The event aimed to strengthen connections, exchange experiences, and discuss innovations in the field of social entrepreneurship, including ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) approaches.

During the forum, Deputy Minister of National Economy Bauyrzhan Kudaybergenov informed the participants about the government support measures for social entrepreneurship entities.

“We fully support entrepreneurs with solidarity social responsibility who implement projects and initiatives aimed at improving the social aspects of our citizens,” emphasized Kudaybergenov.

According to him, preferential lending for social entrepreneurship entities has been introduced by subsidizing the interest rate at 7% on loans up to 1.5 billion tenge for investment purposes and up to 500 million tenge for working capital replenishment.

He also mentioned the possibility of government subsidies for microloans to social entrepreneurs at an interest rate of 7%, with the loan amount up to 20 million tenge for investment purposes and up to 5 million tenge for replenishing working capital.

“This year, we have redirected the policy of providing government grants exclusively for social entrepreneurship. The amount of the government grant is up to 5 million tenge per entrepreneur,” the deputy minister reported.

In conclusion, B. Kudaybergenov thanked the participants of the Kurultai and presented awards to the winners of the “Best Social Entrepreneur-2024” competition in the categories of “Social Innovative Solution,” “Sustainable Development,” and “Youngest Social Entrepreneur.”

The Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbayev, participated in the first Central Asian Kurultai on the development of social entrepreneurship. Participants of the meeting, arriving from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, discussed the prospects for the development of this field and voiced their proposals for further support of socially-oriented projects and enterprises.

Welcoming the participants, Maulen Ashimbayev highlighted the growing role of social entrepreneurship in the country’s economy, which is receiving particular attention from the country’s leadership.

"Social entrepreneurs are important partners for government agencies and make a significant contribution to the development of the economy and the solution of urgent social problems. Currently, more than 200 enterprises are included in the Register of Social Entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan. I am confident that the potential of social entrepreneurship in our country is much higher. We expect that this sector will continue to develop steadily," noted the Senate Speaker and familiarized the participants with the mechanisms of government support for social entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan.

During the discussions on the Social Code, special attention was given to issues of employment and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities and socially vulnerable groups.

The Speaker of the Chamber also emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with colleagues from Central Asian countries and the CIS in all areas, including the exchange of legislative experience. Developing such traditionally friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation, as the Speaker noted, is one of the priorities for our country.

"In recent years, cooperation between our countries has successfully and dynamically developed in many areas. The heads of state of the region regularly meet in bilateral and multilateral formats. They discuss urgent cooperation issues and align positions on the most important aspects of the regional and international agenda. In the parliamentary dimension, we are also consistently increasing interaction and partnership. We hope that this forum will become a permanent and effective platform for fruitful cooperation among social entrepreneurs in Central Asia. The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan is ready to provide the necessary support for this initiative and assist in the implementation of regional social initiatives," said Maulen Ashimbayev.

For their part, the meeting participants noted the importance of studying Kazakhstan’s experience in supporting social entrepreneurship. It is worth noting that by the order of the country’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in 2021, the Law on Social Entrepreneurship was developed and adopted. This law defined the legal foundations of activity and the mechanisms of government support for social entrepreneurship.

During the Kurultai, ideas were also voiced regarding the development and financing of social entrepreneurship in rural areas, as well as the creation of relevant networks and communities. There was also a discussion about the need to create projects in the field of ecology and sustainable development, as well as strengthening partnerships between government agencies and the business community.

It should be noted that within the framework of the two-day Central Asian Kurultai of social entrepreneurs, workshops on social entrepreneurship and financial modeling, business strategy development, sales organization, and marketing will be held. Among the organizers are renowned trainers and coaches in the field of social entrepreneurship, including Emin Askeroff, Aigerim Dzhanalinova, Meruert Junisbek, Gulmira Parmysheva, and others.

There will also be a fair of social entrepreneurs' products, "Impact_onim," and a specialized tour, during which participants will learn about the activities of the "Green TAL" workshop, the "Up and Go" development center, and the "Zamandas 21" yard club.

The Akimat of Astana, in collaboration with the Association of Social Innovators, plans to open the first Social Innovation Hub in the country, as reported by the press service of the Akimat.

"We, together with the Association of Social Innovators, plan to open the first Social Innovation Hub in the country in Astana. The hub will become a platform where one can receive education, support, and mentoring," said Deputy Akim of Astana, Yevgeny Glotov, at the Eurasian Kurultai of Social Entrepreneurs.

He noted that small and medium-sized businesses provide jobs for 70% of active residents of Astana, or over 1.5 million people. The highest share of social entrepreneurs in Astana is 23% of the total number.

"Out of 800 entities in the country, 184 are located in Astana," said Glotov.

The Kurultai was attended by representatives of business, bloggers, and activists interested in the development of the social economy.