NU's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Vision: To be a leading institution in promoting sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 1: No Poverty
End poverty in all forms, everywhere
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University approaches SDG 1 – No Poverty – with a comprehensive institutional commitment that spans research, social innovation, education, and community engagement. Understanding poverty as a multidimensional challenge, the university aligns its strategic priorities with sustainable development goals to promote inclusion, reduce inequality, and expand access to resources and opportunities for vulnerable populations.
Research and Innovation
Community Impact
Children’s Development Foundation: is dedicated to transforming the lives of children from socially vulnerable groups by addressing key challenges in education, health, and overall well-being. The foundation’s mission is to create opportunities for children to thrive, regardless of their socio-economic background, by providing access to quality education, essential resources, and holistic support systems. Through its efforts, the CDF ensures that every child has the chance to realize their potential and contribute to a brighter future.
The foundation focuses on initiatives such as funding educational programs, supplying learning materials, and supporting extracurricular activities that promote personal and intellectual growth. Additionally, the CDF partners with local communities, schools, and organizations to deliver targeted interventions, including access to healthcare, nutritional programs, and safe living environments. These initiatives aim to break the cycle of poverty by empowering children with the tools and confidence needed to succeed.
The NU Red Crescent Society is a student-led organization dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion and social responsibility within the university community. Its mission is to actively involve students, faculty, and staff in humanitarian initiatives, including disaster relief, health campaigns, and support for vulnerable populations. Through its activities, the society creates opportunities for the NU community to contribute meaningfully to addressing pressing social challenges.
The organization regularly organizes donation drives, volunteer programs, and awareness campaigns to address issues such as poverty, hunger, and emergency preparedness. These initiatives not only provide immediate assistance to those in need but also educate the NU community about the importance of sustainable social support systems. By fostering empathy and action, the NU Red Crescent Society empowers individuals to become agents of positive change both locally and globally.
Kunde Cafe is a pioneering social enterprise that promotes workplace inclusion by providing employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. The cafe creates a supportive environment where employees can gain valuable work experience, develop their skills, and achieve a sense of independence and purpose. By addressing systemic barriers to employment, Kunde Cafe serves as a model for fostering social equity and inclusion in the workplace.
The initiative not only offers meaningful employment but also raises public awareness about the capabilities and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities. Through its operations, the cafe challenges societal stereotypes and advocates for equal opportunities, encouraging other organizations to adopt inclusive employment practices. This creates a ripple effect, fostering greater social acceptance and integration for people with disabilities in the wider community.
Nazarbayev University, in collaboration with the community initiative LikeKomek, has installed donation boxes across the campus to collect unused items such as clothing, shoes, toys, and other goods. Students, staff, and visitors are encouraged to contribute by donating items they no longer need, fostering a culture of giving and sustainability.
The collected items are sorted to maximize their utility. Some are sold at symbolic prices in social shops across Astana, with the proceeds directed toward supporting social projects. Another portion is distributed to low-income families, helping to meet their essential needs. Items unsuitable for reuse are either sent to animal shelters for repurposing or responsibly disposed of at local waste facilities.
The Charity Fair is a community-driven event designed to collect unwanted clothes, toys, and equipment from individuals in order to redistribute them to socially vulnerable groups. Participants are encouraged to donate items they no longer need, fostering a spirit of generosity and solidarity. These donations are then sorted, cleaned, and distributed to individuals and families facing financial hardships, homelessness, or other forms of vulnerability. The goal of the fair is to provide these groups with essential goods that can improve their quality of life and ease their daily struggles.
In addition to meeting immediate material needs, the Charity Fair promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging the reuse and repurposing of items, thereby reducing waste. Items that are no longer suitable for direct use are either recycled or responsibly disposed of, ensuring minimal environmental impact. This initiative highlights the importance of a circular economy, where goods are reused, repurposed, and redistributed rather than discarded.
The foundation focuses on initiatives such as funding educational programs, supplying learning materials, and supporting extracurricular activities that promote personal and intellectual growth. Additionally, the CDF partners with local communities, schools, and organizations to deliver targeted interventions, including access to healthcare, nutritional programs, and safe living environments. These initiatives aim to break the cycle of poverty by empowering children with the tools and confidence needed to succeed.
The NU Red Crescent Society is a student-led organization dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion and social responsibility within the university community. Its mission is to actively involve students, faculty, and staff in humanitarian initiatives, including disaster relief, health campaigns, and support for vulnerable populations. Through its activities, the society creates opportunities for the NU community to contribute meaningfully to addressing pressing social challenges.
The organization regularly organizes donation drives, volunteer programs, and awareness campaigns to address issues such as poverty, hunger, and emergency preparedness. These initiatives not only provide immediate assistance to those in need but also educate the NU community about the importance of sustainable social support systems. By fostering empathy and action, the NU Red Crescent Society empowers individuals to become agents of positive change both locally and globally.
Kunde Cafe is a pioneering social enterprise that promotes workplace inclusion by providing employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. The cafe creates a supportive environment where employees can gain valuable work experience, develop their skills, and achieve a sense of independence and purpose. By addressing systemic barriers to employment, Kunde Cafe serves as a model for fostering social equity and inclusion in the workplace.
The initiative not only offers meaningful employment but also raises public awareness about the capabilities and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities. Through its operations, the cafe challenges societal stereotypes and advocates for equal opportunities, encouraging other organizations to adopt inclusive employment practices. This creates a ripple effect, fostering greater social acceptance and integration for people with disabilities in the wider community.
Nazarbayev University, in collaboration with the community initiative LikeKomek, has installed donation boxes across the campus to collect unused items such as clothing, shoes, toys, and other goods. Students, staff, and visitors are encouraged to contribute by donating items they no longer need, fostering a culture of giving and sustainability.
