NPOs in Central Asia: Contribution to Development, Governance and Sustainability

Author Group

• Editor-in-Chief – N. Dobretsova, Chair of the Board, Public Association “Development Policy Institute”
• Lead Author and Analyst – M. Semenyak
• Methodology Consultants – A. Mambetov, A. Kurbanova, Public Foundation “Civic Participation”

Country Report Authors and Consultants:

• Kazakhstan – A. Gladkikh, Association for the Development of Civil Society “ARGO”, Almaty.
• Kyrgyzstan – A. Mambetov, A. Kurbanova, Public Foundation “Civic Participation.”
• Tajikistan – Kh. Rasulova, Public Organization “Evaluation for Sustainable Development.”
• Turkmenistan – S. Agabalayev, Public Organization “Keyik Okara.”
• Uzbekistan – N. Karimberdieva, Yuksalish Movement.

Project Administrative Group
- S. Mustafaeva, A. Buzurmankulova, Zh. Ibragimov

N – NPOs in Central Asia: Contribution to Sustainable Development, Governance and Sustainability. – Bishkek: Development Policy Institute, 2026. – 90 pages.

This report assesses the contribution of non-profit organisations to the socio-economic development of Central Asian countries. It examines NPOs in their multiple roles as economic actors, providers of socially important services, partners of the state, drivers of local development, sources of applied expertise, and channels for feedback from citizens and communities. Particular attention is given to those dimensions of their work that are often under-recognised: their impact on governance quality, the investment climate, private sector development, the reduction of barriers for vulnerable groups, and the resilience of local communities.

The report demonstrates that NPOs in Central Asia are far more than project implementers and service providers – they constitute a vital development resource in their own right. Through their activities, they create employment, attract and redistribute resources, support vulnerable populations, contribute to policy development and monitoring, promote local initiatives, foster entrepreneurship, and help build a more sustainable, transparent, and enabling environment for people, communities, and businesses.

The study is based on a regional synthesis drawing together statistical data, case studies, expert assessments, and a typology of NPO contribution models across the five countries of Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Combining quantitative and qualitative methods, it analyses the NPOs’ contribution across institutional, economic, social, governance, and thematic dimensions. Given data limitations and differences in national datasets, the report avoids direct cross-country rankings or comparisons. Instead, it highlights the uniqueness, innovation, effectiveness, and sustainability of NPO-developed solutions – flexible, targeted models that complement state and market programmes while addressing gaps where the capacities of government, business, and families fall short.

This report is intended for a wide audience, including government officials, civil society representatives, donors, businesses, researchers, and members of the public interested in gaining a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the role of NPOs in the development of Central Asia.