Volunteerism in Kazakhstan is a way of life

Kazakhstan’s volunteer tradition links to the nomadic 'asar' practice and was prominent during the COVID‑19 pandemic and the 2024 flood response.

Volunteerism in Kazakhstan is presented as both a contemporary civic practice and a continuation of historical mutual aid. The year has been designated the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, and Kazakhstan previously marked 2020 as the Year of Volunteer. Volunteers were notably active during the COVID‑19 pandemic and in responses to recent natural disasters. The article describes a range of local projects, from environmental education to knitted garments for premature infants. Key points: - The UN designated the year as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development. - Kazakhstan declared 2020 the Year of Volunteer and volunteers supported communities during the COVID‑19 pandemic by delivering food, medicine and assistance to vulnerable people. - Volunteers played a central role in relief during the 2024 floods, organizing collection points, helping families relocate and working alongside emergency services. - Kazakhstan’s volunteer community also provided international aid after the Türkiye earthquake, reported as more than 500 tons of humanitarian aid and 150 yurts. - Volunteer traditions are linked to nomadic practices such as "asar," a form of collective, unpaid assistance used historically for survival and mutual support. - Young people and regional projects focus on environmental education, recycling and vermiculture, and smaller initiatives include the 28 Loops knitted garments project and individual rehabilitation work. Summary: Volunteerism in Kazakhstan connects historical forms of mutual assistance with modern civic engagement and emergency response, and it includes family and youth participation in education and environmental projects. The International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development highlights this continuity. Undetermined at this time.