co-financing from the federal budget, in Leningrad Region in the academic year of 2022–2023, the construction of 14 educational organizations in 4 municipalities was completed.

Within the territory of Leningrad Region, starting from 2022, the following activities continue:

– construction of a secondary school for 1,175 places in the town of Gatchina, Aerodrom microdistrict. The transfer of utilities, underground structures, monolithic and reinforced concrete structures of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors (walls, columns, floors) has been completed; work has begun on the installation of utilities, roofing, and internal partitions. Construction preparedness: 32 %.

– construction of a secondary school for 1,175 places in the town of Murino. A concession agreement has been concluded. Geodetic work, concreting and reinforcement of floors, walls and columns have been completed. Work is underway to waterproof the walls and install foundation drainage. Construction preparedness: 21 %.

As part of the federal program "Modernization of School Education Systems," 4 schools opened after major repairs in 2023, and the renovation of 4 preschool education institutions was completed.

At the moment, work continues on the renovation of 3 schools
and 4 kindergartens:

As part of the state program of Leningrad Region "Modern Education in Leningrad Region," in 2023, work on the overhaul of 16 sports stadiums in 7 municipalities was completed.

On September 1, 2023, 22 centers of education in natural sciences
and technology "Growth Point" were opened; in 2024,
72 more centers will be created. A total of 191 such centers will operate in the region.

In 2023, new classrooms and workshops were created in 1 state educational organization for children with disabilities (over the previous 3 years, classrooms were renovated in 13 state educational organizations implementing adapted educational programs, and modern training workshops were created).

On September 1, 2023, a new school Quantorium
was opened on the basis of Municipal Budgetary General Education Institution "Murino Secondary School No. 3." In total, by 2024 it is planned
that 9 stationary and 1 mobile children’s technology park "Quantorium" will operate in the region.

On September 1, 2023, the center of digital education
for children "IT Cube" was also opened on the basis of Municipal Education Institution "Engineering and Technology School" in the settlement of Novogrelovo. In 2024, it is planned to open such center in Secondary School No. 8 in Volkhov.

Leningrad Region is one of the first regions to participate in the implementation of the federal project "Professionalism" at its launch.
In 2022 in Leningrad Region, as part of the project, an educational and production center (cluster) for the chemical industry was created on the basis of State Budget Professional Educational Institution of Leningrad Region "Kingisepp College of Technology and Service," which included the largest enterprise in the chemical industry of the region, Phosphorit Industrial Group LLC, and 6 vocational education institutions. Over                600 students study under the updated "Professionalism" programs. In 2024, as part of the implementation of the federal project "Professionalism," an educational center (cluster) in the field "Art and Creative Industry" will be created on the basis of AEI HE LR "State Institute of Economics, Finance, Law and Technology." Students will be able to undergo training in the following specialties: tailor, design, sewing equipment operator, economics and accounting, arts and crafts and folk crafts.

It is planned to create new educational and production clusters
in 2025 in the industries "Mechanical Engineering," "Nuclear Energy," "Construction." By the end of 2026, it is planned to cover all professional educational organizations in the region with a network of educational and production clusters.

The implementation of championship movements ("Professionals," "Abilympics," "High-Tech Championship") continues.

Based on the results of the competitions, 11 people won the finals of the National Championship
of Professional Skills among Disabled People and People with Disabilities "Abilympics." Leningrad Region took the 6th place in the ranking among 64 regions of the country.

 

Culture, Local Traditions

Today, the cultural sector of Leningrad Region is a wide network of state and municipal institutions:

– theaters — 5 (5 regional);

 – museums — 42 (36 regional; 6 municipal);

 – concert organizations — 2 (2 regional: SBIC LR "Metelitsa Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments," SBIC LR "Symphony Orchestra of Leningrad Region");

 – cultural and leisure institutions — 360 (4 regional; 356                                     municipal);

 – libraries — 384 (2 regional; 382 municipal);

 – cinema and video service institutions — 24 (1 regional, 9 municipal, 14 — others);

 – educational institutions — 73 (1 regional: SBPEI "Leningrad Regional College of Culture and Art"; 72 municipal);

 – culture and recreation parks — 2 (1 regional, 1 municipal);

The number of participants in club formations (amateur groups and amateur associations) reached 5,768 units, with 120,003 participants. Over 70 thousand cultural events were held.

