Government, Business and Civil Society Join Forces to Advance Environmental Education in Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Coca-Cola İçecek Kazakhstan, and the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development Sign the Action Plan for the 11th Season of the ReStart Project

Astana, November 5, 2026 – During the Astana ESG Forum 2026, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Coca-Cola İçecek Kazakhstan, and the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development signed an Action Plan for the implementation of the 11th season of the ReStart project.

The Plan has been developed in line with the Address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered to the people of Kazakhstan on September 8, 2025, which highlighted concerns regarding the risks of a large-scale environmental crisis and emphasized the importance of engaging young people in fostering environmental awareness and promoting a circular economy in Kazakhstan. The initiative is also aligned with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Education.”

The primary objective of the signed Plan is to establish a sustainable platform for cooperation among government, civil society, and business entities in implementing initiatives related to environmental protection, sustainable development, and environmental education.

The project aims to strengthen environmental awareness, promote sustainable development principles, and integrate green economy practices into the country’s higher education system. Key priorities include supporting youth-led environmental initiatives, developing student eco-clubs and scientific communities at universities, implementing waste separation projects and green campus initiatives, as well as promoting green projects and attracting partners and investors.

The Plan builds on the ten-year experience and achievements of CCI Kazakhstan’s “3.2.1. Start!” project, which was transformed last year into ReStart, expanding its focus to sustainable development and environmental education. Today, ReStart has become Kazakhstan’s largest environmental platform promoting a culture of waste separation and plastic recycling.

In 2024, during the project’s 9th season, 14 universities from 7 regions of Kazakhstan participated, engaging more than 100,000 students. Over the course of the year, participants collected more than 35 tonnes of plastic waste, exceeding the results of the previous season.

In 2025, during the 10th anniversary season, the project significantly expanded both its geographic reach and participant base, bringing together 23 universities from 10 regions of Kazakhstan. Participants collected more than 67 kilograms of plastic waste, which was subsequently recycled and used in the production of new products.

Over the years, dozens of student eco-clubs have been established, and numerous waste separation and recycling initiatives have been introduced, many of which have become permanent practices within participating universities.

The ReStart initiative is intended to become a new milestone in sustainable development and Kazakhstan’s contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.

"Environmental education delivers the greatest impact when knowledge is reinforced through practical experience. Universities can serve as platforms for developing and implementing solutions, from establishing waste separation systems to launching student-led environmental projects. Continued cooperation through ReStart will help scale successful practices and engage even more young people in sustainability efforts," said Aliya Rakhimbekova, Chairperson of the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development.

Madiyar Kozhakhmet Duisenbaiuly, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted:

"The approval of this Action Plan marks an important step toward nurturing a new generation of environmentally responsible citizens. Universities are becoming centers for the adoption of green technologies and the promotion of sustainable development practices. In this regard, the Ministry will support the integration of environmental programs into educational curricula and foster sustainable waste management models across universities."

According to the parties, implementation of the Action Plan will enable the successful experience of the ReStart project to be scaled nationwide, strengthen the integration of sustainable development principles into university operations, enhance environmental awareness within academic communities, and expand cooperation between academia, business, and civil society.