Grant Support as a Mechanism for Enhancing Russian–Chinese Humanitarian Cooperation: The Case of the “Russian Shanghai – Chinese Petersburg” Intercultural Dialogue Club

The relevance of the research presented in this article is determined by the growing role of humanitarian cooperation within the framework of Russian-Chinese relations amid the global transformation of the international order. Cultural, educational and academic initiatives serve not only as instruments for strengthening trust and mutual understanding but also as important resources for developing sustainable bilateral ties. Projects implemented through grant support are of particular significance, as they ensure institutional continuity, financial stability, and opportunities for strategic development. The study aims to analyze the experience of the intercultural dialogue club “Russian Shanghai – Chinese Petersburg” as an example of a successful university project supported by Russkiy Mir Foundation, and to identify the role of grant funding as a mechanism for strengthening Russian-Chinese humanitarian cooperation. The materials and methods include the analysis of grant documentation, project implementation reports (2025), and application materials for the new stage (2026), statistical data on events and participants, media content from platforms such as WeChat, VK, and Telegram, as well as participant feedback. Documentary and content analysis methods, along with the case study method, were also applied. The results show that in 2024-2025, the project organized more than fifteen events with over 400 participants from Russia, China, and several other countries, which allowed the initiative to extend beyond bilateral interaction and gain an international dimension. The implemented initiatives demonstrated the potential of universities as centers of public diplomacy and emphasized the significance of youth-oriented formats of intercultural dialogue. The conclusion confirms that grant support is a systemic condition for the sustainability of humanitarian projects, ensuring their long-term impact, institutionalization, and geographic expansion. The experience of the “Russian Shanghai – Chinese Petersburg” project illustrates the potential for scaling such initiatives and integrating them into the broader agenda of Russian-Chinese relations, as evidenced by the newly supported 2026 project “From Petersburg and Shanghai to Vladivostok and Hong Kong – 100 Years of Public Diplomacy.”

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