How the one could get a grant in the social project "Zhas project"?

The Zhas Project main objectives are as follows:

• the creation of the conditions for the development of youth, especially those of vulnerable groups;
• support for the youth ideas and projects that represent practical interest and significance for the socio-economic development of the local population;
• training of the participants in the new knowledge and skills in social entrepreneurship and professional growth.

In the year of 2022 over 250 small grants were allocated to support the youth social initiatives. The amount of each small grant is up to 1 million tenge.

There were project offices in the form of non-governmental organizations selected on a competitive basis have been established in the implementation regions:

• NGO "Tamshybulak" in the Almaty and Zhetysu regions
• Republic NGO "Unified Children's and Youth Organization "Zhas Ulan" in the Karaganda and Ulytau regions
• Local NGO "Tupkaragan zhastary" in the Mangistau region
• Association of Legal Entities "Congress of Youth of Kazakhstan" in the Turkestan region

The youth grants funding includes the costs for the purchase of equipment, consumables, specialist services remuneration, rental of premises etc.

We draw attention of the potential participants that the grant funds do not go to the grant recipient accounts. The project offices are responsible to incur the costs associated with the goods and services specified in the cost estimate of the call for proposal upon agreement with the participants. That was done so that the participants would be more involved in the implementation of their projects and have coped with no difficulties in drafting their financial documents. After participating in the Project, all the purchased equipment and goods will stay in the possession of the participants.

In addition, for convenience, signing of electronic agreements by means of EDS is provided. If you have questions, the participants can contact Call center for qualified assistance related to project management.

In addition, in each implementation region, about 20 professionals in social entrepreneurship, project management, and professional growth were attracted to provide advisory and mentoring support.

In the year of 2022, the proposals for participation in the “Zhas Project” were accepted until August 10th.

The next Small Grants Competition will be announced in 2023 (follow the news on the website of the Center for Civic Initiatives).

In the year of 2022, the proposals were accepted on the web resources:

• zhasproject - almobl.kz Zhas project in the Almaty and Zhetysu regions
• zhasproject - karaganda.kz Zhas project in the Karaganda and Ulytau regions
• zhasproject - mangystau.kz Zhas project in the Mangystau region
• zhasproject - turkestan.kz Zhas project in the Turkestan region

the following are the criteria for the Small Grants Competition participants:

• be a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• aged 18 to 28 years old (inclusive) at the time of submitting an application;
• have a permanent or temporary registration in the region for at least three months at the time of application submission.

A special priority in the Small Grants Competition was given to the youth from vulnerable groups, which are referred to the following:

• the youth registered as unemployed;
• the youth aged 18 to 29 years old living in the low-income families, orphans and the disabled;
• the young parents raising a disabled child;
• the young mothers of many children, awarded with pendants "Altyn alka" and "Kumis alka" and families with many children.

In the year of 2022, almost every second grant holder is from these categories (65%).

To apply for the Small Grants Competition, it was necessary to go through an individual registration on the web resource, fill out an application form and attach the necessary documents:

• a copy of the identity card;
• confirmation of the registration in the region from a personal account on the e - government portal;
• documents confirming a vulnerable group status of the participant.

After passing through an individual registration, the participant had to submit a project application (proposed project description) on the web resource in the prescribed form.

The possible project directions:

1)      attaining objectives in the field of education, science, information, physical culture and sports;

2)      protecting the health of citizens, promoting a healthy lifestyle;

3)      environmental protection;

4)      supporting for the youth policy and children's initiatives;

5)      assisting in solving family-demographic and gender issues;

6)      supporting to the socially vulnerable segments of the population;

7)      assisting to the orphans, children from single-parent and large families;

8)      assisting in ensuring employment of the population;

9)      protection of the rights, legitimate interests of the citizens and organizations;

10)    culture and art development;

11)    historical and cultural heritage protection;

12)    strengthening public harmony and national unity;

13)    assisting to the probation services in providing social and legal support to the persons registered therewith;

14)    conducting public monitoring of the quality of the public services provision;

15)    promoting the civil society development, including raising the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations activity;

16)    assisting to the person (family) who is in the difficult life situation.

The projects selection took place in 2 stages:

1. Technical selection for compliance with the criteria and check-up of the documents;
2. Evaluation committee selection. The committees were created in each region from 21 representatives of public organizations, mayor offices (akimats), representative bodies (maslikhats), educational institutions, journalists and bloggers. The projects were reviewed remotely on the web resource, where the confidentiality of the participants and committee members was kept, which made the selection process fair and transparent.

The first stage of the Project implementation is the Small Grants Competition “Zhas Project” in the implementation regions. In 2022, there were 2673 projects received, of which 252 projects were selected.

At the second stage, the grantees shall receive training in the life significant and employment skills, mentoring and advisory support for the successful projects implementation. At this stage, the participants are also actively engaged in their projects implementation, opening furniture workshops, hairdressers, bakeries, language courses, etc., thereby gaining first experience in starting their own business.

The third stage is aimed at consolidating knowledge and experience gained during the project participation. Best practice forums in the implementation regions are held where the participants share their success stories, exchange ideas and make plans for the future. The existing businessmen, business coaches, potential investors and donors are invited to the event.