The FBRK editorial board conducted an analysis of data on recipients of foreign funding for the first half of 2024. The register includes several influential non-profit organisations that shape civil society in Kazakhstan.
Among them are human rights foundations that monitor compliance with human rights, analytical centres researching socio-political processes in Central Asia, and media organisations developing independent journalism in the region. Let us take a closer look at each of them.
- CAPS Unlock Charitable Public Foundation was founded in 1995. The amount of tax deductions is 702.7 million tenge. The founders of the foundation are Aida Aidarkulova and Nargis Kassenova. The organisation researches socio-economic inequality and the challenges of digital democracy in Central Asia.
- MediaNet International Centre for Journalism, founded in 2004, contributed 154.8 million tenge to the budget. The organisation implements projects in media education and combating disinformation. The founders are Vyacheslav Abramov, Adil Dzhalilov and Duman Smakov.
Previously, Dzhalilov, as a media expert, criticised state information policy, noting that state information orders can "befuddle people" and demotivate the media.
- The international foundation for the protection of freedom of speech "Ádil sóz" paid taxes totalling 100.6 million tenge. The founders are Yevgeny Zhovtis, Tamara Kaleyeva, Zhemis Turmaganbetova, Karlygash Dzhumankulova, Irina Mednikova and Rasul Rysmambetov.
In 2009, Zhovtis received four years in prison for a fatal road traffic accident. Human rights activists considered the case politically motivated. He was released under an amnesty in 2012.
- The "International Legal Initiative" Public Foundation (ILPF) paid taxes totalling 56.9 million tenge. The leaders are Aina Shormanbayeva and Roza Aitikeyeva. In 2017, the organisation was accused of tax evasion, which human rights activists regarded as pressure for their activities.
- The "Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan" Public Foundation (YISK) was founded in 2002. The amount of tax payments was 35.7 million tenge. The founders are Karlygash Dzhumankulova and Irina Mednikova.
Dzhumankulova worked as an advisor on regional media at the US embassy. In December 2022, she was appointed president of the international foundation for the protection of freedom of speech "Ádil sóz". At the same time, Mednikova is the programme coordinator at Internews.
- The PaperLab Public Foundation, established in 2017 by Serik Beisembayev and Malika Tokmadi, paid taxes totalling 25.5 million tenge. Beisembayev, the director of the foundation, interned at George Washington University; Tokmadi graduated from the University of Geneva and worked at the World Bank.
- The "Ar.Rukh.Khak" Public Foundation, founded in 1999, recorded tax deductions of 81.7 million tenge. The founders of the foundation are Galymzhan Meshitbayev and Bakhytzhan Toregozhina.
It is known that Meshitbayev has debts of 36.4 million tenge, a restriction on leaving the country, and seizure of accounts, property and vehicles. In 2010, the organisation was accused of restricting the rights of other NGOs to receive grant funds.
- The "Kádir-kásiet" Public Association, established in 2010, with tax deductions of 67.5 million tenge, has a broad list of founders: Yevgeny Tsai, Zhaniya Ibrayeva, Anara Ibrayeva, Alexander Tsai, Yerbol Nurkhatov, Yevgeny Zhovtis, Alisher Kozhagulov, Nurzhan Nauryzbayev and Roman Reimer.
In 2017, tax officials audited the organisation for receiving profit from foreign sources and tax evasion. It was alleged that "Kádir-kásiet" received foreign funding to destabilise the situation in the country.
The dependence of the non-profit sector on foreign funding raises questions about the influence of foreign foundations on the country's domestic agenda. The inclusion of organisations in the relevant register underscores the need to develop domestic mechanisms for supporting NGOs in order to reduce their dependence on external sources.