Results of the EU-UN Joint Programme Supporting Children Returned from Conflict Zones was Reviewed in Turkestan

Results of the EU-UN Joint Programme Supporting Children Returned from Conflict Zones was Reviewed in Turkestan

Turkestan, 19 September 2025 – Turkestan hosted the final meeting of the Coordinating Working Group for phase two of the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) Joint Programme to support the states of Central Asia in reintegrating citizens who have returned from conflict zones. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, relevant government bodies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, international organizations, and regional akimats (regional administrations). The participants approved priorities for further cooperation and for integrating successful practices into national child-protection policies and programmes.

Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Stanislav Vassilenko, noted that the successful completion of the second phase confirmed the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s partnership with UNICEF and the European Union. He emphasized the steady strengthening of the national child-rights protection system and Kazakhstan’s readiness to expand the exchange of best practices domestically and with international partners. The Ambassador recalled that Kazakhstan had returned more than 700 citizens, including 526 children, from conflict zones and provided them with comprehensive support for sustainable reintegration. Today, progress is clearly visible in the children’s own achievements: in Almaty Region, a teenager won 3rd place in the “Akbota” intellectual marathon; in Zhetysu Region, a school student took 1st place in the international “Pony” competition; and in Karaganda Region, a student won 2nd place at the international English Olympiad “English Vocabulary.” These stories attest to the effectiveness of inter-agency support and rehabilitation.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan, Aaro Ylitalo, underlined that cooperation with UNICEF and the Government of Kazakhstan is aimed at creating a safe and enabling environment for children who have experienced trauma. According to him, tangible positive changes in their lives are already visible, confirming the significance of joint efforts to protect human rights and ensure children’s well-being.

UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan, Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, emphasized that Kazakhstan is building a sustainable, child-sensitive system: “Our shared task is to ensure that every child, regardless of past experience, receives continuous, quality support and the opportunity to realize his or her potential.”

Key results presented in Turkestan:

  • Monitoring and Quality Assurance System (MQAS). The unified framework for monitoring the availability and quality of services for child returnees and their families has been updated and is being rolled out; data are collected through ethically safe tools with access for the competent authority. This enables evidence-based decision-making.
  • Minimum Package of Services (MPS) of the child-protection system. A foundation for national standardization has been established: mandatory services at the local level, delineation of agency roles, unified quality standards, inter-agency protocols, and referral pathways. A system-maturity assessment indicates movement toward integration and stronger coordination.
  • Workforce development and scaling of practices. In 20 regions, a pool of trainers on the trauma-informed approach has been formed; specialists of the Centers for Psychological Support (CPS) and Centers for Parental Pedagogical Support (CPPS) have been trained; supervisions and online consultations have been conducted; the capacities of guardianship and trusteeship bodies have been strengthened (over 500 staff trained). The case-management approach has been adopted at the national level for CPS.
  • Innovative approaches to reintegration. In partnership with JSC “National Center for Professional Development ‘Orleu’” (NCPD “Orleu”), the “Stories Between Generations” method is being implemented: 10 master-trainers have been prepared, cascade webinars have been held for 250 teachers, and educational materials and monitoring tools for work with children have been developed.

During the practical segment of the meeting, participants visited the Center for Psychological Support and the Family Support Center in Turkestan city, where they reviewed case management, violence-prevention efforts, and family accompaniment at the local level.