The first rural SDG Hub in Kazakhstan has been opened in Kamystybas village, Kyzylorda region. It was established within the framework of the project “GLocal — Promoting the Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals in Kazakhstan”, funded by the European Union.
The opening of the hub marks an important step in strengthening local participation and cooperation mechanisms. Its purpose is to become a platform where local authorities, civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, and village residents can meet and work together. This format helps identify the real needs of the area and find solutions that matter specifically to the local community.
For the European Union, supporting initiatives of this kind is linked to a broader objective: strengthening local self-government and fostering cooperation between civil society and public administration not only in major cities, but also in rural regions of Kazakhstan.
The priorities of the SDG Hub in Kamystybas were identified through consultations involving residents and other local stakeholders. Six areas were selected as central: quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, and life below water. These priorities will shape the future work of the hub.
As Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, noted, the project is important not only for the region, but for the country as a whole:
“One of our goals in Kazakhstan is to strengthen local self-government and support civil society not only in large cities, but also in rural regions. We view this project as an important pilot initiative for both the region and the country as a whole. For the first time, a platform for SDG localization is being created at the level of a rural district, bringing together public authorities, civil society organizations, and the local community. The hub demonstrates how sustainable development can be effectively implemented at the local level, creating opportunities for citizen engagement and for finding practical solutions to improve quality of life.”
Akim of the Kamystybas rural district Azat Balmyrzaeva also emphasized the importance of the new platform for the local community:
“We are pleased that Kamystybas has been selected as a pilot site for the GLocal project. This initiative makes it possible to adapt the SDGs to the needs of rural areas and strengthens cooperation between state institutions, civil society, and international partners. I am confident that the Hub will contribute to the further development of the village and expand opportunities for local residents to participate in addressing local issues.”
The SDG Hub in Kamystybas is expected not only to coordinate local initiatives, but also to become a space for knowledge exchange, discussion of priorities, and broader community participation in village development. For rural areas in Kazakhstan, it also serves as an important example of how the Sustainable Development Goals can work at the local level, not as an abstract international agenda, but as a practical tool for improving quality of life.
The GLocal project is implemented with the financial support of the European Union. This support makes it possible to develop pilot solutions for the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals and to strengthen cooperation between local authorities, civil society, and the community.
This publication is funded/co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of ARGO and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
This project is funded by the European Union. The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.
It acts globally to promote the sustainable development of society, the environment, and the economy for the benefit of all.
This publicationis funded/co-funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility ofARGO Association of Legal Entities and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