The number of municipal children's art schools remains stable. The student population is 23,322 people.

At the year-end of 2023, the number of visits to cultural events in Leningrad Region amounted to 25,790,994 people, which is 5,890 thous. more than in 2022 and exceeds the planned value by 7,785 thous.

 

TOURIST AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Leningrad Region is located in the north-west of Russia and is
part of the North-Western Federal District. The region neighbors three regions — Vologda, Pskov and Novgorod, the Republic of Karelia, the city of St. Petersburg and two countries — Finland and Estonia.

Leningrad Region has a great cultural and tourist potential for the development of both traditional types of tourism and new destinations.

Cultural and educational, environmental, event, water, active, children's, religious, military and patriotic, gastronomic types of tourism as well as ethno-tourism are actively developing in the region.

Up-to-date information about the region's attractions, accommodation and food facilities, routes, news and the calendar of events for the current year are posted at the official tourist portal of Leningrad Region www.lentravel.ru.

 

Tourist potential of Leningrad Region:

• 23 sites under UNESCO protection;
• over 5,200 cultural heritage sites;
• 2 palace and park ensembles;
• 6 medieval fortresses;
• 12 monasteries;
• over 250 churches;
• 186 estates;
• 750 monuments of military glory;
• there are 42 museums;
• 336 routes, of which 3 are national tourist routes;
• about 300 significant events are held annually;
• it is washed by the Gulf of Finland and has an extensive lake-river system. The total length of all rivers in Leningrad Region is about 50 thous. km. There are about 1,800 lakes in the region, including the largest in Europe — Lakes Ladoga and Onega. There are 4 waterfalls and 9 caves within the territory.
• 53 operating protected areas.

 

Tourism infrastructure in the region:

Accommodation means. Within the territory of Leningrad Region there are over 930 collective accommodation facilities with a room capacity of more than 15,800, the number of beds is 66,485, including: 407 country hotels, tourist centers, recreation centers; 199 city hotels (hotels); 56 hostels; 20 campsites; 38 glampings; 99 rural guest houses; 19 resort hotels, sanatoriums, holiday homes, recreation centers, boarding houses; 97 accommodation facilities for recreation, health improvement
and leisure activities for children and youth (including children's recreation camps).

The load factor of collective accommodation facilities is quite high due to comfortable conditions and the possibility of year-round operation (70 % on average per year, for some facilities — up to 80 %). During the New Year holidays, May holidays and summer holidays, the occupancy volume of these collective accommodation facilities is very high (over 85 %). The most popular accommodation facilities are located in Vyborg, Gatchina, Priozersk and Vsevolozhsk.

One of the popular means of accommodation in Leningrad Region is represented by campings and glampings. The annual popularity of this type of accommodation is supported by a high level of demand among tourists. On average, the booking depth for these facilities is 3–4 months. According to the statistics, there are 75 such facilities in the region, of which: 7 tent camping sites, 13 providing comprehensive accommodation, 52 glamping sites and 3 car camping sites.

The main areas of concentration of facilities: Volkhov — 2, Vsevolozhsk — 6, Vyborg — 18, Gatchina — 4, Kingisepp — 2, Kirov — 1, Lodeinoye Pole — 1, Lomonosov — 7, Luga — 3, Priozersk — 29, Slantsy — 1, Sosnovy Bor urban district — 1.

There are 7 modern ski resorts in the region: Golden Valley, Igora, Red Lake, Okhta-Park, Snezhny, Northern Slope, Tuutari Park.

The ski resorts of Leningrad Region are designed for an all-season format for receiving tourists, which allows for active leisure for residents and guests of Leningrad Region throughout the year.

There are also several equipped ski slopes in Vsevolozhsk district: Azure Lakes and SC "Yukki."

There are 1,456 catering arrangements in the region, including 201 restaurants, 1,080 cafes and 175 canteens.

Transport services for tourists in Leningrad Region are provided by road, rail and water transport.

