Social Innovation in Central Asia
Journeys of change across Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
Eurasia Foundation's Social Innovation in Central Asia program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is a project bridging Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The program supports a new generation of forward-looking civil society leaders and cultivates a vibrant and responsive civil society across Central Asia.
This interactive map showcases some of our brightest changemakers. Each shares an unyielding commitment to addressing critical needs within their communities. Take a tour of our five-year portfolio and discover how each of these projects is driving positive change locally, nationally, and globally.
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Championing Environmental Entrepreneurship in Southern Kazakhstan
With support from Eurasia Foundation, Vladislav is promoting green living in his community through Generation, an organization that extracts reusable materials from recycled waste. Under Generation's Eco Cashback program, townspeople earn money by sorting and recycling their household refuse. Vladislav's multifaceted project has transformed residents' perceptions of waste in the town of Aksukent.
2
Mother-Daughter Duo Readies Young Women in Rural Tajikistan to Pursue STEM Education
Recognizing the gender disparity in her computer science classrooms, 19-year-old Nozanin and her mother Muqaddas founded the organization Shams to improve girls’ access to STEM education in rural Tajikistan. With support from Eurasia Foundation, Shams launched the Win the Future initiative, incentivizing STEM education through after-school lessons and friendly competitions.
3
Anti-Corruption Coalition Shines a Light on State Procurement in Kazakhstan
Kun Jarygy is a coalition of 23 NGOs and 32 experts championing transparent public spending in Kazakhstan. With support from Eurasia Foundation, the coalition recovered 11.38 million Kazakhstani tenge in problematic procurements and launched ProZakup.kz, a procurement resource website.
4
Independent Journalist Discovers a $150,000 Public Procurement Fraud Linked to President’s Book
Mirzo Subkhanov, journalist and alum of Eurasia Foundation’s Policy Research School, exposed a state procurement fraud involving the purchase of a book authored by the president of Uzbekistan. The case highlighted systemic corruption in Uzbekistan’s public procurement and the need for better civic budget monitoring.
5
Debate.kz Bridges Rural-Urban Divide, Creates Opportunities for Kazakh-Speaking Youth
Zhandos Meirmanov launched Debate.kz to promote critical thinking and leadership among Kazakh-speaking youth, especially in rural areas. Since its inception, the initiative has trained 300 students and 40 teachers, established over 30 debate clubs, and organized six interregional tournaments.
6
Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy Alum Launches First Montessori Center in Turkmenistan
Yekaterina Geldimuradova is democratizing teaching in Turkmenistan by opening the country's first Montessori-based preschool, Perzent Bilim Merkezi. Equipped with social entrepreneurship skills from Eurasia Foundation’s Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy, she's setting a new standard for early childhood education.
7
Improving Access to MRIs in Northern Kazakhstan
Local civic organizations Tugan Zher and the First Anti-Corruption Media Center identified private clinics denying national health coverage and profiting from cash payments for MRI scans. Supported by Eurasia Foundation, they introduced new policies that reduced MRI wait times from 90 days to 12 days.
8
Uzbekistani NGO Launches Renovated Center for Women with Disabilities
Natalya Plotnikova founded the organization Opa-Singillar to uplift women and girls with disabilities in Qibray, Uzbekistan. With support from Eurasia Foundation, Opa-Singillar developed a strategic plan and renovated their office, doubling participant numbers and expanding workshop offerings.
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Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in Tajikistan
In 2022, Firuza and Mariyam escaped decades of domestic abuse and found support with Femida, an NGO for domestic violence survivors in Uzbekistan. Through Femida, they received counseling and enrolled in courses funded by Eurasia Foundation, leading to a successful online business and financial independence.
10
The Missing Million: Investigating Use of Public Funds for Holiday Celebrations in Shymkent, Kazakhstan
After participating in a Eurasia Foundation procurement monitoring training, three transparency advocates discovered that the city of Shymkent misappropriated $1.3 million of public funds for Nauryz festivities. Their findings generated a widespread public response and prompted a formal investigation into the procurement discrepancies.
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Gamifying Environmental Stewardship in Kazakhstan
Gorozhanym is revitalizing Almaty’s civic engagement landscape through a blend of creative projects, environmental education, and community-driven development. The team's efforts culminated in forming an expert urbanist community that was key to drafting amendments to Almaty’s building code and proposals to update Kazakhstan’s Law on Local Self-Governance.
12
NGO Helps Pioneer Employment of People with Disabilities in Uzbekistan
Dilmurad Yusupov and his organization Sharoit Plus are connecting people with disabilities with meaningful employment through the job-seeking website IshPlus.uz. With support from Eurasia Foundation, Sharoit Plus developed a mobile app version of the site. This tool helped more than 130 individuals with disabilities find work in six months.
