Halyk Charitable Fund becomes the ‘People’s Favorite’ for the second year in a row
The Halyk Charitable Fund of Timur Kulibayev has become the laureate of the public award ‘People’s Favourite’ for the second year in a row. The award is given based on the results of a public vote and reflects the level of trust and recognition of social projects among the population.
In 2025, the foundation implemented about 60 projects in the fields of education, sports, ecology, and social support. The total amount of funding amounted to 10.3 billion tenge. According to representatives of the foundation, the award is seen not as a goal, but as public recognition of the work already done.
From ecology to rural sports
One of the most large-scale initiatives, according to the foundation, was the environmental program ‘Halyk Ormany’ (Halyk Forests). Within the framework of the project, a memorandum was signed with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan. The document provides for the planting of more than four million seedlings in the areas of ‘Semey Forest,’ Ile-Alatau National Park, and the ‘green belt’ around Astana. The project is planned for five years, with a budget estimated at one billion tenge.
In the field of education, the foundation continued implementing the ‘Talimger’ project, aimed at developing entrepreneurial thinking among schoolchildren and students. In the Mangystau region, the course ‘Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Business’ was introduced in educational institutions, and more than 230 teachers and career guidance specialists were trained.
In 2025, the foundation paid special attention to the development of mass children’s sports in rural areas. According to the organizers, the AUYL SPORT program reached over 20,000 children. In the second season of the project, 11,700 schoolchildren from 300 villages participated across seven sports. The competition winners, as part of the Kazakhstan national team, won gold medals at the Gymnasiade held in Serbia.
The Fund emphasizes that thanks to its significant social impact and wide reach, AUYL SPORT was recognized by popular vote as the ‘Best Project of the Year’ and awarded the ‘People’s Favourite’ prize.
Galymbek Zhaksilykov, Executive Director of Halyk Charitable Fund, notes that the award is primarily an acknowledgment of the hard work and aspirations of thousands of rural children.
“We understand that involving children in sports is impossible without developing infrastructure, so we are carrying out systematic work in this direction. It is about equal access to infrastructure, coaches, and systematic support for children who live far from large cities,” he says.
Infrastructure and social projects
In 2025, the foundation also took part in the development of regional infrastructure. The construction of a physical culture and wellness complex began in Zhanaozen, and support was provided for the establishment of a football academy in Taraz, meeting FIFA and UEFA standards.
“Social and educational initiatives included the AI Summer School, ACG-2025, IT-FEST projects, as well as cybersecurity programs at the ‘Arystan’ lyceum. Within the framework of the HALYQ STUDENTI grant program, 20 students received support.
The foundation continued its cooperation with SOS Children’s Villages. According to the organizers, since 2019, the implemented programs have helped more than 2,500 children maintain the opportunity to live in a family environment. In 2025, an integrated home for teenagers preparing for independent living was opened in Astana. The first stage of gasification of homes for socially vulnerable families was completed in Almaty.
Public recognition
The ‘People’s Favourite’ award became a repeated recognition for the foundation from the public. According to representatives of the charitable organization, experts note that such awards increasingly serve as indicators not of one-time actions, but of sustainable and long-term social programs.
The foundation itself emphasizes that in the coming years it intends to maintain its focus on projects aimed at expanding opportunities for people and regions in education, sports, ecology, and the social sphere.
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