A Year of Long-Term Solutions: New Projects and Strategy of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

The outgoing year marked a period of major infrastructure expansion and a qualitative transformation of social programmes for the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation. From laying the groundwork for flagship educational facilities in the regions to introducing a new employment initiative for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and launching environmental projects, the Foundation demonstrated a systemic approach to tackling pressing societal challenges. Below is an overview of the Foundation’s key initiatives and their impact on Kazakhstan’s socio-economic landscape.

Charitable activity in Kazakhstan is increasingly shifting from one-off assistance to long-term strategies. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s year-end results reflect this trend: the focus was placed on projects designed to generate impact for decades. In 2025, the Foundation not only expanded its geographic reach, but also opened new areas of work in environmental sustainability.

Educational infrastructure: Zhezkazgan and Kosshy

One of the year’s most significant events in regional infrastructure development was the opening of a community centre in Kosshy. The rapidly growing satellite city of the capital had an acute need for a modern public space. The new centre – built at a cost of USD 20 million – became the first facility of its kind in the city, bringing together residents of all ages. It already hosts clubs and classes, cultural events, and educational lectures. In its first year of operation, attendance exceeded projections, reinforcing the idea that urbanisation must be accompanied by investment in social infrastructure.

For its role in building the Kosshy community centre, the Foundation received the prestigious EUROBAK Awards 2025 (European Business Association of Kazakhstan) in the “Corporate Social Responsibility” category.

In parallel, the Foundation launched construction of a new landmark facility – the Palace of Schoolchildren in Zhezkazgan. The project, implemented in the Ulytau Region, is intended to address a shortage of high-quality extracurricular and educational venues.

The future centre is more than a building – it is designed as a modern hub for talent development. The Foundation’s investment will create a high-tech environment where children can pursue robotics, IT, the arts, and sports. The Palace of Schoolchildren is expected to open in 2026 and to provide thousands of children in the region with access to additional education, becoming a focal point for the city’s youth.

“Our strategy is built on the principle of long-term impact. We are not just building walls – we are creating an ecosystem where every child, regardless of where they live, can access quality education and opportunities for development. Zhezkazgan and Kosshy are examples of how private philanthropy can effectively complement government efforts in regional development,” said Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

Affordable housing: the Balameken project

Another major milestone of the year was the implementation of the Balameken project in Astana. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation transferred 500 apartments worth a total of KZT 10.5 billion to the city administration for Kazakhstani citizens in need of housing. Among the recipients were doctors, teachers, rescue workers, and other public-sector employees.

The apartments provided by the Foundation are “comfort-class” units located in modern residential complexes in the capital. The buildings feature high-speed elevators and face-recognition access systems, as well as underground parking and spacious courtyard areas.

Autism: from early diagnosis to employment

Autism. One World for All programme remains the Foundation’s flagship initiative. The Asyl Miras network of autism centres continues to operate in 12 cities across the country, providing free support. Since 2015, 17,000 children have received training at the centres, and USD 16 million has been allocated to the programme.

All services are provided free of charge, bringing together psychologists, special education teachers, and behavioural analysts who apply modern, internationally recognised methodologies. Over ten years of work, the Foundation has trained more than 300 specialists who now work in Asyl Miras autism centres nationwide.

For the third consecutive year, the Foundation has also partnered with Narxoz University to deliver a minor programme focused on working with children with ASD. The course is taught by the Foundation’s trainers. To date, 242 students have completed the programme. Notably, five graduates were employed this year by Asyl Miras centres – an example of knowledge transfer and scaling expertise through university partnerships.

As part of the Foundation’s Autism Friendly programme, 920 people were trained in 2025. The Foundation continues to train professionals and share expertise: memorandums were signed with institutions including the National Children’s Rehabilitation Center (Astana) and the Orleu National Center for Professional Development. In addition, teachers from schools and colleges, speech therapists, and specialists from psychological-medical-pedagogical commissions (PMPC) across the country receive free training in modern approaches to supporting children with ASD.

