Kazakhstan

IRI has worked with civil society in Kazakhstan since the 2019 political transition, helping organizations analyze and advocate for reforms across the political system and for all people.

Since longtime president of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev stepped down in 2019, and was replaced through a contested presidential election, the country has grappled with questions over openness in politics and over the evolution of political institutions to match the pace of a rapidly changing country. By working with civil society organizations (CSOs), IRI connects emerging and current leaders in Kazakhstan with citizens and their priorities. IRI also helps build networks between leaders and CSOs, in order to share experiences and collaborate on policy advocacy. IRI has also recently supported an initiative to research recent electoral legislation, providing a critical opportunity for Kazakhstan’s citizens to provide input on elections in their country.