SICA Success Stories

When Nursultan, a young boy with cerebral palsy, attends communication courses, his mother, Zhanna, joins him—not to wait while he learns, but to participate in her own skill-building courses. Both mother and son are honing new talents with the help of Batyr, a civic organization and member of USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) Institutional Development Program (IDP).

Batyr (“Hero”) opened in 2012 to champion the rights of vulnerable groups in Kazakhstan’s Aqmola region. The organization supports people with disabilities and their families through skill-building and social inclusion opportunities. In 2021, Batyr joined IDP, hoping to maximize its performance and develop modern methodologies to help children like Nursultan connect with a broader community. Previously, Nursultan communicated by arranging paper letters to form words. Now, this sociable student is practicing his typing and communication skills through Batyr’s computer literacy training. Using a computer, Nursultan can express his thoughts more readily.

In Kazakhstan, an estimated 70 percent of public infrastructure is inaccessible to people with disabilities. Karlygash Kulzhanova’s hometown of Talgar is no exception. Recognizing the danger posed by lack of accessible public spaces, Karlygash teamed up with fellow disability rights advocates to push for change. To start, Karlygash and her colleagues mobilized a needs assessment by the Kazakh Society of the Blind. Based on these results, they decided to target areas that lacked walkways for visually impaired residents. Accessible walkways, they believed, would result in safer movement and wayfinding across streets for people with disabilities throughout the city.

In partnership with Samga-N, a local disability rights organization, Karlygash applied for an Innovative Solutions grant from USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia program. In February 2021, Karlygash participated in a focus group uniting local stakeholders, including the vice-akim for the Talgar region, a representative from the Talgar municipal government, representatives of the road commission and department of civic works, the director of Samga-N, and fellow concerned citizens. Together, they decided on a location for a new accessible walkway, to be constructed along a main throughway in Talgar.

Across Kazakhstan, education and recreation resources for youth with disabilities remain limited, especially in rural areas. Despite state efforts to introduce inclusive education in schools nationwide, most youth with disabilities in Kazakhstan still do not have access to high-quality, inclusive education or leisure activities. Many families choose to homeschool their children due to lack of appropriate training for teachers, low accessibility in schools and a fear of social stigma. Consequently, youth with disabilities are often confined to their homes and fully dependent on their caregivers.

Since 2013, Atyrau’s Zhurekten Zhurekke (“From Heart to Heart”), a charitable foundation, has supported vulnerable groups across Kazakhstan, including youth with disabilities and their families. The organization has opened branches in nine cities across Kazakhstan and supported more than 1,000 families of youth with disabilities through trainings, workshops, fundraising and awareness campaigns. In January 2021, with support from USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia program, Zhurekten Zhurekke launched a series of workshops in Atyrau for youth with disabilities and their caregivers. Participants learned creative skills, including sewing, illustration and clay and plaster sculpting. Workshops provided an outlet for self-expression and boosted youth's problem-solving, communication, coordination and motor skills. As a result of the workshops, one participant secured a job as a tailor in a local textile shop, and three others started their own creative businesses.

While studying computer programming in college, Ummatoy Yuldosheva also volunteered teaching unemployed women how to program at the Women’s Committee in Tashkent. Given her background, Ummatoy was keenly aware of the extensive time and technical training required to become a successful programmer. The 24-year-old began to wonder if there might be a more efficient way to equip unemployed women with the requisite skills to successfully enter the workforce. “At the Women’s Committee, I witnessed firsthand the challenges unemployed women were facing. I knew I wanted to help this community of women, but I was unsure how.”

Motivated but lacking a clear path forward, in June 2020, Ummatoy became one of 150 young activists to participate in the Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), organized under USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia program. CAYLA’s focus on social entrepreneurship, critical and creative thinking and project management provided Ummatoy with the practical skills and drive she needed to launch her very own startup. Ummatoy also won a CAYLA Young Civic Leader Scholarship, which she used to pursue additional project management courses and networking opportunities.

