LocationsLocal governance workshops strengthened capacities in the Abay and Ulytau regions
July 24, 2025
UNDP, in cooperation with local authorities, has concluded a series of regional workshops aimed at enhancing local governance and promoting inclusive decision-making across the Abay and Ulytau regions.
Held between May and June 2025, the workshops brought together representatives from local akimats, public councils, maslikhats, and NGOs in eight districts: Ayagoz, Kokpekty, Makanshy, and Zhanasemey in the Abay Region; and Karazhal, Satpayev, Zhanaarka, and Ulytau in the Ulytau Region.
The workshops provided a platform to strengthen institutional capacities, foster cross-sectoral dialogue, and equip participants with practical tools to improve public service delivery and community engagement.
The sessions were designed to reflect national governance reforms, including the implementation of Kazakhstan’s new Budget Code and updates to regional planning and public administration standards. Over two days, participants examined the structure of the public administration system and inter-level coordination mechanisms, with a particular focus on the roles and responsibilities of oblast, district, and village-level authorities.
The workshops also introduced methodologies for results-based planning and project management in the public sector. Participants explored approaches for developing socially responsive local initiatives, identifying priority areas in collaboration with citizens, and formulating project concepts grounded in data and regional context.
“We are pleased that UNDP supports remote communities such as Emeltau,” said Kadirzhan Kabdikalimov, akim of Emeltau rural district. “Located on the border with the Karagandy region, Emeltau is 600 km from the regional center and 240 km from the district center of Ayagoz. Through UNDP’s regional programme, we, for instance, want to address challenges such as recurring forest fires.”
Particular attention was given to participatory budgeting as a mechanism for citizen engagement. Through facilitated discussions and practical exercises, participants analyzed how local governments can institutionalize inclusive budgeting practices and ensure transparent allocation of resources.
Sessions on public oversight mechanisms reviewed the legal framework governing public councils and examined how these bodies can serve as effective channels for community feedback and accountability. A role-play exercise simulating the review of a local executive’s report enabled participants to apply these principles in practice.
The workshops were delivered by national experts, Sholpan Aytenova and Altynai Nurkeeva, who facilitated interactive sessions that combined presentations, peer exchange, and group work. After each workshop, participants developed preliminary project proposals and discussed pathways for further support and implementation.
“The norms of the new Budget Code have been adopted: local budgets have more revenues. The development of regions now depends on how effectively resources are managed and how actively the community is involved,”said Sholpan Aytenova.
In July and August, the second round of workshops will be held in both regions. These sessions will focus on fostering communication, enhancing transparency, and ensuring accountability in local governance, building on the groundwork established during the first round.
These workshops are part of the UNDP’s regional development programme, which started in 2024 to support the Abay and Ulytau regions — Kazakhstan’s newest administrative units. The initiative targets local disparities in access to essential services, employment opportunities, and infrastructure, while helping communities unlock their development potential in alignment with the SDGs.
