Sewing Sustainability: How EcoSan is Changing Lives in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, a unique initiative is proving that environmental sustainability and social inclusion can go hand in hand. EcoSan, led by Saniya Aligapparovna and supported by the Qolqanat Foundation, is empowering people with disabilities and vulnerable groups through the production of eco-friendly textile products-while helping reduce waste and promote sustainable consumption.

At the heart of EcoSan is a sewing workshop that produces reusable pads and diapers using sustainable materials and processes. These products not only offer an alternative to single-use items, but also support a growing green economy-several thousand items have already been sold and are in daily use.

Education and accessibility are central to EcoSan’s model. The team has developed five inclusive online courses, focused on green technologies like felt-making, sewing, and waste sorting. Each course is adapted with sign language interpretation, ensuring accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing learners. The goal is to foster “green” skills that can be turned into employment and entrepreneurship.

That goal is already being realised: 30% of EcoSan’s graduates have found employment in eco-oriented companies or launched their own small businesses producing sustainable goods. The project’s ripple effect reaches far beyond the workshop—it's creating role models, reducing dependence on disposable products, and redefining what inclusive environmental action can look like.

By combining circular production, inclusive training, and community engagement, EcoSan is offering a practical and replicable model for sustainable development. It proves that with the right tools, education, and support, environmental innovation can be both inclusive and impactful.

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