Beyond Familiar Metrics: How Kazakhstan's Volunteer Movement is Reshaping Our Understanding of Social Innovation

Abstract

ue blend of traditional communal assistance practices, such as 'asar,' with contemporary organizational models. It argues that this hybrid approach fosters a distinct form of civic engagement deeply rooted in local cultural values. The study critically assesses the applicability of conventional volunteer evaluation metrics predominantly developed in the Global North, revealing their limitations in capturing the nuanced impacts and motivations within a Central Asian context. Furthermore, it explores the profound implications of this culturally adapted volunteerism for achieving sustainable development goals, advocating for a more context-sensitive understanding and support of grassroots initiatives. This research underscores the need for localized frameworks that acknowledge and leverage indigenous practices for effective social change.

; Asar; Sustainable Development; Global North Metrics