While the Government of Uzbekistan continues to enact reforms in various sectors, gains for civil society remain limited. Nonetheless, with support from the USAID Civil Society Support Program in Central Asia (CSSP), implemented by Eurasia Foundation (EF), independent civil society leaders have recently capitalized on the opportunities still available to advocate for policy and legislation based on the needs of the country’s diverse civil society organizations rather than the priorities of a closed circle of government policymakers. Through CSSP, EF facilitated a robust dialogue on Uzbekistan’s draft law for social entrepreneurship in March 2020. To support the dialogue, EF created a network of dedicated Telegram channels and groups for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Uzbekistan, and then organized discussions, connected experts and supported broad dissemination of the draft law to a wide cross-section of civil society leaders. After this successful experience, the Telegram channels and group were then re-purposed for an in-depth review of Uzbekistan’s new NGO Code. The platforms launched in March initially brought together members of Uzbek civil society to review and discuss draft law No. ID-16188 “On Social Entrepreneurship,” which had been posted online by the Ministry of Justice for public discussion. The draft law has promise and addressed priority areas and tasks for the country’s development in 2020 as articulated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Considering the potential impact of the law on civil society and its financial sustainability and given the lack of response from the country’s legal sector, EF’s CSSP team created the Telegram group to encourage discussion among NGOs. Through active facilitation – constantly inviting knowledgeable and influential civil society leaders to join the discussion, prompting group members to share their opinions and providing translation services – the CSSP team helped participating NGOs provide substantive, and at times critical, comments based on their own experiences and recommendations for removing barriers to financial sustainability through social enterprise. Following a robust series of discussions, members of the group posted their recommendations on the Ministry of Justice website.

Statelessness often deprives individuals of their fundamental rights, leaving them without access to education, healthcare, or legal employment, which makes them especially susceptible to exploitation. This vulnerability is starkly illustrated by a report from the UNHCR, which reveals that 25,413 individuals in Uzbekistan are stateless. A significant portion of this population can trace their lack of citizenship back to the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, which resulted in a surge in statelessness across Central Asia due to the emergence of new nations and borders.

For over two decades, the NGO Istiqbolli Avlod (meaning “future generation” in Uzbek) has provided crucial social and legal aid to individuals lacking state passports. Founded in 2001, the organization commits itself to uplift socially vulnerable segments within Uzbekistan. Their mission supports the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of survivors of human trafficking and illicit migration.

Shokhida Kasymova, project lead at Istiqbolli Avlod, observes, "There are clear patterns in the challenges we address. It's alarming how frequently the traps of deception and human trafficking involve those known to the victims—be it friends, family, or acquaintances. Perpetrators confiscate the victims' personal documents and property, secure loans in their names, or even engage in human trafficking. Sadly, these predicaments often stem from [victims’] lack of awareness about [their] rights and protections."

The USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program, implemented by Eurasia Foundation, provided Istiqbolli Avlod with an Innovative Solution Grant (ISG) to launch 20 awareness-raising campaigns on human trafficking and illegal migration in Tashkent's border regions. As a result of the campaigns, more than 50 at-risk individuals are now receiving direct assistance from Istiqbolli Avlod, including legal advice and connections to law enforcement representatives.

Khondamir Asanov (name changed), a 64-year-old who escaped from forced labor, is a testament to the invaluable support offered by Istiqbolli Avlod. Deceived by a homeowner in Qibray after assisting in a home renovation, Khondamir endured two decades of involuntary servitude. "I took on a refurbishment job in Qibray, hoping to earn some extra money on a friend's recommendation," Khondamir shares. An adept craftsman, he refurbished the house and set up its electrical system. When his USSR passport neared its expiration, Khondamir sought assistance from the homeowner, who held a government position, to secure a new Uzbekistani passport. Instead of aid, the homeowner seized his passport and coerced Khondamir into relentless, unpaid labor.

During the Soviet era in Kazakhstan, an estimated 70 percent of traditional Kazakh crafts were lost or destroyed, resulting in the dissappearance of the knowledge required to recreate them. As a result, many textile embroidery techniques used to create clothing, footwear, headgear, and various interior items now teeter on the edge of extinction. "It's a regrettable loss of our tangible cultural heritage. The Soviet era, with its policies, posed the greatest threat to our cultural identity. Now, our task is to painstakingly rebuild our understanding of traditional ornamentation," comments Aizhan Bekkulova, Chairwoman of the Union of Artisans. The USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) project supported the Union of Artisans of Kazakhstan to create an online database showcasing traditional Kazakh crafts. Throughout one year, the team conducted expeditions across Aqtobe, Shymkent, Pavlodar, Aqtau, Taraz, Qyzylorda, Almaty, and other regions of Kazakhstan. Their research in various Kazakh museums and visits to artisan workshops uncovered unique crafting techniques. The team digitized these findings for display on their website, presenting a vast gallery of textile designs sourced from both museum and private collections across Kazakhstan. The website also features a comprehensive bibliography about the symbolism, history, and cultural legacy of Kazakh ornamentation, aimed to inspire emerging creatives.

Samal Rakhatova studied social media management in university, but she had trouble finding a job in the field upon graduation. She worked other jobs but felt unfulfilled and distanced from her passion. Eventually, she quit her job and became virtually unemployed—until she found Promising Professions for the Future, a project supported by USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA).