Tourist navigation. Installation of tourist navigation signs is part of the work aimed at creating a favorable information environment for tourists. From 2014 to 2023, in order to inform residents and guests of Leningrad Region about the location of tourist resources, 785 tourist navigation signs were installed.

In 2023, 9 tourist navigation signs were installed within the territory of Leningrad Region in Vsevolozhsk, Kingisepp, Kirishi and Tikhvin districts to attractions in Leningrad Region.

Leningrad Region is actively participating in the implementation of the tourism territorial project "Development of a Scheme for a Tourism Territorial Project (Master Plan) for the Development of a Macro-territory until 2035" (hereinafter referred to as "the Project") as part of the formation of a federal tourism interregional scheme for territorial and spatial planning of a macro-territory "From Moscow to
Saint Petersburg."

As part of the Project, an investment strategy for the development of tourism infrastructure in Leningrad Region has been developed, growth points for tourism infrastructure in the region have been identified, and land plots have been selected that are located at the growth points for tourism infrastructure and have a potential for developing investment proposals.

To date, 2 priority territories have been identified
for the location of all-season resorts within the territory of Leningrad Region in the attraction zones for tourists "Tikhvin" and "Kurgalsky Reserve."

 

Grant support

In order to ensure the implementation of the activities of the federal (regional) project "Development of Tourism Infrastructure," as part of the ongoing competitive selection for the provision of subsidies in 2023 from the federal budget for the implementation of projects for 2023 in the following areas:

1)      Support for public initiatives for the creation of modular non-capital accommodation facilities — 12 projects.

Subsidies are provided for the creation of modular non-capital accommodation facilities, camping accommodation facilities, campsites as well as for the purchase of camping tents and other types of equipment used for organizing stays (overnight), arrangement of residential and recreational areas, equipment of sanitary facilities, provision of access for persons with disabilities, creation of a visual information and navigation system in Leningrad Region.

2)      State support for the development of tourism infrastructure — 8 projects.

In this area, subsidies have been provided for the arrangement of beaches and national tourist routes.

3)      Support for the implementation of public initiatives aimed at developing tourism infrastructure — 16 projects.

An emphasis is laid on creating a barrier-free tourist environment, purchasing tourist equipment, creating and developing active tourist routes.

Investment projects in these areas will be implemented in 2024.

 

Investment projects to create modular non-capital accommodation facilities

In May 2023, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, within the framework of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry," organized a competitive selection among the constituent entities of the Russian Federation within the territories of which it is planned to implement investment projects for the creation og modular non-capital accommodation facilities to be implemented in 2023–2024.

Leningrad Region won the competitive selection of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation for the creation of modular non-capital accommodation facilities.

To implement 10 investment projects for the construction of camping and glamping sites in Leningrad Region, funds were allocated from the federal and regional budgets.

Due to the above-mentioned funding, within the framework of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry," the number of rooms in collective accommodation facilities in Leningrad Region will increase by more than 300 rooms.

 

Interregional historical, cultural and tourism project "Silver Necklace of Russia"

Leningrad Region takes an active part in the implementation of a large-scale interregional project "Silver Necklace of Russia." The committee has developed 13 main routes being united by theme and territory.

The project is presented on an ongoing basis at various historical, cultural and tourist events, conferences, exhibitions, and forums. Branded booklets are produced with the project logo and images of attractions.

Together with Non-Profit Partnership "National Association of Tourism Information Organizations," an advertising campaign (tourist digests and quizzes) is being realized on the Internet and in social media, which is aimed at popularizing travel along the routes of the Silver Necklace of Russia project.

Youth Educational Forum "Ladoga" 2023

From September 4 to September 10, 2023, the Youth Educational Forum of the North-Western Federal District "Ladoga" (hereinafter referred to as "the Forum," "Ladoga") was held for the 15th time in Luga district, Leningrad Region. This is the largest youth event in the north-west of Russia. In 2023, the main theme of the Forum was the development of domestic tourism, the unifying theme being the Silver Necklace of Russia project. Within the framework of the forum, there were 7 thematic platforms on cultural and educational industrial, scientific, Arctic, spiritual and educational, active and adventure, environmental and rural historical and patriotic types of tourism. Participants of the Forum were young people from the North-Western Federal District.

