When the Saby Charitable Foundation turned 17, I wrote that philanthropy rests on three pillars: compassion, empathy, and a willingness to act.<\/p>\n
Today, the Foundation is 23 years old.<\/p>\n
Over the years, we have implemented dozens of projects: schools, hospitals, sports facilities, scholarships, and long-term support programs.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, to this day, philanthropy in Kazakhstan has not yet become a recognized social institution.<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t just build \u2014 we create modern, safe, and fully equipped social infrastructure from the ground up: schools, children\u2019s homes, inclusive playgrounds, pediatric surgical units.<\/p>\n
And yet, the road from idea to implementation is often long and difficult \u2014 not because of objective obstacles, but because of an impenetrable wall of bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
This was the case in 2012, when we set out to build a new Children\u2019s Home in Kyzylorda.<\/p>\n
The existing building was in critical condition. We proposed constructing a new one \u2014 warm, modern, and comfortable.<\/p>\n
But even for this seemingly obvious and necessary initiative, the path to implementation took years:<\/p>\n
\u2014 a year for approval from the city administration,
\n\u2014 a change of site and a complete redesign of the project,
\n\u2014 and then a third redesign after undocumented underground communications were discovered at the construction site.<\/p>\n
The project passed expert review only after nine months, despite numerous formal and often unreasonable objections.<\/p>\n
But in the end, the building was completed. Today, it functions as a crisis center for mothers with children.<\/p>\n
A similar situation occurred with an inclusive playground in Astana.<\/p>\n
Built in 2022, it wasn\u2019t officially handed over to the city until 2024.<\/p>\n
This delay was caused by constant revisions, changes in language, new requirements, and a lack of coordination between agencies.<\/p>\n
Each time, new obstacles emerged: missing documents, or formal inconsistencies were found.<\/p>\n
And this, despite the fact that the project strictly adhered to all standards and was funded entirely through sponsorships.<\/p>\n
Today, we are once again facing the same challenge.<\/p>\n
In 2024, we built a new public school in Astana for the “Zerde” Lyceum.<\/p>\n
The project was completed in full \u2014 from the architectural concept to interior equipment.<\/p>\n
10,000 square meters, including 3,000 square meters of sports and recreational areas.<\/p>\n
And yet, for a year now, we have been unable to transfer the building to the city\u2019s balance.<\/p>\n
There is no clear procedure. No established mechanism.<\/p>\n
This is a systemic issue.<\/p>\n
Formalism, fear of taking responsibility, and a lack of interagency coordination are turning philanthropy into an obstacle course.<\/p>\n
As a result, many potential sponsors lose interest in participating in socially significant projects.<\/p>\n
Over the past 23 years, I have witnessed how the philanthropic landscape in Kazakhstan has evolved:<\/p>\n
From complete distrust \u2014 to the emergence of strong private initiatives, volunteer movements, and professional foundations.<\/p>\n
And yet, there is still no supporting infrastructure.<\/p>\n
No mature system. No stable institutions.<\/p>\n
In Soviet times, philanthropy didn\u2019t exist \u2014 this role was performed by the state.<\/p>\n
Today, in independent Kazakhstan, the sector is only three decades old.<\/p>\n
And it is still in search of itself \u2014 without institutional memory, without mechanisms for cooperation.<\/p>\n
Perhaps this is part of the formation process. Perhaps this is just the beginning.<\/p>\n
But one thing is clear: without civic initiative, there can be no strong state.<\/p>\n
Philanthropy will inevitably become part of our reality.<\/p>\n
The question is: what kind of philanthropy will it be, and what values will it be built upon?<\/p>\n
For it to thrive, it needs more than hearts \u2014 it needs institutions.<\/p>\n
More than good intentions \u2014 it needs mature decisions.<\/p>\n
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