The collected items are sorted to maximize their utility. Some are sold at symbolic prices in social shops across Astana, with the proceeds directed toward supporting social projects. Another portion is distributed to low-income families, helping to meet their essential needs. Items unsuitable for reuse are either sent to animal shelters for repurposing or responsibly disposed of at local waste facilities.
The Charity Fair is a community-driven event designed to collect unwanted clothes, toys, and equipment from individuals in order to redistribute them to socially vulnerable groups. Participants are encouraged to donate items they no longer need, fostering a spirit of generosity and solidarity. These donations are then sorted, cleaned, and distributed to individuals and families facing financial hardships, homelessness, or other forms of vulnerability. The goal of the fair is to provide these groups with essential goods that can improve their quality of life and ease their daily struggles.
In addition to meeting immediate material needs, the Charity Fair promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging the reuse and repurposing of items, thereby reducing waste. Items that are no longer suitable for direct use are either recycled or responsibly disposed of, ensuring minimal environmental impact. This initiative highlights the importance of a circular economy, where goods are reused, repurposed, and redistributed rather than discarded.
Global Reach
Teaching and Student Life
Financial Assistance Programs: Nazarbayev University is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to quality education and essential resources for its students and staff. The university offers a comprehensive range of financial aid programs, including need-based scholarships, emergency assistance, and other support mechanisms tailored to address the economic challenges faced by members of its community. These initiatives are designed to foster inclusivity and promote equal opportunities, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive academically and professionally.
NU Alumni and Student Fund: Nazarbayev University is dedicated to empowering its community to contribute to societal progress by actively involving alumni and students in social entrepreneurship and development initiatives. These programs provide a platform for participants to address pressing social issues, design innovative solutions, and create sustainable ventures that drive positive change. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the university connects alumni expertise with student energy and creativity, enabling impactful projects that benefit local and global communities.
NU Alumni and Student Fund: Nazarbayev University is dedicated to empowering its community to contribute to societal progress by actively involving alumni and students in social entrepreneurship and development initiatives. These programs provide a platform for participants to address pressing social issues, design innovative solutions, and create sustainable ventures that drive positive change. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, the university connects alumni expertise with student energy and creativity, enabling impactful projects that benefit local and global communities.
Social Development Fund: is a non-profit organization committed to advancing social innovation and empowering communities by addressing critical societal challenges. The fund plays a pivotal role in supporting initiatives across various domains, including education, science, technology, culture, and philanthropy. Through its financial, informational, administrative, and organizational assistance, the SDF enables target groups and individuals to implement transformative projects that promote societal well-being and create lasting positive impacts.
A cornerstone of the SDF’s mission is fostering societal development through socially beneficial projects. By funding initiatives that enhance educational access, encourage scientific discovery, support cultural preservation, and drive technological innovation, the SDF helps build resilient, inclusive, and empowered communities. It prioritizes addressing the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, ensuring that the benefits of progress are shared equitably.
A cornerstone of the SDF’s mission is fostering societal development through socially beneficial projects. By funding initiatives that enhance educational access, encourage scientific discovery, support cultural preservation, and drive technological innovation, the SDF helps build resilient, inclusive, and empowered communities. It prioritizes addressing the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, ensuring that the benefits of progress are shared equitably.
Nazarbayev University’s commitment to SDG 1 is strengthened through collaborative partnerships with national and international organizations that amplify the university’s impact:
Through these partnerships, Nazarbayev University bridges academic knowledge with community engagement and policymaking, offering practical pathways toward inclusive and sustainable development.
- UNICEF: Joint initiatives on child well-being, youth development, and inclusive education.
- UNDP: Partnerships on sustainable development training, gender equity, and regional resilience.
- Kazakhstan Institute of Social Development: Internship placements, co-research, and engagement with national strategies for poverty alleviation.
- CDF and SDF: Platforms for piloting, testing, and scaling socially beneficial projects supported by students and faculty.
Through these partnerships, Nazarbayev University bridges academic knowledge with community engagement and policymaking, offering practical pathways toward inclusive and sustainable development.
Nazarbayev University’s faculty actively contribute to global and national discussions on poverty reduction through interdisciplinary research that spans public policy, business, economics, education, and health systems. These efforts aim to generate evidence that shapes inclusive policy design and strengthens social protection frameworks, particularly in post-Soviet, emerging, and transitioning economies.
Research themes include:
In 2023–2024, NU faculty published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers indexed in Scopus, contributing to fields such as social justice, public administration, healthcare equity, and access to education. These works appear in internationally recognized journals like The Lancet, Sustainability, and International Journal of Public Administration.
Research themes include:
- Gender equity and entrepreneurship: Faculty from the Graduate School of Business (GSB) explore how to build gender-aware entrepreneurial ecosystems and create more inclusive access to capital and innovation.
- Welfare institutions and social protection: The School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) lead projects on welfare modernization, labor precarity, and equitable public service delivery.
- Disability inclusion and human development: Initiatives like the “Empowering Abilities” project frame inclusion through philosophical, legal, and social dimensions, aiming to support people with disabilities in education, employment, and community life.
In 2023–2024, NU faculty published more than 20 peer-reviewed papers indexed in Scopus, contributing to fields such as social justice, public administration, healthcare equity, and access to education. These works appear in internationally recognized journals like The Lancet, Sustainability, and International Journal of Public Administration.
Nazarbayev University’s contribution to SDG 1 reflects its broader mission to promote social responsibility, foster critical inquiry, and support meaningful innovation. By combining rigorous academic research, institutional support for social action, and deep engagement with vulnerable communities, NU is building a more inclusive future — where access to opportunity, dignity, and well-being is not a privilege, but a right shared by all.