Astana celebrated International Youth Day. The awards ceremony for the winners of the "Tauelsizdik Urpaqtary" grant competition took place as part of the ceremony.
The authors of the 30 best projects in business, science, culture, media, information technology, and volunteering from across the country arrived in the capital. Each received a grant certificate for 3 million tenge to implement their idea.
The President's address on the occasion of International Youth Day was read by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva. In his congratulatory address, the President noted that fundamental reforms are currently underway in all spheres of life in our country. The new Constitution, unanimously supported by our people in a national referendum, has given new impetus to large-scale transformations and paved the way for Kazakhstan's further development and prosperity.
"The policy of supporting youth will always remain one of our state's key priorities. Today, new schools, sports facilities, and development centers are being built in all regions of the republic. Large-scale projects are being implemented, and talented youth are receiving comprehensive support. The "Tauelsizdik Urpaqtary" grant, which will be awarded today, is a clear example of this. The competition, designed to identify the best of the best, brought together progressive, patriotic, educated, and hardworking young citizens," the congratulatory address reads.
Addressing the youth, Aida Balayeva emphasized that the Head of State's congratulations to the youth are more than just a sign of special attention to the younger generation. It is an expression of deep trust in them and recognition of their significant responsibility for the country's future.
"The Head of State's attention to youth is expressed not only in special programs and support measures. The most important thing is the kind of country we are creating today for those who will live, work, and make decisions tomorrow. The President's strategic course shapes not a temporary agenda, but a long-term architecture for Kazakhstan's future. At this new stage of our country's development, great hopes are placed on young people. After all, the younger generation, striving for knowledge, open to new ideas, and responsible in their work, is the state's most important asset. The head of state views youth issues not as a separate issue, but as a guideline for the entire state policy aimed at the future. The ultimate goal of the political, economic, and social reforms initiated by the President is to create conditions for the next generation to live in a strong, secure, and just country," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
Furthermore, Aida Balayeva noted that over the past five years, approximately 1.5 million young people have been employed in Kazakhstan. 192,000 young citizens have mastered the basics of entrepreneurship, and approximately 23,000 have received state grants to start their own businesses.
Under the Nauryz, Otau, and regional mortgage programs, approximately 13,000 young citizens have been able to purchase their own homes. It should be noted that in 2026, more than 2,200 applications were submitted to the "Tauelsіzdіk Urpaqtary" competition, of which 1,745 were accepted for consideration, including 663 in the "Business" category, 383 in "Information Technology," 218 in "Science," 174 in "Culture," 158 in "Media," and 149 in "Volunteering."
The "Tauelsіzdіk Urpaqtary" grant was established at the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in 2021 to support talented youth.
Since its inception, 153 young Kazakhstanis have received the grant.