A key trend in Kazakhstan’s enabling environment in 2025 has been the systematic expansion of control over civic space. This disabling trend happens in a context of ongoing dialogue between the government and local NGOs. The state has been actively promoting itself as a “listening state” – holding public meetings, national forums or hearings with CSOs and expert councils. However, the organisations that most often participate in such processes are those that do not harshly criticize the government or those created with the support of local authorities and relevant ministries. These organisations receive substantial grants to participate. This creates the appearance of pluralism, while alternative organisations are excluded from participation and additionally face stricter reporting requirements, registration difficulties and administrative pressure. Despite constitutional guarantees, Kazakhstan’s authorities continue to violate freedom of assembly, expression and association and regularly use excessively vague legislative articles to persecute critics of the government. This especially affects journalists and social media activists.
Although public funding for CSOs has increased, it is predominantly directed to support service-delivery organisations, excluding human rights-based organisations and think tanks. The sharp decline in foreign funding has also become a threat to the existence of key civil society organisations.
To support an enabling environment for civil society, there are legal mechanisms such as the work of the Constitutional Court, strengthened local self-government through direct elections of akims (head of local governments), and development of the institute of public council. The akim elections, held since 2021, facilitate broader civic engagement as they are elected directly by the local population, are accountable to them, and thus encourage active participation in decision-making. At the same time, the current legal regulations establish additional reporting obligations for non-profit organisations that go beyond the standard requirements applicable to all legal entities.
Kazakhstan’s civil society is undergoing a transformation, facing external threats such as geopolitical tensions and the reduction of international financing as well as internal challenges, such as a narrowing of civic space, legislative pressure and trust gaps between the government, media and society. At the same time, the influence of government-organised nongovernmental organisations (GONGOs) created with the financial support of the state is increasing. These GONGOs do not support the diversity of opinions and public discourses but serve as a tool for governmental influence and to legitimise undemocratic authoritarian principles. Such organisations are active both within the country and at OSCE meetings and other global platforms.
Despite these challenges, the voice of Kazakhstan’s civil society representatives on the global stage is becoming more visible, and the political discourse is becoming more professional and mature.
