ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEVELOPMENT
OF THE WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION FOR 2025

Development of Civil Society

In the system of civil society development of the West Kazakhstan Region, 685 non-governmental organizations operate.
Currently, approximately 100 non-governmental organizations are actively functioning in the region.

One of the key instruments for close interaction between government bodies and the civil sector is the state social order.
The state social order is one of the most effective and classical mechanisms of cooperation with NGOs.

In 2025, KZT 1.4 billion was allocated from the local budget of the West Kazakhstan Region for the implementation of 160 projects within the framework of the state social order.

Over the past four years, the volume of state social order funding aimed at supporting the civil sector has nearly doubled (2021 – KZT 774 million).

In the region, the state social order is administered by four departments (Public Development; Employment Coordination and Social Programs; Healthcare; Culture, Language Development and Archives), the Akimat of the city of Uralsk, and 12 district akimats.

A significant portion of the regional state social order budget, approximately KZT 700 million, is allocated to the provision of special social services in the field of social protection. The largest allocations in this area were made by the Akimat of the city of Uralsk (KZT 480 million) and the Burlin District (KZT 115 million).

Projects in the region are implemented across 14 areas, including the development of youth policy, addressing family-demographic and gender issues, support for socially vulnerable groups, development of culture and arts, strengthening public harmony and national unity, assistance to probation services in providing social and legal support to individuals under their supervision, promotion of civil society development, and other areas.

The authorized body for the state social order in the region is the Department of Public Development. In 2025, approximately KZT 300 million was allocated for the implementation of 30 projects.

Projects aimed at the development of civil society include the organization of socially significant events, operation of the “Civil Resource Center,” support for veterans’ organizations, development of gender policy, and activities to preserve historical consciousness in society.

Youth policy development projects cover the organization of events promoting national traditions, cooperation with self-governance organizations, organization of youth labor brigades “Zhasyl El,” implementation of initiatives to develop volunteerism, military-patriotic education of youth, coordination of consultative and advisory bodies, and informational outreach on state programs for youth, among others.

In 2025, the Regional Department of Healthcare allocated approximately KZT 45 million for the implementation of four projects. These projects focus on the prevention of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, suicide, and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

The Department of Culture, Language Development and Archives of the region allocated approximately KZT 30 million in 2025 for the implementation of 30 projects. All projects are aimed at the development of the state language in society and in the field of onomastics.

The Department of Employment Coordination and Social Programs allocated approximately KZT 6 million in 2025 for the implementation of three projects. These projects include events within the framework of the Month of Mercy and the organization of the annual job fair “Talpyn.”

The Akimat of the city of Uralsk and the akimats of 12 districts allocated approximately KZT 1.1 billion in 2025 for the implementation of 91 projects. These projects focus on the provision of special social services, clarification of religious concepts, formation of an anti-corruption culture, youth policy, development of gender policy, and other areas.

Youth Policy

A total of 185,516 young people live in the West Kazakhstan Region, accounting for 26.6% of the total population. Of these, 105,297 reside in urban areas and 80,219 in rural areas. The number of young men is 96,227, and young women – 89,289.

The region has four higher education institutions and 34 technical and vocational colleges. A total of 27,462 students study in universities and 15,038 in colleges.

There are 14 youth resource centers operating in the region (one regional, one city, and 12 district centers) that carry out systematic work with youth.

Grant “Tauelsizdik Urpaktary”

Since 2023, the region has been implementing the “Tauelsizdik Urpaktary” grant aimed at supporting youth initiatives. Grants are awarded in the areas of science, culture, information technologies, business, and media.

Between 2023 and 2025, 20 grants totaling KZT 17.5 million were awarded.

In the current year, the grant award ceremony was held on December 12 with the participation of the Akim of the region. The event took place within the framework of the regional youth award “Leader of the Year 2025,” and grants were distributed across five nominations.

During the event, the best representatives of youth were awarded in 10 nominations, including: “Best Student,” “Best Young Scientist,” “Best Rural Patriot,” “Best Young Entrepreneur,” “Best Youth Team,” “Best Media Specialist,” “Best Young Poet,” “Best Young Talent,” “Best Skilled Worker,” and “Discovery of the Year.”
Winners received a cash prize of KZT 200,000.

Formation of Environmental Culture

Active efforts are underway to foster environmental culture among youth. Since the beginning of the year, 52 clean-up events and 33 informational meetings have been held in the city of Uralsk and across the districts, involving more than 12,000 young people.

