Investing in People: A Year in Review for AÑSA Foundation

Throughout the year, the foundation implemented and supported initiatives across education, healthcare, inclusion, and sports - not through one-off campaigns, but by building sustainable development models with long-term social impact.

At the heart of AÑSA Foundation’s approach is human capital development: training local professionals and introducing solutions that remain effective beyond their pilot phases.

Rural Areas as Growth Drivers: “Baquatty Audan”

One of the year’s flagship initiatives was AÑSA Foundation’s involvement in the “Baquatty Audan” pilot project in the Tselinograd district of Akmola Region. Implemented in partnership with the Esen Foundation and the AMANAT party, the project focuses on the integrated development of rural territories.

With 37% of Kazakhstan’s population - around 7.6 million people living in rural areas and over 6,200 villages and settlements nationwide, building sustainable solutions for the regions is not just a social goal, but a strategic development priority.

Project outcomes were reviewed during a roundtable held in Astana, attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration, government bodies, expert communities, and social and charitable foundations.

“Baquatty Audan” demonstrated that meaningful change is possible without major capital investments through targeted interventions, professional training, and the adoption of modern governance and educational practices.

From Methodological Isolation to Professional Communities

Education was a key pillar of the “Baquatty Audan” project, with a focus on improving school education quality and addressing staffing challenges in rural schools.

Key results:

• Over 300 lessons, training sessions, and seminars were conducted with trainers from the Center for Pedagogical Excellence (NIS).
• 500 teachers and 90 school principals underwent professional development.
• A portion of the qualification quota gap was closed, reducing teacher burnout by 20%.

A major institutional milestone was the launch of the Rural Pedagogical Academy, uniting nearly 1,000 teachers across 7 professional communities. A coworking center was opened in the village of Akmol, where educators now jointly develop methods, test materials, and adapt curricula.

This helped create a unified district-wide educational ecosystem: solutions developed in one school are quickly adopted by others, narrowing the quality gap.

Additional education also received special attention. Courses in AI, robotics, biotechnology, mobile videography, theater, and music became available directly in rural schools. As a result, extracurricular participation reached 59% in Talapker and 83% in Kyzylzhar.

Experts agree that investment in functional literacy reading, math, and critical thinking - is directly tied to future economic indicators and the reduction of social inequality. 

Unified Standards and Practical Accessibility in Inclusion

Inclusion was a dedicated focus of “Baquatty Audan.” Over 300,000 people with disabilities live in rural Kazakhstan, yet access to quality infrastructure remains limited.

In Tselinograd district:

• 4 inclusive classrooms were opened in the villages of Orazak, Altynsarin, Kyzylzhar, and Karamen Batyr.
• 63 children are receiving continuous educational support.
• 20 specialists were trained to work with children with special educational needs.

The pilot model was scaled regionally: a fifth inclusive classroom was opened in Kokshetau, fully aligned with project standards. This lays the foundation for a unified approach to inclusive education across Akmola Region.

Healthcare: Strengthening Primary Care Without Capital Costs

In healthcare, the project focused on workforce development and equipping frontline services. Modern diagnostic methods and telemedicine helped improve rural healthcare without new infrastructure construction.

Results to date:

• 492 medical professionals received training;
• 40 nurses completed advanced training at the National Cardiology Center;
• 171 nurses and 52 doctors were certified in BLS standards.

Additionally, the Tselinograd District Clinic received:

• 9 telemetry ECG devices (staff trained, local demand fully covered);
• 10 desktop computers and 5 printers;
• 1 service vehicle.

For rural areas, this model is particularly impactful: it reduces diagnostic time, lowers risks, and elevates the role of frontline medical workers. The trained staff continue to work in local communities, ensuring long-term impact.

Inclusion Through Sports: Partnership with the Boccia Federation of Kazakhstan

Since 2025, AÑSA Foundation has been the official partner of the Kazakhstan Boccia Federation. The partnership aims to develop parasports, support the national team, and promote inclusive values across society.

The highlight of the year was the Astana 2025 World Boccia Challenger, part of the qualification cycle for the 2028 Paralympic Games. The event brought together 56 athletes from 12 countries and received high marks from the international governing body BISFed. Kazakhstan’s national team earned 6 medals, including 3 golds signaling a growing international competitiveness.

Impact Partnership in Ice Hockey

Another milestone was the foundation’s impact partnership with Barys Hockey Club, one of Kazakhstan’s most recognized sports teams. The collaboration focuses on developing youth hockey, supporting young athletes, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Sports are seen as a tool to foster personal and social development teaching responsibility, respect for effort, and resilience.

Looking Ahead

The results of 2025 confirmed the effectiveness of AÑSA Foundation’s approach, based on partnership, professional development, and systemic solutions. The year’s initiatives showed that lasting social change is possible when the focus is on scalable models, not one-off actions in education, healthcare, inclusion, and sports.

Looking forward, AÑSA Foundation is committed to scaling what works. The foundation will continue to unite partners across sectors to make social change part of everyday practice, not just isolated projects.