Karelian journalist Natalia Plekanchuk became a finalist of the MediaPole National Award

Our colleague Natalia Plekanchuk was among the finalists of the MediaPole National Information Projects Award in 2026. This prestigious event, held by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation within the framework of the state program "Integrated Development of Rural Areas", will bring together 120 authors from all over the country in St. Petersburg on November 2-3.

Natalia Plekanchuk, who is the head of the Center for Competences in the field of agriculture, has been successfully conducting a program dedicated to life outside the major cities of Karelia for ten years. Her materials cover a wide range of topics: from rural development and farming to folk crafts, unique nature and stories of people who devote their lives to the development of the village.

The national award “MediaPole” is designed to recognize authors who create media content that forms a positive and modern image of the Russian village, highlights achievements in the agro-industrial complex, popularizes rural tourism and tells about people transforming suburban areas. This year, more than 2,000 applications from participants from different regions of Russia were submitted for the award, and only 120 of the best works were selected for participation in the final.

The applicants’ works were evaluated by an authoritative expert commission, which included representatives of the media sphere, public figures and leaders of the agrarian industry. The final of the award in St. Petersburg will provide an opportunity for the best authors to exchange experiences, discuss current approaches to the creation of media materials, find new topics for future publications and get acquainted with the work of leading media centers.

Natalia Plekanchuk’s entry into the final of the award is not only a personal achievement, but also a recognition of the high level of journalism in the Republic of Karelia, as well as the importance of topics related to the development of the village, which she successfully covers.

We are all proud of our colleagues.