In Shymkent, on August 12, International Youth Day turned into a platform for new ideas and opportunities. The Jastar Fest festival brought together hundreds of young people not only to celebrate, but also to launch projects with grants of up to 1 million tenge.

The main event was the summing up of the city competition of volunteer initiatives. In two months, applications for participation were received from 36 authors. The topics ranged from environmental protection and development of medical volunteering to helping teenagers from single-parent families and arrangement of animal shelters.

The winners were determined by an independent jury, which included representatives of business, the media and NGOs. The authors of the five best projects received 1 million tenge each to implement their ideas, and the activists received letters of gratitude and various prizes. Volunteers of the city are already actively helping to solve pressing social problems, including making a significant contribution to the construction of "Esirtkisiz Kogam" - a society without drugs.

The festival also became the starting point for the new grant season "Zhas Drive". From August 12 to September 11, young Shymkent residents can submit their projects in one of five directions:
• ActiVO – “Erikti Zhas” (Volunteer of the Year)
• CityVibe – “Korikti kala” (A city that changes youth)
• NOx – “Esirtkisiz kogam” (Drug-Free Society)
• Innovation + Pulse – “Zhas Galym” (Young Scientist)
• My family – “Otbasy – basty kundylyk” (Family is the main value)

According to the organizers, applications for the "Tauelsizdik Urpaktary" competition will also be accepted soon. The six best projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media and volunteering will also receive 1 million tenge each.

"We understand that young people need not just words of support, but real opportunities - education, help in business, a modern urban environment and open dialogue. We are doing everything to make these opportunities a reality," said the mayor of the metropolis, Gabit Syzdykbekov.

The festive atmosphere was complemented by motivational speeches in the TEDx format from the stars of "Zhaidarman" - Ulan Mamyrbekuly and Nurym Dosbol, concerts by the bands Gentleman and Happiness, singer Baglan Zholdasov, interactive games, a DJ set from Romano and a bright fireworks display.

Today, almost 400 thousand young people live in Shymkent, of which 134 thousand are students. More than 41 thousand will become certified specialists this year.