ACO

In 2008, the informal Association of Charity Organizations was created to consolidate efforts in developing charity work in Kazakhstan. The Association's first members were funds working with children, youngsters and the family. The Association has realized many joint projects, all of which have managed to find their way to becoming amendments to the Kazakhstan Code On Marriage and the Family dealing with adoption and the realization of the first stage of the "I also want to live" project aimed at developing children's cardio surgery in Kazakhstan. As a result operations have been carried out on children weighing less than 10 kg for the first time. The Association has also helped organize the annual "Smile Day" for the pupils in all of Almaty's orphanages and the first international "Charity in Kazakhstan" conference.

Joint activities over the last two years have resulted in companies recognizing the need to work together in their charity efforts, and also in the socio-economic development of underprivileged sections of society into the legally registered Association of Charity Organizations. This decision was supported by 18 NGOs operating in various social sectors at the latest Association meeting which took place on 2 November 2010. At the meeting a decision was taken to concentrate efforts on forming and developing an effective charity system in Kazakhstan that would incorporate the country's traditions and culture; combine the efforts of charity organizations to enable them to oversee larger social projects; participate in law-making; ensure the information transparency of charity organizations based on internal reporting standards for Association members; develop and promote charity volunteers in Kazakhstan; and train organization managers, employees and volunteers.

The Association's development working group is currently actively drawing up internal operating policies and procedures, and preparing for its legal registration. The areas in which the Association will operate initially have already been defined (see the appendix).

The Association of Charity Organizations is sure that the initiative that has been put forward will combine the interests of all organizations working to develop charity and the social sphere in Kazakhstan. For this reason all interested parties sharing the Association's mission, objectives and principles and that are ready to support the initiative have been invited to participate in developing effective charity causes in Kazakhstan.

The Association has been created based on the principles of membership organizations and proposes moderate membership fees. Potential members and partners are made up of commercial and non-commercial organizations.

The Association's initial financial development will be guaranteed by two founders - the Ayala and Dara foundations. Its further financial strategy involves increasing member numbers and a rise in membership fees, as well as an increase in funds from commercial structures and the development of social enterprise. Part of the plan is to actively attract funds from commercial and private sources to realize social projects and Association member projects.