Youth environmental initiatives include the projects:
“50 JANA AULA,” “Zero Waste Aksai,” “Taza Zhurek – Taza Meken,” “Clean Yard Bus,” “My Tree – My Future,” and “No to Vandalism!”

As part of promoting the national environmental campaign “Taza Kazakhstan,” a banner featuring active youth participants was installed in the city of Uralsk.

State Social Order (Youth Policy)

In 2025, within the framework of the development of state youth policy through the state social order, the following projects were implemented: development of the KVN movement, organization of intellectual games, holding a republican debate tournament, military-patriotic projects, the “AuylLIFE” project aimed at popularizing rural life, the “Tauelsizdik Urpaktary” grant, and the football tournament “MediaCUP,” organized for the first time.

Additionally, a project aimed at preventing drug addiction and the spread of synthetic drugs was implemented. Together with the West Kazakhstan Regional Police Department, 20 meetings were held, more than 50 drug-related advertisements were removed in the city, and an online survey involving over 500 students was conducted.

International Youth Day

In 2025, a comprehensive action plan dedicated to International Youth Day was developed. According to the plan, festive events began in the Kaztalov District within the “AuylLIFE” project, bringing together youth active in the media space to participate in rural games.

The final match of the “MediaCUP” football tournament was timed to coincide with the celebration. Teams from the Chingirlau District and the Baiterek District competed for the main prize, with the Chingirlau District youth team emerging as the winner.

The Akim of the region’s KVN Cup was also held, featuring eight teams. The team “SWEET” from Aktobe won the competition.

The celebration concluded with a concert on the First President Square in Uralsk, featuring popular performers Artur Dauletiyarov, “ALZABI,” and the local group “Orta Production.”

International Cooperation

On November 11, a Youth and Volunteer Forum was held in Uralsk within the framework of the XXI Kazakhstan–Russia Forum of Interregional Cooperation.

The forum was attended by 20 delegates from the Russian Federation, more than 20 participants from other regions of Kazakhstan, and 50 representatives of the West Kazakhstan Region.

The forum opened with an official ceremony featuring speeches by the Head of the Department of Public Development of the West Kazakhstan Region D. Kadraliyev, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan B. Alimzhanov, and the Minister for Youth Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan A. Kadyrov.

Two panel sessions were held:
“Working Professions as a Trend. Professionalism” and “Exchange of Experience in Volunteering,” as well as a dialogue platform to discuss the best joint projects of the two countries.

Housing Programs for Youth

Systematic efforts are being made in the region to provide youth with affordable housing, which is a priority area of regional youth policy aimed at improving living conditions for young professionals.

The “Zhaiyk Zhastary” program is being implemented to provide youth with affordable housing. This initiative was announced by the Akim of the region, N. Turegaliyev, during a meeting with regional youth.

In 2024, KZT 600 million was allocated from the local budget. Applications were accepted in paper format, with 1,040 applications submitted, resulting in housing being provided to 41 young families.

In early 2025, the program was continued with a project totaling KZT 1,260 million. Applications across eight categories were accepted electronically in March. A total of 403 applications were submitted, and 72 young families received housing.

Thus, over two years, 113 young citizens obtained housing on preferential terms.

In the second half of 2025, KZT 1,323 million was allocated for the program, with applications accepted in October. A total of 517 applications were received, and the final list was published on the “Zhaiyk Zhastary” Instagram page.

The updated program expanded the range of eligible participants. In addition to specialists in healthcare, education, culture, sports, public service, and law enforcement, eligibility was extended to media workers, emergency service employees, Kazpost JSC staff, and representatives of skilled trades from major regional enterprises, including West Kazakhstan Regional Electric Grid Company LLP, Batys Su Arnasy LLP, Zhaiykzhyluquat JSC, Aksayzhyluquat State Utility Enterprise, as well as employees of regional, city, and district youth resource centers.

It is planned to additionally provide housing to more than 90 young citizens under this program.

It should be noted that, by order of the Akim of the region, applications were accepted through the qr.gov.kz website — a unified regional platform integrating public services. This platform ensures maximum transparency and allows applicants to submit documents using an electronic digital signature.

Information Policy

A total of 123 mass media outlets operate in the West Kazakhstan Region, including 98 print media outlets, 12 electronic media outlets, and

13 news agencies. Approximately 50 media outlets are actively engaged in information dissemination.

