Almaty to Open Applications for the Participatory Budgeting Program

Almaty will accept project proposals from residents under its Participatory Budgeting Program from October 12 through November 1, 2026, inclusive. Projects that pass the review process and receive public support through voting are scheduled to be implemented by district administrations in 2027.

The Participatory Budgeting Program enables Almaty residents to propose improvements to public spaces and their neighborhoods, while also giving them a direct say in which projects receive municipal funding.

Applications can be submitted online through the official portal at budget.open-almaty.kz.

Applicants must provide a project title and description, specify the proposed location, and attach a preliminary design sketch and cost estimate.

The design sketch and cost estimate may be preliminary. Applicants are not required to prepare comprehensive design and cost documentation at the submission stage. The sketch should illustrate the general concept of the proposed improvements, while the estimate should indicate the approximate cost of implementation.

Project Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for consideration, proposals must meet the following criteria:

• The proposed facility or improvement must be intended for public use.
• The project must address the needs of residents in the relevant district.
• Implementation must fall within the responsibilities of the district administration.
• The project must constitute a complete, self-contained solution that does not depend on additional facilities or components being developed.
• The project must not serve private commercial interests.
• The cost of an individual project must not exceed KZT 324.3 million.

Eligible Project Categories

Residents may submit proposals in the following areas:

1. Landscaping and greening of public areas.
2. Improvement of pedestrian walkways.
3. Construction and repair of sidewalks, accessibility ramps, and drainage channels.
4. Development, renovation, and lighting of public spaces, including parks, squares, pedestrian zones, streets, and other public facilities.
5. Repair of curbs, paving stones, and retaining walls.
6. Removal of illegal waste dumping sites.
7. Installation and repair of gazebos, benches, waste bins, and facilities for children's play and adult recreation in public spaces.
8. Installation, renovation, and lighting of sports facilities, including outdoor fitness areas, football pitches, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as children's playgrounds in residential courtyards and public areas.
9. Improvements to sanitation and public hygiene.

How Will Applications Be Reviewed?

Once the application period closes, expert councils in Almaty's districts will assess all submitted proposals against the program's eligibility requirements.

The review will consider the relevance of each project to local residents, its feasibility, alignment with eligible improvement categories, and whether it duplicates projects already completed.

Following the assessment, each application will receive one of three statuses:

• Approved for Voting – the proposal meets all requirements and advances to the public voting stage.
• Returned for Revision – the applicant must address identified issues before the proposal can proceed.
• Rejected – the proposal does not meet the program's requirements.

Applications that fully comply with the program's rules will be approved for public voting.

Applicants whose proposals are returned for revision will have an opportunity to make the necessary changes and resubmit them for consideration. Notifications will be sent to the email address provided during registration on the budget.open-almaty.kz portal.

How Will Winning Projects Be Selected?

Public voting will take place online through budget.open-almaty.kz, allowing Almaty residents to support the initiatives they consider most important for their communities.

Based on the voting results and available budget allocations, district expert councils will determine which projects will proceed to implementation.

The selected projects will be carried out by Almaty's district administrations.

Updates on application reviews, voting procedures, and selection results will be published on budget.open-almaty.kz.

Further Information

Residents seeking additional information or guidance on participating in the program may contact their respective district administrations or the Open Almaty Public Reception Office of the Almaty City Administration at 224-39-29 (extension 203).