A series of meetings with young people has started in Almaty's community centres, dedicated to combating wastefulness — from excessive spending on image to uncontrolled consumption of water and electricity. The project will cover educational institutions and youth centres in the city.
HOW THE MEETINGS ARE STRUCTURED
According to the Department of Youth Policy of the City of Almaty, the initiative is being implemented as part of the project "Zhasar ysyrapushyldykka karsy. Unem – Sana – Mademiet" ("Youth Against Wastefulness. Thrift — Mindfulness — Culture"). Meeting participants discuss consumption habits, attitudes towards loans for ostentatious spending, and the influence of social media on financial behaviour in an interactive format.
The trainings are built around working with thematic cards grouped into three blocks: "Unem" (thrift), "Sana" (mindfulness and rationality), and "Mademiet" (culture). Participants analyse real-life situations and propose concrete solutions.
"The participants analysed real-life situations and proposed concrete solutions that can be applied starting today," emphasised the Acting Director of the State Fund for the Development of Youth Policy of the City of Almaty, Chairperson of the Public Foundation "QAMQOR CHARITY", Bagdat Anarbayeva.
WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING
The topics of the meetings cover a wide range of issues: saving water and electricity, a mindful approach to finances, rejecting loans for status-driven consumption, the culture of "living for show" on social media, as well as the rational use of food and other resources.
"We often don't think about what we spend money and resources on. Here, you come to realise that a lot can be changed right now, with simple daily decisions," shared one of the participants.
WHERE THE PROJECT IS EXPANDING
Activists from the community centres have already handed the baton to universities and colleges. The project is planned to be implemented at educational institutions and youth centres in Almaty, reaching a wide range of the city's young people.
"Today, it is especially important to cultivate an understanding among young people that thrift is not a limitation, but a sign of maturity and mindfulness. It is a new culture that directly affects quality of life," noted the Department of Youth Policy of the City of Almaty.