During the Forum, they discussed ideas for creating new routes and events taking into account the interests of youth, the formation of project proposals and products available to youth; worked on making changes to existing projects and routes taking into account the interests of young people; formation of the brand concept of the North-Western Federal District as an attractive territory for youth travel and renewal of the Silver Necklace of Russia brand.

 

Quest "Silver Necklace of Russia" at the international exhibition and forum "Russia"

At the international exhibition and forum "Russia" in Moscow
in 2023, specialists from Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg developed and presented a quest along the tourist route "Silver Necklace of Russia."

The trip covers 11 regions of the North-West. The goal of the quest is to enhance the attractiveness of the entire exposition of the North-Western Federal District and to promote the macro-region. With the help of a tourist passport and virtual tasks, participants can get to know the project regions better and receive a memorable gift. A tourist trip to one of the regions of the North-West was raffled off among the most active participants.

 

Routes of Leningrad Region

Three national tourist routes pass through the territory of Leningrad Region, two of which were approved by the expert council of Rostourism upon submission of the Committee's application and obtained the status of national tourist routes (route "History and Mysteries of Medieval Vyborg"; "Sovereign Road"; "Grand Tour. All Karelia," passing through Leningrad Region).

The national route "History and Mysteries of Medieval Vyborg" lasting for two days with a length of 324 km was developed within the framework of the interregional tourism project "Silver Necklace of Russia"; it introduces tourists to the city of Vyborg — the only Western European medieval city in Russia. Narrow streets of the old city, preserved fortifications, (Vyborg Castle, Round Tower, Panzerlaks Bastion, Burger's Estate) allow tourists to plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and at the same time of the modern city.

Another national route is the tract "Sovereign Road" built by order of Peter the Great and connecting St. Petersburg and Moscow (the route unites four regions: Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver and Moscow Regions). Part of the route passes through travel palaces, refectories, postal stations, and trading shops located in Leningrad Region (2 days 165 km). Royal carriages and carts of the sovereign's advisers passed along this road. Traveling along this path today, you can feel like an aristocrat at Maryino Estate or visit the travel "small shop" in the Tosno Local History Museum.

The national route "Grand Tour. All Karelia," with a length of more than 1,100 km, is dedicated to the culture of the Karelians and Vepsians. During the trip, tourists are invited to hear legends about the creation of the Earth and examine the patterns of marble rocks around Lake Ladoga. The route passes through Lodeinoye Pole district of Leningrad Region.

As part of the implementation of interregional projects in Leningrad Region, regional and interregional routes are being developed and promoted. A total of 336 routes have been developed throughout the region, including:

"Silver Necklace of Russia" (13 routes) is an interregional tourism project consisting of a set of routes (products) uniting ancient historical cities (territories), regional centers, large settlements of the North-West of Russia where unique historical and cultural monuments have been preserved as well as natural sites, including those included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The project "Russian Estates" (10 routes) includes cultural and educational routes that pass through the most beautiful places of Leningrad Region, against the background of picturesque nature where the estates and country houses of famous historical figures who lived in Leningrad Region are located.

The implementation of the project of tourist excursion trips for schoolchildren and students "My Native Land is Leningrad Region" (6 routes), which was initiated for implementation in our region by the Governor of Leningrad Region in 2017, continues.

The tourism project "Life of Remarkable People" (10 routes) is dedicated to outstanding people who lived in the region and talks about famous personalities and at the same time introduces memorable places of the region associated with the pages of their biography. There are 5 main areas: Culture, Literature, Science, History and Industrialists. One of the important features of the project is its modularity, which allows you to create interregional routes united by the theme "Life of Remarkable People."

The interregional tourism project "Red Route"
(3 routes) is a cultural and educational grand tour with visits to places associated with the professional activities of V.I. Lenin along the route Moscow—St. Petersburg—Leningrad Region—Kazan—Ulyanovsk. The project is aimed at tourists from China.

The project "Lighthouses of Leningrad Region" (5 routes) includes a set of routes that unite navigation system facilities located within the territory of Leningrad Region — lighthouses. The project routes: Western, Northern, Eastern and Road of Life, introduce you to unique architectural structures — lighthouses, with their rich and interesting history.

