Grants for business development could be obtained at the new youth center in Almaty

NUR-SULTAN, 1 July 2021 – The office was established to help young people from socially vulnerable groups learn the basics of business; social entrepreneurship; time management; critical, innovative and creative thinking; communication and leadership skills; teamwork for free. To join the project it is necessary to fill out an online application form on jashome.org.

Except training students can seek grants on a competitive basis for realization of their business ideas under supervision of a mentor.

‘The opening of the Samgau UpShift project office is an important event, since this institution is a stage of inclusion providing young people the opportunity to fully adapt to society, which is necessary to strengthen future opportunities and further successful socialization,’ said Yerlan Aukenov, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population.

Veronika Vashchenko, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Kazakhstan, expressed the hope that the skills acquired within the project will contribute to the growth of the Kazakhstan youth competitiveness.

‘Globalization and technological progress constantly raise standards in the labor market which are difficult to meet if one is young and has had no work experience yet. Therefore, it is crucial for young people to develop their entrepreneurship, teamwork and cooperation skills to increase their competitiveness,’ she said.

Youth, who will be getting training within this project, has taken part at the official opening alongside MLSPP and UNICEF representatives. They have shared their ideas with the guests.

It is worth noting that previously ‘Samgau UpShift’ was implemented only online. So, during the quarantine, more than one thousand young people has taken part in the training conducted by mentors certified in the methodology of non-formal education.

More than 30 life skills seminars, 2 online bootcamps were held. Nine teams have already received mini-grants and are implementing their business ideas. The project also covers 11 schools and 6 youth resource centers from different regions of Kazakhstan.

‘Samgau UpShift’ is a program launched by UNICEF and MLSPP for young people with a focus on the most vulnerable groups (young people living with HIV and other chronic diseases, with disabilities, left without parental care). Being the flagship initiative of the UNICEF Innovation Laboratory, the program combines best practices in youth development, social innovation and entrepreneurship through the UPSHIFT methodology.