Just a few years ago, the word "subbotnik" (Russian term for voluntary Saturday work) evoked images of a dreary collection of leaves and garbage according to orders from someone or some organization. Today, it is a movement that is sweeping cities and villages, involving thousands of volunteers, small and large businesses, and even bloggers and artists. A striking example is the "Chistye Overiata" art-subbotnik in the Perm Territory, where children turned a pond cleanup into a true eco-festival with games and quizzes, proving that caring for nature can be fun and creative.
The "ChistoMay-2026" eco-marathon will be held in all regions of Russia from April 1st to May 31st.
"It is great to live in a beautiful and clean place, so starting from 2021 we have been striving to clean up our country's natural environment. Let it be clean for us and future generations! Join the "ChistoMay" eco-marathon—it is an opportunity to help nature, bring together like-minded people, and spend time productively. Cleanliness is a common cause!" comments Aleksandr Liukshin, founder of the 12-15 Clean Nature Centre.
This year's key innovation is the integration with the "ChistoMay" mobile application, where participants can mark dumps, report on cleanups, and earn prizes for the gained points. The marathon participants can choose their own path: organize group cleanups, search for and mark illegal dumps, or become an eco-hero by cleaning up nature alone. Every useful action contributes to the "Environmental Well-being" national project, which starting from 2025 has been uniting efforts to eliminate dumps, preserve forests, and develop environmental awareness across our country. Participating in "ChistoMay" is more than just a cleanup; it is a conscious contribution to a national cause.
Want to help eliminate landfills, make nature cleaner, and win awesome prizes? This contest is for you!
Eco-marathon dates: April 1st to May 31st
How to join "ChistoMay"?
- Fill out the form;
- Find a littered area;
- Complete one of the three marathon tasks (find and mark a dump, clean it yourself, or organize a cleanup with a group of at least 5 people);
- Submit photo reports with your results;
- Gain points and redeem them for prizes.
Over 450 prizes totalling 350,000 roubles: from eco-tongs for cleaning areas to branded clothing and backpacks.
Details about the marathon are available on its website.
Let us make our country clean together!