In Kazakhstan, there is a considerable renovation backlog in the housing sector. Buildings consume 47% of the total energy demand, of which residential buildings account for 34%. The "Strategy for achieving carbon neutrality of the Republic of Kazakhstan by 2060" (section 4.1.3) pays particular attention to modernising and expanding the building stock and improving energy efficiency.

In order to overcome the challenges in the housing sector, long-term priorities must be set, including

• a targeted policy on energy efficiency in buildings - creation of framework conditions for the energy modernization of the housing stock, including legislation, financial support programmes, technical principles;
• professional training for specialists;
• information campaigns;
• strategic planning at local level with the broad participation of civil society.

Close cooperation between civil society organisations and local administrative authorities is one of the most important factors for successfully initiating and implementing the reform process in the housing sector, for the modernisation of the housing stock and for the transition towards a stable, sustainable housing industry.

This is where the ENABLE project comes in and its objective corresponds to the overarching goal of the European Union's EuropeAid/176656/DD/ACT/KZ "EU Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organizations" call for proposals: strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations at local level in Kazakhstan. The thematic focus of ENABLE is the "Green Deal" with an emphasis on the energy-efficient modernisation of the housing stock.

Supported by IWO, the three partners - civil society organizations from Kazakhstan - Kazakhstan Parliamentary Development Fund (Astana), Almaty City Association of Apartment Owners ̍ Cooperatives (Almaty) and the Petropavlovsk Regional Association of Consumer Cooperatives of Apartment Owners (Petropavlovsk) will cooperate with local authorities to analyse support programmes for the renovation of apartment buildings in their regions. By building their capacities in the course of the project and studying international experience and know-how in the field of energy modernisation of apartment buildings, the civil society organizations and local authorities will be able to critically evaluate renovation programmes for apartment buildings, develop recommendations and concepts for improving local programmes and integrate energy efficiency measures into these programmes.

In order to increase the capacities of civil society organisations in the field of energy efficiency in buildings, the following activities will be carried out in the course of the project:

• a training programme and study trip to Lithuania,
• an exhibition on the perspectives of large housing estates,
• a competition among civil society organisations on the topic of sustainable housing,
• support for the development of resource centers and
• building a coalition of civil society organisations from the housing sector to lobby on the issue of sustainable housing with a focus on energy-efficient modernisation of the housing stock.

The project benefits the residents and homeowners of apartment buildings who need safe, comfortable and energy-efficient homes. They are interested in modernising their property with energy-saving measures in order to maintain it, increase its value and reduce heating demand and costs.

IWO has been active in Central Asia since 2017 with the support of the EU and is involved in the development of legislation in the housing sector and market economy structures in the field of housing management. IWO is working on the introduction of new specialisations in the field of vocational training - housing managers, caretakers - and is constantly working on the topic of energy-efficient modernisation of apartment buildings:

2017-2020:  PRO HOUSE – Professional Housing Management in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

2020-2023: PROMHOUSE – Promoting Professional Housing Management in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Project documents

Coordinator | Housing Initiative for Eastern Europe (IWO e.V.)

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