New U.S. Grants Aim to Boost Youth Skills and Media Freedom in Kazakhstan

Two new U.S.-funded grant opportunities have been launched in Kazakhstan, focusing on youth empowerment and media protection. The initiatives are supported by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan and are open to Kazakhstani and U.S.-based nonprofit and educational organizations.

The first opportunity, titled “Creating Opportunities through Market Development in Sports and Digital Skills”, offers funding between $10,000 and $40,000 (up to $100,000, depending on project scale). It targets youth aged 18–25, particularly outside major cities, and aims to build their professional capacity through sports and digital training programs. Projects should also promote Kazakh-American cooperation, such as through sports exchanges, workshops with U.S. experts, or digital literacy courses based on American best practices. The grant will fund 4 to 8 projects, and the application deadline is July 17, 2025.

The second grant, titled “Legal Support for Kazakh Media”, focuses on safeguarding press freedom amid recent legal changes in Kazakhstan. Grants range from $50,000 to $100,000, and the application deadline is March 14, 2025. This program supports initiatives that provide legal training to journalists, law students, and civil society actors. It also includes direct legal aid for journalists facing prosecution under the country’s new Mass Media Law, along with efforts to promote ethical journalism and digital rights.

Both grants require a strong U.S. component—such as American partners, curriculum models, or expert involvement—to qualify. Projects should run for up to 12 months and must demonstrate impact through clear objectives and evaluation plans.

The U.S. Embassy emphasized that these grants reflect its broader commitment to supporting democratic values, youth development, and freedom of expression in Kazakhstan. They also align with efforts to build long-term U.S.–Kazakhstan partnerships.

Together, these opportunities aim to strengthen civil society by empowering youth with marketable skills and protecting journalists through legal support. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and align their proposals with U.S. public diplomacy goals.