69ɫ

American University of Central Asia - 69ɫ - Student Civic Engagement

Student Civic Engagement

Uniting the youth of Kyrgyzstan for climate action

In May 2021, Samar Kanatov (ECO-120), Sviatoslav Lykhin (ES-119), and Mira Zhakshylykova (LAS-EMSD/ICP-117) became a part of the organizing team of the first UN Local Conference of Youth in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia.

An LCOY is an event under the umbrella of YOUNGO, the official youth constituency at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its aims are to be a space to boost youth climate action locally and create an input into the international conferences. It represents a national version of the International Conference of Youth (COY), which takes place immediately before the Conference of Parties (COP), the annual UN-Climate Conference.

At LCOYs, young people connect to each other, teach, learn, and organize themselves to make their voices heard to our state leaders. LCOYs form a network in which youth can connect across borders and explore ways to collaborate on a regional and global level.

The organizers of LCOY Kyrgyzstan is a group of young eco-activists from different regions of Kyrgyzstan, representing various universities and youth organizations.

One of the main outcomes of LCOY series in Kyrgyzstan will be development by the youth of seven country oblasts of a climate change communiqué, which will further be forwarded to UN climate change conference of youth – COY16 and be consolidated into the global youth climate action statement. COY16 will be held in 2021 in Glasgow, UK. Later, the global youth statement (COY16) will be forwarded to COP26.

Two of three youth conferences that make up LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2021 umbrella event took place on 12th of June in Osh city, as well as the Karakol event was held on 16th of June. In total, as a result of two conferences in these two cities, 200 youth representatives from 4 country oblasts of Kyrgyzstan (Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken, Issyk-Kul) took active part in the event.

The third event was planned to take place at the end of June, but due to the worsening COVID-19 situation in Kyrgyzstan, it has been postponed to mid-August. It is expected that 150+ young people, honorable guests, representatives of relevant state bodies, civil society organizations, and the private sector will take part.

«Policy action for climate security in Central Asia» project funded by the UK Government, and implemented by UNDP in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

About project leaders:

  • Samar Kanatov is a sophomore student from the Economics department at the American University of Central Asia


  • Sviatoslav Lykhin is a junior student from the European Studies department at the American University of Central Asia

  • Mira Zhakshylykova is 69ɫ’s graduate (2021) from the Liberal Arts and Sciences and International Comparative Politics departments

Additional information about LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2021:

What is the goal: the mission of LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2021 is to empower the youth of Kyrgyzstan to become local, regional, and global climate activists through capacity building, network building, and sharing ideas and knowledge for better climate solutions and action.

A network of youth leaders in Kyrgyzstan who become part of the international youth climate movement will be created. LCOY Kyrgyzstan 2021 will allow youth to understand and learn more about the relationship between domestic and global climate issues, and the importance of united local, national and global efforts.

What are the main expected results:

- About 500+ representatives from youth in Kyrgyzstan learn about climate change, global negotiation processes (UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, COP 26), climate security, and the opportunities that climate action brings for supporting regional cooperation, social and economic prosperity, and sustainable development. These themes are in line with the global focus of LCOY. Finally, opportunities for youth to get involved in any part of the local and global climate movement - offline. Greater number via our posts in social media and online Zoom/Youtube/Facebook translations - online.

- A youth climate change communique from Kyrgyzstan is to be developed and later sent to COY16 (global youth climate change conference or global COY), where a global youth statement on climate is to be prepared and delivered to COP26. COY16 will take place the week before COP 26 and also in Glasgow.

Related links:

LCOY KG website:

LCOY KG IG account:

LCOY KG videos:



LEAP (Leadership and Educative Avail Project)

In November 11-13th, 2020, and June 10-11th, 2021, Nilufar Homidova (ICP-119) organized a project that aimed at assisting the youth of Tajikistan to enter the American University of Central Asia and complete each step of admissions and financial aid processes. Moreover, this project sought to improve students' leadership, communication, and teambuilding skills through informative and consulting sessions, entertaining workshops about boosting interpersonal skills, mentorship, interactive works, and team building activities. LEAP attracted all possible opportunities to contribute to the progress of the 69ɫ and the Tajik communities. More than 45 high schools (9-11th grades) and undergraduate students (i.e., freshmen and sophomores) from different regions of Tajikistan, such as Khujand, Isfara, Kayrakum, Panjikent, and Kanibadam, took part.

As a result, the participants got acquainted with all steps of entering 69ɫ and getting financial support, their interpersonal skills of youth such as commination, leadership, team building, and time management were improved, and they were inspired and motivated to work harder on their goals and successfully enter the university after hearing success stories of invited guests, who were high achieving students of 69ɫ. Moreover, more than 15 students applied for 69ɫ, and 2 of them successfully got accepted and received a 100% scholarship.

As for cooperation, in 8 months LEAP built a partnership with TUT Co-working Space Khujand, American Space Isfara, who provided the venue and technical facilities, and media partners Daily Opportunity, Youth Opportunities Tajikistan, Technovation, who promoted the project’s events.

About project leader: Nilufar Homidova is a junior student from the International Comparative Politics department at the American University of Central Asia

LEAP (Leadership and Educative Avail Project) - ISFARA

LEAP (Leadership and Educative Avail Project) - KHUJAND

American University of Central Asia
7/6 Aaly Tokombaev Street
Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic 720060

Tel.: +996 (312) 915000 + Еxt.
Fax: +996 (312) 915 028