Bulat Utemuratov Foundation transforms Kazakhstan with bold cultural and social projects
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has expanded its social and cultural news across Kazakhstan in recent years. Its projects now include a $20 million community centre in Koshchy, a major autism support programme, and the upcoming Palace of Schoolchildren in Zhezqazghan. This month, the foundation also celebrated the 50th anniversary of Olzhas Suleimenov’s Az-Ia by hosting an international conference and releasing a new edition of the book. In Koshchy, the newly opened community centre has quickly become a focal point for local residents. Built at a cost of $20 million, the facility offers clubs, cultural events, and educational lectures. Attendance figures have already surpassed initial expectations, drawing more visitors than projected. The foundation’s ‘Autism. One World for All’ programme has provided free services to 17,000 children in 12 cities since 2015. Alongside this, over 300 specialists have been trained to work at Asyl Miras autism centres nationwide. Another key initiative, the ‘Balameken’ project in Astana, saw the donation of 500 comfort-class apartments worth 10.5 billion tenge. These homes were allocated to public-sector workers, addressing housing needs in the capital. The foundation has also launched an ambitious environmental effort to restore the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. Using E-seed technology, the project aims to revive the ecosystem in one of Kazakhstan’s most affected regions. Looking ahead, construction has begun on the Palace of Schoolchildren in Zhezqazghan. Scheduled to open in 2026, the centre will serve as a modern hub for youth talent development. Recently, the foundation received international recognition, winning the EUROBAK Awards 2025 in the Corporate Social Responsibility category. The honour reflects its broad contributions to education, healthcare, and cultural preservation. To mark the 50th anniversary of Az-Ia, the foundation hosted the 7th International Conference ‘The Birth of Turkology’. A new edition of Suleimenov’s influential book was also presented during the event, reinforcing its legacy in Kazakh literature. The foundation’s work now spans education, healthcare, environmental restoration, and cultural heritage. Its projects continue to reach thousands of people, with new facilities and programmes set to expand in the coming years. The organisation’s efforts have earned both local impact and international recognition.