In 2025, 34 contracts were concluded within the framework of the state information order, covering 33 key thematic areas. A total of 19 national and 12 local media outlets were involved in its implementation.

This work is aimed at promoting and consolidating key ideological priorities defined by the Information Doctrine of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including independence and patriotism, the rule of law, the idea of the working person, family and national values, protection of children’s rights, creation, and progress.

Key information drivers included the Addresses of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the environmental campaign “Taza Kazakhstan,” the ideological concepts of “Law and Order,” directives from sessions of the National Kurultai, events dedicated to public holidays and commemorative dates, and other significant events.

All leading national and regional media outlets were involved in covering major events, including the TV channels “Astana,” “Qazaqstan,” “24.kz,” as well as online platforms Tengrinews.kz, Nur.kz, Stan.kz, Zakon.kz, and others.

In 2025, 176 press conferences were held at the Regional Communications Service of the West Kazakhstan Region according to the approved schedule and additionally on urgent national and regional topics. A total of 337 speakers participated. As a result, 195 materials were published in national media, 1,832 in regional media, and 16,097 materials in social networks.

The main topics of the press conferences included seasonal issues (harvest campaign, heating season, epidemiological situation, regulation of prices for socially significant goods), emergency situations, and socially sensitive issues.

To elevate the regional information space, the Regional Communications Service initiated several new projects:

• “Tauyekel” – support for initiatives within the “Auyl Amanaty” state program aimed at agricultural development, food security, and improving quality of life.
• “Online News” – a modern platform delivering prompt and high-quality news using artificial intelligence.
• “Kelesi Aialdama” – an educational project introducing the history and culture of the region, including the segment “Where Have We Been?”
• Live broadcast “AkimMEN” – a platform for answering citizens’ questions and discussing regional development.
• Podcast “Soilessen” – a conversational format with invited guests addressing topical issues.
• “Bizde Bari Bar” – a project showcasing industrial enterprises of the region and strengthening trust in domestic products.
• “Tulga. Tagdyr. Tarikh” – a project dedicated to historical figures, their life paths, and their role in national history.

Development of Interethnic Relations

The interethnic situation in the West Kazakhstan Region remains stable. Ethnic groups are not concentrated in separate settlements and live alongside the indigenous population.

The districts of Baiterek, Bokeyorda, Burlin, Zhanibek, Kaztalov, Taskala, and Shyngyrlau border five regions of the Russian Federation: Astrakhan, Volgograd, Saratov, Samara, and Orenburg.

Currently, the region’s population is 696,000 people, representing more than 80 ethnic groups. Of these, 78.8% are Kazakhs, 15.7% Russians, 1.8% Ukrainians, 1.3% Tatars, and 2.4% representatives of other ethnicities.

There are 52 ethno-cultural associations operating in the region, 30 of which are officially registered with the Department of Justice. Fourteen associations are actively operating in the regional center.

To ensure public harmony and stability, more than 300 councils and centers established under the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan operate in the region.

In 2025, approximately 4,000 events were held, involving over 150,000 participants, aimed at preserving and promoting public harmony and stability.

Interethnic relations activities are carried out in accordance with approved plans, and sociological studies are conducted quarterly to analyze the situation.

To prevent interethnic tension and conflicts, regular monitoring is conducted in districts bordering the Russian Federation. An information and explanatory pool of speakers has been formed, consisting of 77 members (one regional, one preventive, one city, and 12 district groups).

Monitoring of state symbols

In accordance with the 2025 work plan of the Commission under the Akimat of the West Kazakhstan Region on State Symbols of the Republic of Kazakhstan, specialists of the Regional Department of Public Development, together with specialists of the Department for the West Kazakhstan Region of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, conducted monitoring in 139 institutions located in the Terekti, Kaztalov, Borli, and Shyngyrlau districts, as well as in the Regional Department of Physical Culture and Sports, the Regional Department for Employment Coordination and Social Programs, and the state institutions subordinate to these departments, to assess compliance of the state symbols in use with the national standards “State Emblem of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Technical Specifications” ST RK 989-2014 and “State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan. General Technical Specifications” ST RK 988-2007.

Overall, in 2025, more than 150 events aimed at the broad promotion of state symbols were held in the region, covering approximately 30,000 people, and about 500 materials on this topic were published in republican and regional mass media outlets and on social networks.