Support for Initiatives—a civil society organization based in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan—launched Promising Professions for the Future: Solving the Unemployment Problem to help thousands of youth like Samal. Since 2020, the unemployment rate has increased in nearly half of Kazakhstan. Recent university graduates may experience long periods of unemployment before finding a job—sometimes not even related to their field of study. When 18,406 people recently applied for work at the Kyzylorda employment office, only 8,441 applicants, fewer than half, found jobs.

Zahira Begalieva has long been promoting the rights of people with disabilities in Kazakhstan and helping them secure jobs through ITeachMe Competence Development Center. Zahira, who herself lives with a serious musculoskeletal disease, knows firsthand how critical accessibility and inclusion can be. "The life of a person with a disability comes with constant barriers. We sometimes don’t feel fully present or comfortable with ourselves. We cannot always go where we want to go, we cannot always work where we want to…because there are not always ramps or proper infrastructure," Zahira said. Zahira’s son Dauren, an IT student, first inspired her to launch innovative, online professional development courses for people with disabilities. "The Internet is here!” Dauren told his mother, “It's a colossal platform with limitless possibilities."

Gozel Muradaliyeva's passion for community development has propelled her throughout her career, beginning as a teacher and later as a dedicated community worker. As she gained valuable experience from participating in various initiatives, she always aspired to create something of her own. In 2014, her vision came to life with the establishment of Dap-Dessur [“Folk Art” in Turkmen], an organization committed to supporting young people and women through diverse skill development programs and projects. Through the collaborative efforts of the USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program and the International Organization for Migration in Turkmenistan (IOM), Dap-dessur launched a sewing workshop social enterprise. Within four months, the enterprise provided comprehensive training in sewing and tailoring to 45 women from vulnerable backgrounds. As part of this initiative, the women utilized their newfound skills to create 30 sets of children's clothes, which were then distributed to orphanages and children from low-income families.

Transforma is an influential cultural space in Almaty, Kazakhstan, founded in 2017 to address meaningful social issues via the arts. By offering thought-provoking performances and educational programs, Transforma sparks dialogue and reflection on various societal challenges. In less than three years, the art space staged over 150 theater performances, lectures, and workshops. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Transforma’s progress, as the team was forced to cancel performances while still bearing the financial burden of maintaining the art space. In 2022, as lockdown restrictions across Kazakhstan were lifted and Transforma’s prospects appeared to be improving, building owners unexpectedly raised rent by sevenfold, posing a challenge that the Transforma management could not have foreseen.

Insufficient access to quality healthcare, social support, and infrastructure poses significant obstacles for people with disabilities in Central Asia. This issue is particularly acute in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan. For years, children with disabilities living in Nukus, the capital of Karakalpakstan, have had limited access to rehabilitation facilities. Thanks to a USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program grant, Children and Families Support Association launched free, tailored rehabilitation programs for more than 60 children with musculoskeletal disorders residing in Nukus.

In 2015, Kazakhstan launched an electronic platform with open public access to state procurement processes. The move was widely regarded as a significant step in fighting state procurement corruption, a persistent challenge for the country since its independence in 1991. In a bid to support government reforms on monitoring state spending, a team of procurement monitoring professionals created Kun Jarygy (Sunlight in Kazakh), a coalition of 23 NGOs and 32 experts that focus on procurement monitoring and public spending transparency. With the support of Eurasia Foundation's Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program and global transparency watchdog Open Contracting Partnership (OCP), the coalition has effectively overseen 270 purchases with violations. "A key aspect of public monitoring is ensuring that citizens, as the ultimate beneficiaries of state expenditures, receive high-quality goods and services at reasonable prices," says Nurgali Rakhmanov, a co-founder and an active member of the coalition. "Since the 2015 reform, citizens of Kazakhstan can view and monitor how public funds are utilized, particularly in areas that directly affect their lives. Our mission is to educate them how to monitor public spending effectively to ensure they receive quality services for their taxes."

Kasym Jumayev grew up in a village near Dashoguz, a city in northern Turkmenistan located along the Shavat canal, an offshoot of the Amu Darya river. Since the diversion of Amu Darya for agricultural needs in the 1960s, the water level in Shavat has been gradually declining. For Kasym's family and fellow villagers engaged in agriculture, water loss posed a significant challenge. "Growing up, I assisted my family in cultivating a variety of crops. There were years when [Shavat] ran nearly dry, forcing us to painstakingly irrigate each field and bush by hand."

Kasym observed that women were the most affected, as they had to take on additional household and income-generating responsibilities. After designing a water-saving irrigator in university, Kasym sought to find sustainable solutions that enabled women to produce goods and support their families in the face of an escalating water crisis. This is how he came across Central Asia Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), the USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia's (SICA) program elevating forward-thinking youth across Central Asia through educational activities and grant opportunities.