 

Types of tourism:

 

Eco-tourism

Since 2020, the priority project "Velo 47" has been implemented in Leningrad Region. The objective of the project is to build mechanisms for regional and municipal work to develop cycling infrastructure, cycling movement and cycling culture in Leningrad Region by 2024.

As part of the project, following a competitive selection among municipalities of Leningrad Region, bicycle paths were created in Volkhov, Vsevolozhsk, Vyborg and Gatchina. In 2023, during the celebration of the region's birthday, the Governor of Leningrad Region, Aleksandr Drozdenko, opened a bicycle path in the town of Tosno.

In 2024, it is planned to build a bicycle path in the settlement of Fedorovskoye (Tosno district).

In 2025, a bicycle path will appear in the capital of the annual regional festival "Smelt is Coming!" — in Novaya Ladoga (Volkhov district).

In 2026, the construction of the next stage of the VOL-ECO bicycle route in Volkhov will continue.

Traditionally, Leningrad Region hosts a regional conference of the project "Velo 47" which brings together representatives of different levels of government, business and public organizations.

Besides, in Leningrad Region, a series of thematic bike rides are held annually, timed to coincide with mass events in the region.

 

Water tourism in Leningrad Region

The region's water resources allow water tourism to actively develop. Three main activities are popular among tourists: cruise, yacht (sail-motor) and hiking tourism (using non-motorized watercraft).

Cruise travel is arranged on Lake Ladoga as well as on the largest rivers (Neva, Volkhov, and Svir).

Leningrad Region and other regions are connected by a network of cruise routes, which are very popular among tourists. The following routes pass through the region:

–         to Valaam Island (with stops on Orekhovy Island, Konevets Island, in Priozersk);

–         to Kizhi Island (with stops on Orekhovy Island, in Lodeinoye Pole, Svirstroy, Mandrogi, Podporozhye);

–         to the city of Arkhangelsk through the Solovetsky Islands (with stops
in Shlisselburg, Mandrogi, in Svirstroy);

–         to the city of Veliky Novgorod (with stops in Staraya Ladoga, Kirishi);

–         to the city of Moscow (with stops in Staraya Ladoga, Mandrogi, Svirstroy);

–         to the city of Astrakhan via Nizhny Novgorod (with stops in Lodeinoye Pole, Svirstroy).

In 2023, cruise programs with visits to the town of Vyborg were launched for the first time. The cruise ship "Mustai Karim" made five voyages in summer calling at Vyborg. This route connects St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, the Republic of Karelia and Vologda Region.

One of the most popular destinations among tourists is now a cruise to the village of Upper Mandrogi, which had 285 ship calls (53,988 people) in 2023, and Konevets Island, where 300 ship calls were made (38,095). 65 ship calls (13,914 people) were made in Lodeinoye Pole; Svirstroy — 148 ship calls (31,063 people); Staraya Ladoga — 98 ship calls (18,508 people).

Most passenger berths in Leningrad Region were built near objects of cultural and historical significance; the construction of passenger berths in memorable and historical places has a positive effect on the tourism industry of the region.

In recent years, passenger berths have been built in Leningrad Region in: Staraya Ladoga, Kirishi, Orekhovy Island (near the Oreshek fortress), Nevskaya Dubrovka, Kirovsk (near the reserve museum "Breakthrough the Siege of Leningrad" on the Neva River). Mooring facilities were also built on Konevets Island and in Vladimirskaya Bay to ensure the delivery of pilgrims and tourists to the Konevets Monastery of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Yacht tourism is developing within the territory of Leningrad Region; there are more than 70 berthing structures for mooring small vessels in the region. Rental services for boats and yachts as well as services for receiving, mooring, refueling and storing small vessels are provided by more than 10 yacht clubs and a yacht port in the settlement of Sovetsky, Vyborg District.

