Online Applications Make Subsidized Summer Camp Vouchers Available in Russia’s Novosibirsk Region
Thanks to new digital tools, families can now apply for a subsidized summer camp voucher, receive it, and track its status entirely online. The change eliminates paperwork and removes the need to stand in line at government offices.
Electronic Vouchers
Starting in 2026, the Novosibirsk Region will move the entire process of issuing subsidized vouchers for children’s health and recreation camps to a fully digital format. Parents and legal guardians will be able to submit applications, receive electronic vouchers, and monitor application status remotely through the Gosuslugi portal, without visiting social support agencies in person. The service rollout is part of the federal project Gosudarstvo dlya lyudey (State for People) and the national program Ekonomika dannykh i tsifrovaya transformatsiya gosudarstva (Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State).
The change brings several immediate benefits. First, it significantly reduces the time required to access the service, as applications can be completed from home. Second, the process becomes more transparent, with real-time application status available in the user’s personal account. The requirement to collect paper certificates is removed entirely, eliminating bureaucratic overhead. The service is available to all eligible groups, including families of participants in Russia’s special military operation.
Scaling and Standardization
The technology is well suited for scaling and standardization, making it likely that similar digital services will be introduced in other Russian regions. Logical next steps include integration with other government systems, such as automatic verification of eligibility through interagency data exchange, further simplifying the process. User-facing features may also expand, including personalized reminders about camp session dates and broader adaptation for mobile devices.
From an IT market perspective, the project represents a strong example of effective digital public service delivery. It offers a practical reference model for regional and municipal authorities and may also attract interest as a case study for international exchange on the digitalization of social services.
Digitizing Social Services
The Novosibirsk Region’s initiative fits into a broader national trend toward the digitalization of government and social services. As early as 2024, regional authorities discussed shifting camp voucher applications to a digital format. That period also saw the introduction of electronic queuing and a reduction in the number of required supporting documents.
Over two years, the project progressed from planning and pilot phases to full deployment. Today, the process of obtaining subsidized vouchers is significantly simplified, and applicants can track request status online. In parallel, other social services are also being digitized, including the Molochnaya kukhnya (Milk Kitchen) program.
Expansion and Service Improvement
The new format improves access to children’s recreation services by lowering administrative barriers and increasing transparency in interactions between residents and government agencies. The rollout reflects the active development of digital government transformation in line with national programs and policy priorities.
In the coming years, electronic voucher issuance is likely to expand to other types of recreational programs and related services. Service quality is also expected to improve, including processing speed and user interface design, alongside deeper integration with other digital platforms. As administrative friction declines, the share of residents using digital government services is expected to grow steadily.
