State's Financial Aid for SMBs (Small and Medium-sized Businesses)
In Astana, Kazakhstan, efforts to support social entrepreneurship are a key part of broader initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and social development. While specific details on subsidies, guarantees, and grants for social entrepreneurship might not be immediately apparent, here is a general overview of the support measures available and the application process for related funds.
## Economic Support and Priority Sectors
The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) plays a significant role in supporting key sectors such as machine building, metallurgy, and energy by providing financing options, including guarantees under the "Damu" Fund. This mechanism helps companies access credit more easily, particularly those without sufficient collateral.
Kazakhstan prioritizes sectors like machine building, energy, logistics, and digitalization for support. While social entrepreneurship is not explicitly mentioned, integrating social goals into projects in these sectors can enhance their eligibility for support.
## Guarantee Funds: GF-1 and GF-2
While specific details about Guarantee Fund-1 (GF-1) and Guarantee Fund-2 (GF-2) are not provided in the search results, the "Damu" Fund offers guarantees that cover up to 30% of project costs, allowing companies to access long-term loans on favorable terms. To apply for such guarantees, projects must align with national priorities, such as import substitution and non-resource exports, and the project initiator must contribute at least 20% of the project's own funds.
For specific details on GF-1 and GF-2, it would be necessary to consult directly with relevant government agencies or financial institutions in Kazakhstan.
## Social Entrepreneurship: Subsidies, Grants, and Registry
In Astana, support for social entrepreneurship continues through the allocation of state grants. The competition for these grants is planned for October this year. Applications for state grants are accepted quarterly at the address: Beibitshilik Street, 11, Room 113.
To participate in the competition for state grants, entrepreneurs must register in the social entrepreneurs' registry. As of June 2024, 215 entrepreneurs have been included in the social entrepreneurs' registry, representing 19.7% of all social entrepreneurs in the republic.
Grants for social entrepreneurs are provided on a non-repayable basis, with the main conditions being self-financing, job creation through the "Eńbek" portal, and sufficient infrastructure. Subsidizing of the interest rate is provided to micro and small entrepreneurs, including social entrepreneurs, in priority sectors of the economy such as processing industry, education, tourism, healthcare.
## Preferential Lending Programs
Under the local program of preferential lending "Astana Business" for 2025, 3,000 million tenge is planned to be allocated. The "Damu" Fund also plans to launch a new program of preferential lending "Örleu" in the current year.
In conclusion, while there are support measures for entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan, specific details on social entrepreneurship subsidies, guarantees, and grants for Astana require further investigation into local government initiatives and programs. However, the "Damu" Fund offers guarantees that can help companies access credit more easily, and the competition for state grants for social entrepreneurs is planned for October this year.
In the context of Kazakhstan's support for various sectors, it's possible to explore financial avenues for personal-finance or business-related social entrepreneurship. The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) offers guarantees under the "Damu" Fund, which can help companies access credit more easily, even without sufficient collateral. Additionally, a competition for state grants for social entrepreneurs is planned for October this year, and applications can be submitted at Beibitshilik Street, 11, Room 113.
While specific details on subsidies, guarantees, and grants for social entrepreneurship might not be immediately apparent, the eligibility of projects integrating social goals into projects in priority sectors like machine building, energy, logistics, and digitalization could potentially enhance their chances for support. Furthermore, entrepreneurs must register in the social entrepreneurs' registry to participate in the competition for state grants.
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