Championing Environmental Entrepreneurship in Southern Kazakhstan

Vladislav Golyarko, a successful social entrepreneur and ecological activist, grew up in Kazakhstan’s Turkestan region during the challenging 1990s. “It was a difficult time due to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition that followed. Frequent power outages, lack of gas, scarce job opportunities, and factory closures led to widespread food shortages,” he recalls. Raised by his mother, a librarian, after his father left, Vladislav found solace in books. He developed a deep love for reading, especially the works of science fiction writer Harry Harrison and nature writer Vitaly Bianki. These stories, he notes, “profoundly influenced me, fostering a love for nature and a belief that, like in science fiction, there are no limits—anything is possible with determination.”

During these challenging times, when food and necessities were scarce, Vladislav’s mother placed him in an orphanage, believing it was the best way to ensure he received the care and resources he needed. After spending several years there, Vladislav eventually returned home, reuniting with his mother and continuing his education. However, as he grew older and completed his schooling, Vladislav felt drawn back to the world of children’s homes, this time from a different perspective. He began volunteering with an NGO dedicated to supporting the children living in these institutions. Reflecting on this period, he explains that his decision was driven by a mix of curiosity and a deep connection to his past: “I agreed to work with the NGO out of curiosity, wanting to see how things had changed and partly out of nostalgia for my time there.”

Through this volunteer work, Vladislav reconnected with the environment that had shaped much of his early life. He saw firsthand how these institutions had evolved and how the children were being cared for. This experience not only allowed him to give back but also helped him process and understand his own journey, reinforcing his commitment to social justice.

For Vladislav, ecological activism was the path forward. “In our district, Belye Vody, sanitation was always a problem. People would throw garbage everywhere. We had Soviet-era concrete trash bins, and although they’re still around, things have improved somewhat. I realized I wanted to make a real impact,” Vladislav recalls.

After five years of dedicated start-up work, Vladislav launched Generation, an organization focused on extracting reusable materials from recycled waste and turning a profit in Aksukent, a town outside Shymkent. This led to the creation of Eco Cashback, a program wherein Aksukent residents earn money by recycling and sorting their household waste. Initially met with skepticism, the project gained traction as villagers began to see the financial benefits.

Seeking to further develop the initiative, Vladislav connected with Eurasia Foundation’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program. In 2019, he won his first grant, dedicated to institutional development. With these funds, Vladislav upgraded his office equipment and streamlined operations. This grant marked a turning point: Vladislav now had the resources he needed to enhance workflows and operational efficiency.

Under the guidance of SICA experts, Vladislav secured a Social Idea Accelerator Grant, allowing him to further scale up operations with new equipment and optimized processes. He began work on digitalizing Eco Cashback, laying the groundwork for a mobile application that would later become a key component of the initiative. This grant also helped him refine the focus of his NGO, envisioning it as a potential social enterprise.

As Eco Cashback grew, Vladislav secured a third grant from SICA in 2022, enabling the project to expand its target demographic. Initially focused on socially vulnerable, low-income individuals in search of extra earnings, Eco Cashback began to attract people with moderate incomes, local entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals.

Eco Cashback’s impact is evident economically, socially, and environmentally. Participants save money on essential resources while adopting more responsible behaviors, particularly in waste management.

One Eco Cashback initiative is a barter shop where people experiencing food insecurity can exchange recyclable materials for food.  At the barter shop, residents can also exchange food waste for compost, benefiting local agriculture and creating a circular economy.

To improve village cleanliness and increase waste collection, the project places recycling boxes throughout Aksukent and hosts regular community cleanup events. In doing so, the local landfill has shrunk. The community is now engaged in environmental activities and cultivating a culture of recycling and sustainability.

Vladislav new focus is expanding Eco Cashback’s reach. He recently participated in a business development program in the United States and transitioned his approach from grant-seeking to social entrepreneurship. This shift has marked a new phase for Vladislav, as he looks to expand the project’s influence beyond Aksukent to the broader Turkestan region.

As the Eco Cashback team transitions from a public association to a social enterprise, their focus has shifted toward commercialization.  “As a leader, I aspire to expand beyond our borders and establish branches in neighboring Central Asian countries because I am passionate about this business,” says Vladislav.

Most recently, Eco Cashback launched a mobile app, available on both the Apple Store and Google Play. Through this app, users can conveniently sell their recyclables from home, reshaping societal perceptions of waste and promoting environmental stewardship. The app is propelling Eco Cashback toward commercial success.

The app is emblematic of Vladislav’s current focus on digitalization and green budgeting, or the use of budgetary policymaking to help achieve climate and environmental goals. “Eighty percent of our earnings go directly to residents; we retain only 20% for our company. Residents decide [themselves] how to allocate these funds, empowering them to address local challenges autonomously. This concept of the green budget is something I explored in America, where each state independently manages economic activities. We aim to promote greater awareness of green budgeting among our people,” concludes Vladislav.

To read more about Vladislav, and hear his story in his own words, click here.