13
Public Awareness Campaign Brings Drinking Water Standpipe to 20,000 People in Eastern Kazakhstan
Khadisha Akayeva is a journalist from Semey, Kazakhstan. Supported by Eurasia Foundation, Khadisha used her YouTube channel to call for a clean water standpipe and bus service to reach 20,000 residents of nearby villages.
14
Supporting Women through Social Enterprise in Turkmenistan
Gozel Muradaliyeva established Dap-Dessur to offer women and young people skill development opportunities in rural Turkmenistan. With support from Eurasia Foundation, Dap-Dessur launched a sewing workshop that taught 45 women facing economic insecurity how to sew and tailor.
15
Changemaker Combats Cultures of Silence to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence in Central Asia
Alina Ilinskaya channels her personal journey of overcoming childhood sexual abuse into Bulbul, an initiative supported by Eurasia Foundation. Bulbul offers confidential psychological support and resources through a Telegram bot named “Bulka,” aiding survivors across Central Asia with personalized guidance and connections to crisis centers.
16
Uniting Youth to Promote Karakalpakstan’s Artistic Heritage
Mukhammed Kaipbergenov is committed to revitalizing Karakalpakstan's Savitsky Museum, often referred to as the “Louvre in the Desert.” With Eurasia Foundation's support, Mukhammed formed a community of youth ambassadors from across Uzbekistan. This group now works closely with Uzbekistan’s Agency for Cultural Heritage to support Karakalpakstan's unique creative legacy.
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New Law on Social Entrepreneurship Set to Strengthen Vulnerable Communities in Tajikistan
A draft law on social entrepreneurship marks an important step toward supporting marginalized communities and fostering social impact through business in Tajikistan. The law was partly brought to life by the Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, with support from Eurasia Foundation. The Bureau's efforts have ensured that the law will meet the needs of local NGOs, overcome legislative barriers, and advance social entrepreneurship throughout Tajikistan.
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Paving the Way for Legislative Reforms to Combat Domestic Violence in Kazakhstan
In June 2024, Kazakhstan implemented a groundbreaking law addressing domestic violence. The NGO Zhenskii Luch was instrumental in developing this legislation. Supported by Eurasia Foundation, Zhenskii Luch is reforming approaches to domestic violence through its work with both survivors and aggressors across Kazakhstan.
19
MeeToo: An App Against Gender-Based Violence in Kazakhstan
Zan Talaby, a women's center, launched the MeeToo app to connect survivors of violence against women with mental health, community, and educational resources. With Eurasia Foundation support, Zan Talaby refined their strategy to better support survivors in rural areas with limited access.
20
Combatting Torture in Kazakhstan through Digital Tools
Troubled by the prevalence of torture by law enforcement interrogations, the Expert Independent Research Institute launched an e-library of free legal guidance on identifying, documenting, and reporting torture. With Eurasia Foundation support, the institute assisted more than 5,000 users and worked with law enforcement to reduce instances of torture and police violence in Kazakhstan.
21
Study Tour Expands Horizons for Changemakers in Uzbekistan
Representatives from civil society organizations in Uzbekistan embarked on a five-day study tour to Kazakhstan, organized by Eurasia Foundation, to learn about sustainable social enterprises. Khurshida Ibragimova, director of a women's and children’s support center, then launched a culinary training center and commercial kitchen in Ferghana.
22
Little Heroes: Creating Opportunities for Vulnerable Children and Families in Northern Kazakhstan
Batyr is a civic organization dedicated to people with disabilities and their families. Eurasia Foundation supported Batyr in expanding its capacity and reach. These efforts paved the way for Nursultan, a child with cerebral palsy, to enhance his computer skills and express his thoughts more effectively and for his mother, Zhanna, to find community among fellow caregivers of children with disabilities.
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Supporting Women through Mutual Aid Groups in Tajikistan
Fidokor is a Dushanbe-based NGO dedicated to combating violence, stigma, and discrimination against women married to migrant workers. With support from Eurasia Foundation, Fikodor launched women's mutual aid groups in Tajikistan’s Levakanda, Vakhsh, Jami, and Kushanian districts.
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Championing Vulnerable People in Uzbekistan
Human rights defenders in Uzbekistan often encounter obstacles in their ability to represent citizens in court, limiting their capacity to protect the rights of vulnerable people, particularly in criminal cases. With Eurasia Foundation support, human rights champion Mirzo Subkhanov is increasing public organizations' participation in judicial proceedings.