NUR-SULTAN ‒ Women and young people in Kazakhstan are reluctant to interact with government agencies for decision making as they consider the government to be the only actor of large and serious changes. This is one of the main findings of the study conducted by the EU-funded project aimed to strengthen the state-citizens interaction through digital tools.

The Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia, implementing the EU-funded project “Your Voice Matters. Civic Tech Solutions for Decision-making”, in collaboration with the RK Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry has presented today the results of the project’s study on youth and women involvement in decision-making to the public. The study was aimed to assess experience of the youth aged 20-35 and women aged 20 and over in civic technologies, including awareness, usage, key barriers to entry, and required support, as well as other forms of interaction with state agencies.   

The government of Kazakhstan provides a range of channels through which citizens can participate in the work of the state by providing feedback, accessing information, submitting inquiries and complaints, and providing public comment on draft legislation. In addition to tools for citizens to interact on an individual basis, state mechanisms exist at all levels to formalize civic participation such as the e-gov.kz and other platforms.

“Building a New Kazakhstan as an effective state with a strong civil society requires empowered women and youth.  When equipped with civic technologies, relevant knowledge and digital skills, they could become real leaders of change in their communities. Through this project we support Kazakhstan in its resolve to build a modern state with citizens actively involved into decision-making at all levels,” highlighted Johannes Stenbaek Madsen, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan.

Another key barrier to citizens’ participation in decision-making identified by the study is the reluctance of individual citizens to take responsibility for groups of people. The surveyed participants and focus group discussions show that the citizens of Kazakhstan are ready to act, but prefer to work on an individual level ‒ to help with money, write a post or submit a complaint. They are often less interested in collective actions due to a rather low level of basic trust, which significantly limits the possibilities of cooperation for the sake of common good.

“Our project will help to facilitate equitable and collaborative partnerships between the target groups and local authorities. This will amplify community voices in local and national-level dialogue and decision-making processes to make the government more responsive to the needs of its diverse citizenry”, said Rinad Temirbekov, Director of the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA).

The project “Your Voice Matters. Civic Tech Solutions for Decision-making” is aimed at strengthening the role of women and youth in decision-making at all levels in Kazakhstan through inclusive civic tech and digital literacy, community-led social solutions, and a strategic information campaign.

The project is implemented by EFCA and PF ‘ITeachMe”. The project’s duration: 24 months (February 2022 – January 2024). The total budget: EUR 277,738, including the EU’s contribution of EUR 249,964.