ALMATY – The “Eco-Talk” International Green Business School at the Kazakh-German University will open its doors once again to young entrepreneurs of Central Asia (CA) with the support of the European Union (EU) project “European Union – Central Asia: Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation” (WECOOP), Central Asian Youth for Water Network (CAY4W), International Secretariat for Water Canada (ISW), and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The Green Business School is an educational platform for young people willing to become environmentally-conscious entrepreneurs. It provides them with an opportunity to obtain expert and financial support for the development of environmentally sustainable business projects.

The green growth concept for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is one of the key priorities for the CA states. Under the new Green Deal, the EU member-states demonstrate an outstanding example of setting circular economy targets and helping businesses and consumers in transition to economies with minimal waste and maximum economic efficiency. Promoting the development and capacity-building of social and environmental entrepreneurship, especially among the youth, is the most effective way to achieve environmental goals. The young generation initiates the largest number of promising innovative ecologically sound ideas that increase production efficiency. This also provide unique opportunities for young people’s employment and economic independence. 

Every year, the School holds a competition among the youth to stimulate the generation of innovative ideas for green business. The School’s programme stipulates consultations for participants in various areas. This year, environmental consulting is focused on water quality and water savings, renewable energy and energy efficiency, environmental management, and eco-innovation in sustainable consumption and production. 

The 2020 competition finalists will have an added opportunity to enhance their knowledge by receiving online training from international and regional experts on the basics of the project cycle, market analysis, budgeting, targeting, and specifics of doing green business in CA.

The School also takes into account the gender aspect. A special quota has been established to attract and support women in Central Asia, especially from remote areas of the region. It is expected that at least one of three environmental projects in each country would be implemented by women.

Overall, 12 young entrepreneurs from Kazakhstan, 4 from Kyrgyzstan, 1 from Tajikistan, 1 from Turkmenistan, and 2 from Uzbekistan will take part in the programme this year. The winners will receive grants in the amount from 500 to 3,000 US dollars to develop their own business. 

Background: The EU-funded project “European Union – Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation” (WECOOP) (third phase from October 2019 to October 2022) aims to enhance environment, climate change and water policies at national levels in Central Asia through approximation to EU standards and to promote investments in relevant sectors with the aim of contributing to measurable reductions in man-made pollution, including CO₂ emission. The project activities include support to the EU–CA Platform for Environment and Water Cooperation and its Working Group on Environment and Climate Change, as well as implementation of the EU Green Deal’s international dimension in Central Asia to advance climate action.

For additional information, please contact:

Mrs Yelena Serebrennikova
WECOOP Senior Communication Expert
email: media@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77019814020

Ms Nurgul Smagulova
WECOOP Event and Communication Officer
email: nurgul.smagulova@wecoop.eu
mobile/WhatsApp +77012066760

Yerkezhan Amriyeva
Political, Press and Information Section
EU Delegation to Kazakhstan
email: yerkezhan.amriyeva@eeas.europa.eu