ENC In-Depth

ENC In-Depth Podcast: Promoting Equal Opportunities through the EU-funded “Sanarip Insan” (Digital Citizen) project

This ENC in-depth podcast is dedicated to “Promoting Equal Economic Opportunities and Resilience of Youth in the Kyrgyz Republic – Sanarip Insan (Digital Citizen)”, a project that is implemented by the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) in collaboration with the Public Association “Internet Society Kyrgyzstan Chapter” (ISOC) with the financial support of the EU Delegation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the project is to provide knowledge of the work of the digital and green economy to young people and women living in rural regions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In this in-depth discussion, Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, ENC Managing Director, and Talant Sultanov, co-founder of the Internet Society-Kyrgyz Chapter, talk about, among other topics, the main activities and the progress of the project, the power of digital literacy and the internet in Kyrgyzstan as well as the next steps in terms of training, funding, providing support and media skills.

The “Sanarip Insan” project has been ongoing since 2021 and it directly and practically promotes equal economic opportunity and youth resilience through digital access, media literacy training, support for programming in different languages and has been supporting over 100.000 rural and urban youths in the country with a special focus on young women and local entrepreneurs and civil society.

You can listen the in-depth discussion here:

ENC In-Depth Podcast Series: Security in Central Asia

The ENC In-Depth podcast series looks into security challenges in Central Asia from three different angles: the corruption-human security nexus, border disputes and enclaves and security challenges from Afghanistan. The three podcast discussions are part of the EU-Central Asia Monitoring (EUCAM) civil society writing and outreach online course, supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSF).

The discussions revolve around the role civil society organisation can play – if allowed – in addressing the security challenges while working together with other actors (local authorities and international donors and organisations).

The discussions were moderated by Andreas Marazis, ENC Head of Research for Eastern Europe & Central Asia, and feature the comments and insights of nine young and talented civil society representatives from Central Asia:

Civil Society Responses to Security Challenges in Central Asia from Afghanistan

• Dinara Abuova (Kazakhstan), Institute of World Economics & Politics
• Shynar Sarikenova (Kazakhstan), Rosa Luxemburg Foundation
• Murat Gandymov (Turkmenistan), University of Bremen

Border Disputes and Enclaves in Central Asia

• Zinatmo Mamadsalimova (Tajikistan), University of Central Asia
• Ikramidin Zhakypaliev (Kyrgyzstan), Global Shapers Community Bishkek Hub
• Dilshod Mirakilov (Uzbekistan), Doctors Without Borders

Corruption as a threat to human security: A case for civil society activity in promoting safety and women development

• Arina Efremova (Kyrgyzstan), Smart Zharan Association
• Kamila Yessenova (Kazakhstan), Central Asia Center for policy analysis
• Nozanin Homaidjonova (Tajikistan),  National University of Tajikistan/NGO Shams

 You can listen the in-depth interviews here:

Civil Society Responses to Security Challenges in Central Asia from Afghanistan

Border Disputes and Enclaves in Central Asia

Corruption as a threat to human security: A case for civil society activity in promoting safety and women development

ENC In-Depth Podcast: EU – Turkey Relations

Our 6th and last In-Depth Podcast of the Beyond Erasmus series is dedicated to EU- Turkey Relations, from a historical, cultural, political and economic point of view. The discussion is part of a series of podcasts included in the “Beyond Erasmus: Education, Exchanges and Employment opportunities for youth in the EU and Turkey” training programme which is supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Turkey. The programme involves topics such as promoting student mobility beyond the Erasmus+ framework, youth exchanges, internships, training courses, networking, access to funding for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and free market entrepreneurship and Civil Society Organisations (CSO).

The discussion between Çiğdem Nas, Secretary General of the Economic Development Foundation (İKV) and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye, ENC Managing Director revolved around EU-Turkey relations in light of the historical ties between the two parties, current relations concerning migration and the state of democracy in Turkey and how geographic interpretation of the term “Europe” expands deep into Anatolia depending on the field of interest we look at. It was also mentioned how cultural and religious mixture in Turkey can be seen as a historical asset for Europe instead of a detriment. Finally our speakers highlighted the unique and strong economic ties between the EU and Turkey and shared their thoughts on what could be an alternative integrational framework if the path to EU ascension is out of the picture.

The discussion was co-moderated by Gülçin Sinav, Program Director at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in Turkey and Andreas Marazis, ENC Head of Research for Eastern Europe & Central Asia.

You can listen and watch the in-depth interview here:

This ENC In-Depth podcast is dedicated to Social Inclusion through Media and CSOs in Central Asia and is the first of a series of three podcasts which are part of the EUCAM writing and outreach online course, supported by the Open Society Foundations and the European Endowment for Democracy.

The discussion revolves around the role of independent media and civil society in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and how increased cooperation among them can benefit vulnerable communities in the region.

The discussion was moderated by Andreas Marazis, ENC Head of Research for Eastern Europe & Central Asia, and features the comments and insights of three civil society representatives from Central Asia, Assel Kurmantayeva, Development Manager at Innovation for Change Central Asia Hub, Erkinbek Kamalov, journalist & Programme Coordinator at Content-Media and Naima Kimatshoeva, Resource Mobilization Analyst at Aga Khan Agency for Habitat.

You can listen the in-depth interview here:

https://soundcloud.com/enc/enc-in-depth-podcast-social-inclusion-through-media-and-csos-in-central-asia