28,000 youth in Astana identified as NEET – qazinform.com

Report on Youth Engagement and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment in Astana

Executive Summary

This report outlines initiatives undertaken in Astana to address youth unemployment and promote civic engagement, with a specific focus on their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Official data indicates that youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) constitute 6.2% of the city’s young population, equivalent to 28,000 individuals. In response, a multi-faceted strategy has been implemented, encompassing employment programs, skills development, and community-building activities. These efforts directly contribute to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Promoting Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

In direct support of SDG 8, which aims to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all, Astana has launched targeted programs to reduce the rate of youth unemployment. The city’s strategy focuses on creating direct employment channels and reducing the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.

• NEET Youth Population: The primary target group is the 28,000 young people classified as NEET, representing a significant challenge to inclusive economic growth.
• Job Fairs: Approximately 40 job fairs have been organized to connect unemployed youth and other citizens with potential employers.
• Jassyl Yel (Green Country) Project: This initiative provided summer employment for 5,200 young people, offering valuable work experience and income, thereby contributing to SDG Target 8.6.

Advancing Quality Education and Lifelong Learning (SDG 4)

To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities, as outlined in SDG 4, the Jol Tap (Find Way) project has been established. This project equips youth with technical and vocational skills relevant to the current labor market, enhancing their employability.

1. Vocational Skills Development: Training is provided for trade professions, including seamstress, barista, and basic accounting. By the end of the year, approximately 5,300 participants are expected to complete this vocational training.
2. Digital Skills Training: To meet the demands of the digital economy, training in specialties such as SMM, targeting, and graphic design is offered. An estimated 2,700 participants are projected to complete these digital programs.

Building Sustainable Communities and Fostering Civic Engagement (SDG 11 & SDG 17)

Astana’s youth strategy extends to fostering social inclusion and creating sustainable urban environments, in line with SDG 11. This is achieved through large-scale civic participation and a robust volunteer network, supported by partnerships as envisioned in SDG 17.

• Taza Qazaqstan (Clean Kazakhstan) Campaign: This national campaign engaged over 100,000 people, with significant youth participation, in urban beautification projects, directly contributing to the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, and sustainable.
• Volunteering and Youth Organizations: The city’s youth resource center, Astana Zhastary, coordinates a network of 6,000 active volunteers. The presence of approximately 30 youth organizations further strengthens the framework for civic engagement and community development.
• Social and Creative Events: To promote well-being and social cohesion, regular events such as sports training, creative contests, podcasts, and mock trials are organized for the city’s youth population of over 481,000.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article discusses the “Jol Tap (Find Way)” project, which provides vocational and digital skills training to young people. This directly relates to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, particularly focusing on skills for employment.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The central theme of the article is addressing youth unemployment. It explicitly mentions the percentage of NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth, job fairs, and employment projects like “Jassyl Yel,” all of which are core components of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article highlights youth involvement in urban beautification through the “Taza Qazaqstan (Clean Kazakhstan)” campaign. It also mentions the strong emphasis on volunteering and the presence of youth organizations, which contribute to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable through community engagement and participation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.” The “Jol Tap” project, which trains youth in digital specialties (SMM, targeting, graphic design) and trade jobs (seamstress, barista, basic accounting), is a direct effort to achieve this target.
2. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people…” The organization of 40 job fairs and the “Jassyl Yel” project, which provided employment to 5,200 young people, are initiatives aimed at achieving this target.
   • Target 8.6: “By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.” The article’s focus on the 6.2% of NEET youth in Astana and the various projects designed to provide them with training and employment directly addresses this target.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…” The “Taza Qazaqstan” campaign, involving over 100,000 people in urban beautification, contributes to improving public spaces, which is a key aspect of this target. The emphasis on volunteering and youth organizations also supports the creation of an inclusive community.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 4, Target 4.4:
   • The number of young people completing training programs is a direct indicator. The article states: “By year-end, nearly 5,300 participants are expected to complete vocational training and 2,700 digital training programs.”
2. For SDG 8, Target 8.6:
   • The proportion of youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET) is the primary indicator. The article provides a specific figure: “NEET youth account for approximately 6.2% of Astana’s young population this year, or 28,000 people.”
3. For SDG 8, Target 8.5:
   • The number of young people who gain employment through specific programs serves as an indicator. The article mentions: “Under the Jassyl Yel (Green Country) project, 5,200 young people obtained employment this summer.”
4. For SDG 11, Target 11.7:
   • Indicators of community participation in urban development and maintenance are mentioned. The article notes: “over 100,000 people, including many young people, were involved in urban beautification” and “The capital currently has 6,000 active volunteers.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: qazinform.com