Travel companies organize trips on boats, motor boats and yachts along Vyborg Bay, Ladoga skerries and islands. Water tourism with non-motorized watercraft is also one of popular activities. Tourists are offered specialized routes of various complexity for traveling on yawls, kayaks, canoes and baidarkas. Most opportunities for river rafting are in Priozersk district of Leningrad Region: the water system of the Vuoksi River with Losevsky rapids and Tiver runways, Lake Yastrebinoye. Sailing and hiking on boats and kayaks along the rivers are offered by active recreation centers in Vyborg, Luga and Gatchina districts.

In addition, the extensive river network within the territory of Leningrad Region provides an opportunity for the development of such type of active water tourism as stand-up surfing. A popular route for a long rafting with actively developing SUP surfing is a section of the Oredezh River in Gatchina district between the settlements of Siversky and Novosiverskaya; the length of the route is about 10 km.

 

Military and patriotic tourism

Military and patriotic tourism involves visiting places of military battles, memorials, museums of history and local history and serves as a means of reconciliation and strengthening the unity and friendship of peoples and patriotic education of citizens.

In the last millennium, the territory of Leningrad Region has been the scene of bloody battles and wars that sometimes lasted for decades. Every inch of land keeps the memory of those difficult times. Today there are more than 800 monuments of military glory in the region. In Leningrad Region there are war monuments included in the UNESCO list of cultural heritage — Green Belt of Glory, Road of Life, etc. The task of preserving, maintaining in perfect order and developing these monuments is one of the main directions of work for the Government of Leningrad Region.

The most visited facilities of military and patriotic tourism are the monuments "Road of Life," the museum "Breakthrough the Siege of Leningrad," the memorial "Nevsky Piglet," the military memorial "Sinyavinsky Heights," monuments of the complex of memorial structures "Green Belt of Glory," etc.

In pursuance of the Orders of the President of the Russian Federation and as part of preparation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade, the implementation of measures to modernize the memorial landscape complex "Road of Life" has begun in Leningrad Region.

A committee with the participation of experts from St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture has developed five thematic routes along the Road of Life for different social groups and age categories of tourists, including people with disabilities.

The route "Road of Life" includes visits to places reflecting the main events associated with the heroic defense of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War. The route runs along the land part of the Road of Life, and further to the places of evacuation of Leningraders to the town of Tikhvin and can continue in Vologda Region.

The route for children "Road of Life — Road to the Future" is built on the basis of playful excursion practice in the form of a quest with completing tasks at each object of survey.

The route for families "Road of Life — Road of Memory of Generations" was developed taking into account the interest of both adult participants and children. Parents and children will have an opportunity to feel like a real team; they will feel how important the support of loved ones and family and continuity are in life.

The route for veterans "Road of Life — Road of Memory" is aimed at large and small groups and is dedicated to memorable dates associated with the Great Patriotic War and the siege of Leningrad. The route is presented in the form of an interactive program "Stories from a Duffel Bag" where the guide engages veterans in a reminiscence dialog.

The route for young people "Road of Life — Road of the Brave" is designed for independent travel and is designed to get acquainted with the objects. It is realized in the form of quest tasks which participants receive from the group leader before each object on the route.

The route for athletes "Road of Life — Road of the Strong" is designed as a walking, or cycling, or skiing trip and is designed for several days with an overnight stay.

Chidlren's tourism

Particular attention in Leningrad Region is paid to children's tourism. The following projects are being implemented in the region:

The project of tourist and excursion trips for schoolchildren and students of Leningrad Region "My Native Land is Leningrad Region" has been implemented since 2017 at the initiative of the Governor of Leningrad Region. During the existence of the project, over 20 thousand students from Leningrad Region took part in it, including 242 children with disabilities. In 2023, 3,291 students took part in the project.

As part of the project, schoolchildren travel for free to areas of Leningrad Region different from their place of residence. The visited objects and the trips offered to schoolchildren are connected by thematic unity. In 2023, children made trips along 6 thematic routes: "Literary Adventures in Gatchina District," "Road of Life — Battle for Leningrad," "Stone Guards of the North-West of Russia" (Sosnovy Bor, Ivangorod, Gatchina), the popular scientific route "Sovereign Road," "For the Glory of the Fatherland" (with visits to the tourist sites of Staraya Ladoga, Tikhvin, the Road of Life), "On the Northern Borders" (Priozersk, Losevo, Berezovo).

