Recently, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme presented its first regional report, “Overview of Volunteering in Central Asia.” This document is unique: it brings together data on the volunteer movement in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The report uses specific examples to show how volunteers help solve important social, economic and environmental problems. There are many examples of volunteers actively working to improve conditions for rural schools, organizing educational events and planting trees as part of environmental campaigns. The report also includes an analysis of the key challenges faced by volunteers and offers recommendations for the development of the movement. Among them are the creation of educational programs for volunteers, the introduction of digital platforms for project coordination and the expansion of cooperation with businesses.

The purpose of the document is to show how great the contribution of volunteers to the development of the region is and to propose real steps to strengthen their work. Among the key topics of the report: the current state of volunteering in Central Asian countries, inspiring success stories and specific proposals for NGOs, government agencies and local communities.

The report pays special attention to young people, who make up 60% of all volunteers in the region. “Volunteering is a bridge between generations, a tool for uniting people around common goals and a powerful resource for the sustainable development of the region,” the document says.

Volunteering is not just help. It is a movement that unites people, inspires good deeds and helps create the future. In Turkmenistan, volunteering has always been an integral part of culture. The tradition of “yovar”, when neighbors gather to jointly solve common problems, has lived for centuries. These traditions help strengthen ties within the community, and in the modern world they find new forms. Today, volunteers in Turkmenistan participate in the preparation of major sports events, conduct environmental campaigns, and support families in difficult life circumstances.

The “Overview of Volunteering in Central Asia” as a guide will be useful for everyone who wants to contribute to the development of society, to start their path in volunteering.

You can read the Overview here.