The issue of violence against women remains a significant concern in Central Asia. United Nations data from 2023 indicates that one in three women in the region has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. According to research conducted by the Eurasian Research Institute, Uzbekistan is ranked 62th out of 162 countries in terms of gender equality. Other Central Asian countries face similar situations, with Kazakhstan in 44th and Tajikistan in 70th place. These rankings are influenced by critical issues such as high maternal mortality rates, high teenage birth rates, and low female representation in parliament, indicating significant challenges in achieving gender equality.

Unwilling to remain on the sidelines, Yudjina Shin, a civil activist and beneficiary of the USAID-funded Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program, decided to address the issue by launching an Instagram channel no.hate.power, to raise awareness on the topic of gender equality in Central Asia. Thanks to a grant from USAID’s SICA, the channel became a popular platform, garnering over 1000 subscribers, with a total reach of 48,000 people (Telegram and Instagram).

"Statistics reveal that girls in Central Asia encounter systemic discrimination, with the gender gap resulting in unfair treatment of women and girls in the workplace, families, and society at large. One major issue seems to be the lack of legal literacy among girls. To promote gender equality and empower women and girls, it is crucial to challenge and change the stereotypical expectations that society imposes on women. We need to openly discuss our rights, stand up against injustices, and prioritize information campaigns and educational programs," Yudjina explains.

Gulzoda Avazova, the director of Taskin NGO, has observed injustices and violence against women throughout her life. Previously, she encountered a manager who consistently harassed female employees. Her decisive action led to his dismissal. This experience galvanized her commitment to advocate for women's legal rights, prompting her to pursue work in the field of women's legal protection.

"My neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances, and relatives frequently confided in me about harassment or violence they endured. Many women felt their only recourse was to confide in a friend or whisper to a neighbor about being physically abused or thrown out of their homes with their children. I couldn't stand by as a mere listener. I advised them on where to seek help and encouraged girls and women to pursue justice. I believe that silence only perpetuates the cycle of violence. It's crucial to speak out to end this enduring issue," she notes.

For 21 years, Madina Yergaliyeva has led Initiative Support, an NGO that tackles socio-economic challenges. Since then Madina has been assisting in improving the situation in the healthcare system, increasing the access of citizens of Kazakhstan, including those living in the Aral Sea ecological disaster zone, to medical services. Living in Qyzylorda, a town in southern Kazakhstan close to the Aral Sea, Madina knows firsthand about the direct impact that ecological issues have on local life. For years, the irreversible processes of environmental degradation due to the shrinkage of the Aral Sea have worsened living conditions and ecology in the region.

For many years, cases of torture by law enforcement officers in Kazakhstan have not reached the court, as victims lacked evidence and access to complaint mechanisms. Yet after January 2022, when a series of mass protests triggered by a sudden surge in gas prices led to violent clashes between protesters and police, numerous reports of torture and cruel police treatment surfaced. The need for a more effective mechanism for filing complaints and investigating cases of torture became more pronounced. In response to this need, the Expert Independent Research Institute (EIRI) Public Foundation, with the support of USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program, launched a project to combat torture of Kazakhstanis by state law enforcement agencies. The team created an educational website and a series of free videos that has helped more than 5,000 victims of torture find step-by-step procedures to protect their rights. Moreover, thanks to SICA support, the organization conducted workshops and roundtables for law enforcement officials that received public recognition and more than 20 media mentions.

Maruf Aliyev was a well-known public figure in Kokand, Uzbekistan, when he was asked to head the newly minted Public Council for Kokand’s hokimiyat (city administration) in 2019. “At that time the councils were a new phenomenon, created for the implementation of the procedures outlined in Public Control Law [of 2018],” Maruf notes. Public councils intended to bridge the gap between the public and the state, but Maruf soon noticed that the reality was far from the ideal.

Samal Rakhatova studied social media management in university, but she had trouble finding a job in the field upon graduation. She worked other jobs but felt unfulfilled and distanced from her passion. Eventually, she quit her job and became virtually unemployed, until she found Promising Professions for the Future, a project supported by USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA).

Zhandos Meirmanov hails from Karagandy, an industrial city in the heart of Kazakhstan. Growing up, Zhandos studied in a Kazakh-language school and spoke Kazakh at home. At university, he joined the local debate club. This political science major credits debate for honing his communication, argumentation, and problem-solving skills. The catch? Debates only took place in Russian.

Many people look to warmer seasons with anticipation, excited for all that the good weather has in store—but not Vladislav. As a neighbor to the community landfill, Vladislav balked at the smell brought by warmer weather as heaps of litter baked in the summer sun. “It is really difficult to thrive in these conditions,” he says. “At some point you realize that you need to take action and make a change.”