The federal project "Increasing the Accessibility of Tourism Products" is being implemented within the framework of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality Industry" and is aimed at increasing the accessibility and popularization of tourism for school-age children.

As part of the implementation of the corresponding regional project within the territory of Leningrad Region, students of Grades 5–9 of general education institutions of Leningrad Region who study at additional education organizations have an opportunity to travel free of charge throughout Leningrad Region. The duration of a trip is at least 24 consecutive hours, hotel accommodation and meals are provided. In 2023,                           3,800 schoolchildren went on tourist trips using the social certificate mechanism along 26 routes, including visits to tourist attractions in Leningrad Region. The schoolchildren visited the famous Road of Life, the Vyborg Castle, the Great Gatchina Palace, the Priory Palace and other attractions.

As part of the federal project "Creative People" of the national project of the Russian Federation "Culture," in 2023 trips were implemented along 6 routes for 463 schoolchildren from Leningrad Region. From 2019 to 2023, over 6.5 thousand people took part in the project.

The project provides for the participation of children from Leningrad Region (winners of various competitions and olympiads, orphans, children in difficult life situations) in cultural and educational programs outside the region.

The educational tourism project "Live Lessons" has been implemented since 2017. During the existence of Live Lessons, over 13.8 thousand children took part in the project. In 2023, the number of participants was 2,563.

The project has been introduced into the educational process of schoolchildren in Leningrad Region and includes more than 40 routes covering diverse places of interest in the region, such as cultural and historical attractions, natural sites, museums, and industrial enterprises of Leningrad Region. The routes are differentiated by age groups of schoolchildren, disciplines as well as by the format of children's involvement — an interactive excursion, a lesson-excursion.

 

Event tourism in Leningrad Region

In 2023, 7 large-scale events were held to promote the tourism potential of Leningrad Region: gastronomic festival "Smelt is Coming!" (May 13 in Novaya Ladoga, Volkhov district); regional Pushkin holiday (June 3 in Gatchina district); tourist motorcycle festival "Baltic Rally" (July 20–23 in Vyborg); music festival "Smoke Above Water. From Classics to Rock" (July 29 in Gatchina); gastronomic festival "Kaleidoscope of Taste" (August 5 in Tosno); historical festival "To the Origins of Rus'" (August 12 in Staraya Ladoga, Volkhov district); annual tourist trip for the title "Tourist of Leningrad Region" (September 7–10, Luga district).

In order to promote and popularize event tourism in the region, an event calendar is formed annually, which includes information about festive events, folklore festivals, fairs, and master classes. The event calendar is published at the official tourist portal of Leningrad Region www.lentravel.ru, the National Tourism Portal russia.travel, the National Calendar of Events eventsinrussia.com. of the Lastochka electric train

 

Ethnographic tourism

Ethnographic tourism involves introducing tourists
to the history, culture and life of the indigenous peoples of our region as well as
to folk arts and crafts. Leningrad Region is a unique land inhabited by peoples of different cultures: Russians, Karelians, Vepsians, Izhorians, Votians, Finns, etc. In the eastern areas of the region, folk crafts, song, music and dance culture of the indigenous peoples of Leningrad Region have been preserved, which determines a high potential for the development of ethnographic tourism in the region.

In 2023, the Committee took part in organizing and conducting events aimed at supporting and ethnocultural development of the Finno-Ugric peoples of the Russian Federation living in Leningrad Region.

The gastronomic festival "Kaleidoscope of Taste" was held in August                   2023, where dishes of the indigenous peoples of Leningrad Region and gastronomic brands of the region were presented, offering a whole kaleidoscope of a wide variety of treats, such as Karelian wicket, pike perch a la Izhora, dessert "Vepsian Treat" and so on.

The Committee provides information support for objects of cultural and educational tourism and ethnographic events by posting information about ethnographic museums, attractions, places of traditional existence of the Finno-Ugric peoples of Leningrad Region, tourist routes and events at the official tourist portal of Leningrad Region lenrtavel.ru, at the National Tourist Portal Russia.travel.

 

Gastronomy tourism

Leningrad Region is a territory with long gastronomic traditions, famous for its gastronomic brands.

