A report identifies main problems in a development of regional youth associations (organizations and movements) in modern Russia. A text presents a typology of youth associations on an example of organizations in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, describes main trends in their development, and identifies opportunities and limitations determined by the current federal and regional legislation. Issues related to a regulation of youth regional associations activities offline and online were raised, system characteristics of network civic activism were identified, political mobilization features of youth associations participants and a volunteer activity development were revealed. Prospects for a political career of activists of regional youth socio-political associations were discussed.