Deputies of city and district maslikhats of the Almaty Region have received training in public communication tools, budget oversight, and effective problem-solving in the housing and utilities sector. These skills are becoming increasingly important for local representative bodies amid constitutional reforms and the transfer of real powers to the level of local self-government.
Elected representatives of various levels took part in the seminar dedicated to these issues. The main objective was to improve their ability to effectively work with citizens’ appeals, requests, and concerns.
“Almaty Region, as a dynamically developing area with a high level of urbanization and migration attractiveness, faces specific management challenges. The city of Konaev, as the new administrative center, is currently shaping modern approaches to regional governance and interaction with the population. Issues related to the development of engineering and social infrastructure, as well as ensuring the quality of basic services, are of particular importance. Maslikhats serve as platforms for decision-making at the local level and at the same time act as a key link in ensuring accountability, transparency, and genuine dialogue with citizens,” said Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, opening the meeting.
The first day of the training focused on communication, ethics, and legislative awareness. Participants were taught how to properly conduct public receptions, organize public hearings, and establish effective feedback channels. A separate session was dedicated to digital tools — websites, Telegram channels, and social networks — which are essential for ensuring transparency today. Deputies were also introduced to the use of artificial intelligence in this area. Following the recent adoption of relevant legislation in the country, elected representatives need to understand the opportunities and risks associated with this technology. The training examined where AI can support work with citizens’ appeals and where it may create ethical challenges.
After the coffee break, participants moved on to more sensitive topics: conflicts of interest, corruption risks, and ethical standards. Crisis simulations were conducted, placing deputies in situations requiring quick responses to incidents, communication with the media, and effective public engagement. The module concluded with an interactive “effectiveness checklist.”
The second half of the day focused on legislation. Experts reviewed the regulatory framework of local self-government and the Administrative Procedural and Process-Related Code, which regulates petitions and citizens’ appeals. Deputies were then divided into groups and presented with practical cases involving public complaints, local issues, and infrastructure requests. Their task was to discuss the situations and develop concrete proposals, which were later presented by each group.
The participants also studied the budget process, including how the regional budget is formed, approved, and monitored. The financing of deputy initiatives was discussed as well. During a simulated maslikhat session, the most pressing and challenging issues were analyzed.
For a region where water supply, heating, roads, and waste collection remain among the most critical concerns, such training programs are essential. The next step depends on the deputies themselves — their readiness to apply new tools, participate in public hearings based on budget analysis, and defend the interests of their constituents through concrete decisions.