In 2025, the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan recognised the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s contribution to healthcare development by awarding it for the implementation of Autism: One World for All. The Foundation also received the EUROBAK Awards 2025 for a large-scale Autism Awareness Month campaign aimed at increasing public awareness of ASD, promoting inclusion, and supporting families.

Visits by world tennis stars to Asyl Miras centres have become a valued tradition during ATP tournaments in Kazakhstan. Athletes show strong interest in the centres’ work and learn about programmes that help children develop communication, learning, and independent-living skills. This year, ATP 250 Almaty Open participants Karen Khachanov and Fabian Marozsan visited the autism centre in Almaty. Wimbledon champion and Kazakhstan’s No. 1 player Elena Rybakina also visited the Almaty centre.

This year, the Foundation made an important step forward, moving beyond early intervention and education. In early 2026, it will launch a project focused on developing job skills for people with ASD. While previous efforts targeted preschool and school-age children, the Foundation is now addressing the complex challenge of socialisation and professional self-realisation for adults with autism.

Environmental response: improving the Aral seabed ecosystem

The Foundation significantly strengthened its environmental focus by launching a large-scale initiative to improve the ecosystem of the Aral Sea’s dried seabed. Partners include the University of California, Berkeley; the Executive Directorate of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in Kazakhstan; and Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University.

The pilot project aims at long-term restoration of the dried seabed ecosystem and field testing of the innovative E-seed technology developed at UC Berkeley. The approach is based on aerial seeding using drones that plant special self-burying seeds encased in biodegradable material.

This method enables high-speed, large-scale work and improves plant survival rates by embedding seeds deeper into the soil. The technology significantly reduces labour intensity while maintaining high planting rates and coverage of extensive areas.

The Foundation’s environmental initiative is an investment in the health of future generations, as reducing salt storms directly affects quality of life.

Cultural agenda: the 50th anniversary of Az i Ya

On 27 May in Almaty, Narxoz University hosted the 7th International Conference “The Birth of Turkic-Slavic Studies,” dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Olzhas Suleimenov’s book Az i Ya. The event brought together renowned scholars and cultural figures from Kazakhstan and abroad, including representatives of international organisations.

Key highlights included the presentation of a new edition of Az i Ya, published with support from the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, and the awarding of the International Olzhas Suleimenov Prize in Publicism, recognising contributions to humanitarian thought and intercultural dialogue.

The Foundation’s new strategy

At the year-end meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Foundation presented its new Development Strategy for 2026–2030. The document defines programme priorities and sets a unified focus for scaling impact practices in Kazakhstan and strengthening international cooperation.

Over ten years, the Foundation has implemented major initiatives in healthcare, education, culture, and infrastructure, playing a significant role in Kazakhstan’s philanthropic sector. The new strategy aims to systematise accumulated experience, transform project-based activities into sustainable development institutions, and reinforce the Foundation’s global presence by engaging the international expert community in discussion and support of its projects.

For the Foundation, alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is not a one-off initiative but a guiding framework: its projects already correspond to at least 14 of the 17 goals, including health, quality education, resilient infrastructure, reduced inequalities, and partnerships. Such breadth strengthens the Foundation’s international role, increases trust and transparency for partners, and highlights Kazakhstan’s contribution to the global sustainability agenda and integration into international philanthropic networks.

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has already joined the Council on Foundations, North America’s leading association of philanthropic organisations, and the Asian association of charitable organisations. It is currently considering membership in Philea, Europe’s largest philanthropy association. These steps are intended to draw global attention to the Foundation’s projects in autism and beyond.

In 2025, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation also became a founding member of the Global Autism Coalition, announced at a high-level meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The coalition was established with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Autism Speaks, and the Qatar Foundation.

“We see society’s attitudes to inclusion changing, demand for quality education growing, and environmental responsibility becoming increasingly important. The Foundation is ready to respond to these challenges by scaling successful practices and launching bold new initiatives,” said Almaz Sharman, Chair of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s Board of Trustees.