On August 12, International Youth Day in Shymkent became a platform for new ideas and opportunities. The Jastar Fest festival brought together hundreds of young people and celebrated, while launching new projects with grants worth up to 1 million tenge.

The main event was the results of the city's volunteer initiative competition. Over the course of two months, 36 authors submitted applications. The projects covered topics such as environmental protection, the development of medical volunteering, assistance to adolescents from single-parent families, and the improvement of animal shelters.

The winners were determined by an independent jury consisting of representatives of business, media and NGOs. The authors of the five best projects received grants of 1 million tenge each to implement their ideas. And the activists received letters of appreciation and various prizes. Today, the city's volunteers are actively involved in solving acute social problems, including making a significant contribution to the creation of a "Drug-Free Society".

The festival also marked the launch of the new grant season of the "Youth Drive". From August 12 to September 11, young people from Shymkent can submit their projects in one of the following five areas:
• ActiVO – “Volunteer of the Year”
• CityVibe – “Beautiful City” (The City That Changes Youth)
• NOx – “Drug-free society”
• Innovation + Pulse – “Young Scientist”
• My family – “Family is the main value”

According to the organizers, applications for the "Generations of Independence" competition will also begin in the coming days. The six best projects in the fields of science, culture, IT, business, media, and volunteering will also receive grants of 1 million tenge.

"We understand that young people need not just words of support, but real opportunities — education, business assistance, a modern urban environment, and open dialogue. We are doing everything we can 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 by "Zhaidarman" stars Ulan Mamyrbekuly and Nurym Dosbol, concerts by the Gentleman and Happiness groups, Baglan Zholdasov, interactive games, a DJ set by Romano, and bright fireworks.

Today, Shymkent is home to about 400,000 young people, 134,000 of whom are students. This year, more than 41,000 of them will become graduates.