One of the gastronomic brands in our region with a rich history and even its own legends is the Vyborg pretzel. The unique pretzel recipe has been known since the 14th century — since the appearance of Franciscan monks in the town of Vyborg. Another bright gastronomic symbol of Leningrad Region is smelt — a small silvery fish with a characteristic smell of cucumbers, caught in April–May in clean and fresh waters of Lake Ladoga. Leningrad smelt is popular not only in Leningrad Region, but is also becoming famous throughout Russia. In honor of this fish, since 2019, the festival "Smelt is Coming!" has been held annually in Novaya Ladoga, which immediately became one of the brightest and largest events in the region.

The gastronomic symbol of Leningrad Region is known throughout Russia — Koporye tea. In the 19th century, Koporye tea was widespread in Russia. However, the first producers collected herbs to make Koporye tea (rose bay) near the village of Koporye in Lomonosov district of Leningrad Region. That is why the name "Koporye tea" appeared.

The gastronomic symbol of the town of Ivangorod, Kingisepp district, is Ivangorod lamprey caught in the Narova River. Cafes and restaurants in the town of Ivangorod offer smoked, fried and marinated, pickled and other options for preparing Ivangorod lamprey.

Gastronomic Guide to Leningrad Region.

In 2023, the first regional gastronomic guide "Geography Ad Gustum. Leningrad Region" was published.

During the summer of 2023, the project team traveled more than 2,000 km across Leningrad Region and selected the best (51) restaurants and cafes, farms, agritourism facilities and local production facilities of gastronomic brands in Leningrad Region. The guide contains 44 recipes from chefs. The guide team also selected the best hotels and routes that they present in the guide. Based on the results of the trip, a colorful and informative tourist and gastronomic guide was published. All information in the guide is duplicated at the Internet portal "Geography Ad Gustum" (https://geonv.ru/), where it is systematized
by regions of already published guides. The guide was created with funds of a grant from the Governor of Leningrad Region as part of the project "Geography Ad Gustum. Leningrad Region" of the Leningrad regional public organization for promoting the development of cultural, historical, natural and tourist potential of the region "Territory."

 

Guide certification

In 2022, the implementation of activities to certify tour guides began in Leningrad Region.

The state service for "Certification of Tour Guides (Guides), Guides-Translators" is provided by the Committee. A certification commission has been formed. A convenient application process for citizens has been organized (through the public service portal and in person).

In 2023, the certification commission received 136 applications from tour guides (guides) wishing to conduct excursions in Leningrad Region; 81 tour guides were certified. Including: 1 guide-interpreter, 5 interregional tour guides (in St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region), 75 guides in Leningrad Region. Now they work on routes in Vyborg, Gatchina, Staraya Ladoga, Lodeinoye Pole, Tikhvin and other cities and towns of Leningrad Region. In accordance with the provisions of federal legislation, from July 1, 2024, tour guides (guides), guides-interpreters may carry out their activities only if they are certified.

 

Tourist awards of Leningrad Region in 2023

Representatives of Leningrad Region received five awards in the finals of the International Award in the field of event tourism, Russian Event Awards.

Tourist events in Leningrad Region won two highest awards (grand prix) and two prizes, and the town of Vyborg got a special award from the foundation board.

– National event of 2023 Grand Prix Motorcycle Rally Baltic Rally on the route Vyborg—Vladivostok—Vyborg;

– special nomination of the foundation board of the award "City/Town of Event Tourism" — the town of Vyborg;

– Best tourist event in the field of sports Grand Prix — Gathering of HMB of Russia, the Russian national physical culture and sports public organization of historical medieval battles of Russia, Vyborg;

– Best accommodation facility for holding a tourist event 3rd award — Apple Feast of the Saviour at Maryino Estate, Tosno district;

– Best tourist event of historical orientation 3rd award — Historical Festival Medieval Days in Vyborg, Vyborg United Museum-Reserve;

According to the results of the National Award "Mountains of Russia," the Golden Valley Ski Resort became a finalist in the nomination "Ski Tourism Region" of the III Russian Travel Award in the nomination — Best Ski Resort in Russia in the North-Western Federal District.