RU
2025
Project: Micro-entrepreneurship in towns: motives, conditions, prospects (on the example of Taraz, Semey, Kyzylorda, Uralsk, Pavlodar towns)
Kazakhstan

The Public Foundation "Center for Social and Political Research “Strategia"
The share of small business, including microbusiness, has reached 55% in Kazakhstan, and this sector employs 42% of the country's economy. Despite the fact that the state is interested in the development of mass entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan, microenterprises are not the subject of high-quality state support and development. There is an underestimation of the social function/role of microentrepreneurship in terms of employment and self-employment, as well as improving the financial sustainability and well-being of families. There are no statistics on the category of microentrepreneurs; there is no systematic study of this group, the potential for entrepreneurial activity among the population of the regions and the motives that lead people to engage in microentrepreneurship.
Overall objective:
Research the social function/role of microentrepreneurship in Kazakhstan in providing effective employment/self-employment for the population and improving the financial sustainability and well-being of families.

The aims of the project:

  • Analysis of the effectiveness/success of the measures taken by the state to support microentrepreneurship in Kazakhstan.
    1
  • Study of the potential of entrepreneurial activity among city residents on the example of five regional centers of Kazakhstan (cities of Taraz, Semey, Kyzylorda, Uralsk, Pavlodar).
    2
  • Preparation and publication of an analytical report on the research outputs.
    3
  • Organizing and conducting a public discussion on the research topic on a level of expert and academic communities (together with the RLS CA).
    4
  • Development of an electronic information booklet with brief research results for organizations providing information and consulting, educational and mentoring support to start-up entrepreneurs.
    5
Discussion "Microentrepreneurship in Cities: A Voluntary Decision or a Forced Measure" (October 14, 2025)

The main activities of the project are:

  • Conducting sociological research focused on studying the potential of entrepreneurial activity among city residents on the example of five regional centers of Kazakhstan (cities of Taraz, Semey, Kyzylorda, Uralsk, Pavlodar).

  • Publishing an analytical report on the research results.

  • Round table discussion “Microentrepreneurship in Cities: a Voluntary Choice or a Forced Measure” (October 14, 2025).

Download a publication (RU)