Shakalov Ilya Igorevich

The victory of Ilya Igorevich Shakalov in the competition “Leaders of Public Diplomacy” is recognition of systematic work in which international cooperation ceases to be an abstract concept and turns into concrete agreements, cultural events and sustainable ties between countries and regions.

Ilya Shakalov is the General Director of the Development Fund of the Krasnodar Territory, deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnodar Territory, candidate of sociological sciences and associate professor, representative of the Committee on Foreign Economic Affairs activities of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Krasnodar Territory, corresponding member of the Russian Municipal Academy. His professional trajectory combines management, science and practical diplomacy - it is at this junction that new leadership is being formed today.

Winner project: business diplomacy in action

The winner of the competition was the project in the category “Business Diplomacy and International Cooperation”, aimed at organizing business missions of Russian regions to foreign countries and holding the international festival of culture, art and sports “Russian Soul” abroad.

The geography of the project covers countries around the world and is formed upon request. Its practical results include annual participation in leading international exhibitions and presentations, promotion of Russian goods and services in foreign markets, conclusion of cooperation agreements and signing contracts for the supply of products, equipment or services. A separate area is promoting the popularization of Russian education, culture, art and sports outside the country.

This project clearly demonstrates how the economic interests of the region can be organically integrated into the humanitarian agenda, and public diplomacy can work through business, culture and human connections.

International initiatives: from student adaptation to cultural dialogue

In addition to the winning project, Ilya Shakalov implements a number of international initiatives, each of which strengthens the image of Russia and the region at the global level.

One of the key social projects is the Consulting Center for working with foreign students of the Krasnodar Territory Development Fund. Its goal is the comprehensive adaptation and integration of foreign students in Russia: assistance in studying legislation, crime prevention, familiarization with the culture of the region, promoting employment and resolving legal and social issues.

The language tours project SEE THE FUTURE, implemented jointly with the Krasnodar School of Foreign Languages, is focused on immersion in the language environment, the development of communication and professional skills, and the formation of international thinking among schoolchildren and students.

Separate areas of work are related to the promotion of culture and art together with the Association of Creative Industries, as well as the development of international tourism and hospitality in partnership with the ANO National Center for the Development of Tourism and hospitality.”

What does it mean to be a leader today

Reflecting on leadership, Ilya Shakalov speaks of it as the role of an integrator and “architect of meaning.” A modern leader, in his opinion, is a “translator” between theory and practice, between business, government and society, between local tasks and global trends.

The finalist of the “Leader of Public Diplomacy” competition views diplomacy not as a sphere of formal protocols, but as the ability to build trust and human bridges where official mechanisms are often powerless.

He attaches particular importance to responsibility to the future. Combining management and parliamentary activities requires thinking not in short-term indicators, but in generational cycles - the creation of sustainable ecosystems that will work and develop for many years.

The basis of modern leadership, according to his formula, is the triad: expertise, trust and empathy. Scientific base, transparency and the ability to listen to different groups of society are becoming more important today than formal status.

Vectors of cooperation

Ilya Shakalov is open to expanding interaction in the areas of regional and international economics, business diplomacy, regional development, public diplomacy, international cooperation and cooperation, promotion of national goods and services.

His work is an example of how personal expertise and strategic thinking turn into real projects, building trust and sustainable connections between countries and cultures.

Contacts and resources of the winning project:
Website of the Krasnodar Territory Development Fund: www.frkuban.ru
Telegram: https://t.me/kubandevelopmentfund
Telegram (personal): https://t.me/ilyashakalov
VK: https://vk.com/shakalov_ilya
E-mail: INFO@FRKUBAN.RU
WhatsApp: +7 918 32 23 028