Astana-Bereke NGO has worked in Nur-Sultan for two years bringing together masters of traditional applied arts.

"We founded Astana-Bereke at the end of 2018, gathered the masters and started working. Today, 150 craftsmen all over the country work with us. The mayor's office supported us by providing 20 pavilions on the Central Square. In addition, we received two workshops where our specialists work. We launched two community clubs at those workshops to teach children. Our goal is to preserve the craft heritage from our ancestors," said Rauza Balmagambetova, chair of the association . 

The organization holds free handcraft clubs for almost five hundred students of the capital's secondary schools. The courses are also free of charge for mothers with many children, children with special needs, and people from low-income families. They learn to work with fabric, wood and jewelry. 
"People from socially vulnerable groups eagerly visit our workshops and learn to make jewelry, woodworks and crochets. We teach them and support any way we can. I love working with children and people in general passing on my knowledge and experience," said Serzhan Bashirov, a jewelry teacher.

In 2018-2019, ten individuals with disabilities were trained and employed under the Sheber-Shakirt (Master-Apprentice) program.

Another non-governmental foundation that assists in mastering new skills is Craftsmanship Path. The foundation beneficiaries learn the art of knitting. 

"We teach the art of knitting thus providing our graduates with an occupation that brings profit. For them, knitting becomes both a source of income and a way to relieve stress. We also work with people with disabilities, vulnerable population, and mothers of children with special needs," said Rakhima Mukusheva, chair of the foundation .

The NGO opened in December 2019 and has trained 100 people in knitting skills since. 

Today, there are 2,996 registered non-governmental organizations in Nur-Sultan.