“UNICEF Zhastary” Youth Hub opens in Kokshetau: a new platform for volunteerism and the advancement of child rights in Akmola region

KOKSHETAU, 20 May 2026 – Today, the Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau University hosted the official opening of the “UNICEF Zhastary” Regional Youth Volunteer Hub. This new space will serve as a strategic resource center for the Akmola region, dedicated to advancing child rights, supporting mental health and psychosocial well-being, and promoting climate action.

The inauguration of the hub was the centerpiece of a high-level UN delegation visit to the region. The event was attended by Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan; Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan; Nikita Shabayev, United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Country Coordinator in Kazakhstan; and Didar Temenov, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the visit, the delegation met with Marat Akhmetzhanov, Akim of the Akmola region, to discuss systemic measures to safeguard childhood in the region. A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UNICEF and Shokan Ualikhanov University, formalizing the hub’s status as a permanent educational and social base for meaningful youth participation.
Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan, noted: 

“Youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force for change today. The opening of this hub in Kokshetau demonstrates our shared commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are creating an environment where every young person’s voice is heard, and their drive to contribute to society receives tangible support.”

Dr. Rashed Mustafa Sarwar, UNICEF Representative in Kazakhstan, emphasized the strategic importance of the new platform: 

“The ‘UNICEF Zhastary’ program is built on the ‘Learn – Share – Lead’ model. Through this new hub in Kokshetau, young people will gain not only knowledge on child rights and mental health, but also a space to connect, create, and lead initiatives that benefit their communities. Volunteers then pass this knowledge on to their peers through a peer-to-peer approach. Across Kazakhstan, volunteering is increasingly becoming a powerful expression of active citizenship among young people, and we are proud to support a new generation committed to building a safer, more inclusive, and child-friendly society.”

Didar Temenov, Director of the Department of Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the initiative's significance within the framework of state policy:

 “At Kazakhstan’s initiative, the United Nations proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers. The opening of this hub in Kokshetau is another step toward expanding this powerful movement. Here in the Akmola region, volunteering will become a catalyst for shaping a new generation of leaders for whom the best interests of the child are an absolute priority.”

The new space is designed as a modern coworking area, featuring:

• Collaborative zones equipped with digital tools;
• A professional media studio for recording podcasts and creating educational content;
• A specialized library focused on child rights, protection, and mental health.

Furthermore, volunteers have access to a dedicated educational platform that offers specialized online courses and a tailored system for individual volunteer assignments.
The establishment of the Kokshetau hub is part of the national “UNICEF Zhastary” network, which already connects more than 10,000 volunteers. The program’s results are impactful: in 2025 alone, volunteers across Kazakhstan collected over 500 tons of waste, planted more than 20,000 trees, and conducted educational sessions for over 100,000 children on child rights and digital safety. The total media reach of the program’s initiatives has exceeded 1 million people.

Over the next two years, UNICEF plans to engage up to 20,000 young people in the volunteer movement and reach more than 2 million children through online projects and six regional hubs nationwide. The new center in Kokshetau is open to all active citizens aged 16 to 35—including schoolchildren, students, and young professionals—ready to develop leadership skills and advocate for every child.