The 2024-2025 season of Beginit ran from September 2024 to June 2025. A total of 2,222 applications were submitted — 2,007 from school students in 10 regions of Kazakhstan, and 215 from the Chuy region of Kyrgyzstan, where the project was launched for the first time.

In the first stage, the Beginit team conducted workshops on social leadership in 12 regions. Following these sessions, 680 students gained access to the online course Leadership for Social Justice, which covered critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork, and project management. A total of 242 students successfully completed the course, with 70 semi-finalists invited to an intensive five-day leadership training camp at a mountain resort near Almaty. From there, 57 finalists were selected to participate in the grand finale.

In 2024, project participants had already made a tangible impact, improving mobility conditions for nearly 60,000 people across six regions of Kazakhstan. For example, a finalist, Balausa Satymbek, successfully implemented a safe bus stop project in the village of Zhasörken in the Zhambyl region by the end of 2024.

Beginit 2025 Winners:

1st Place – $4,000 International Educational Trip:
– Mariam Myrzabek, Aktobe region
– Ildar Bekishev, Kostanay region

2nd Place – $1,500 Computer Purchase Certificates:
– Omar Amangeldi, Zhambyl region
– Taisiya Malysheva, Chuy region, Kyrgyzstan

3rd Place – $1,000 Certificates:
– Mirey Marlis, Chuy region, Kyrgyzstan
– Alexandra Rutskaia, Mangystau region

In addition, 24 participants received invitations to the Foundation Year at inVision U, an innovative leadership university launched by inDrive. The offer includes free accommodation in Almaty, a scholarship, and access to educational programs and mentorship. Anyone interested in applying can fill out an application form on the university’s official website.

The project is supported by government and civil society organizations. In Kazakhstan, partners include Astana Hub and the iQanat Foundation. In Kyrgyzstan, the initiative is backed by the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy and Bilimkana Schools.

About the Program

Beginit is a year-long educational program for high school students from regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan aimed at developing social leadership. Participants study leadership theory through the Leadership for Social Justice course, build critical thinking and communication skills, and, most importantly, implement their own projects to address real issues in their communities.

More information: www.beginit.indrive.com