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Applications will close on 31 August 23:00

SwapUp
Fully-Funded
Astana Program

11–13 September

Win the chance to go on a fully-funded leadership program to Astana, Kazakhstan. We will unite 15 leaders from Central Asian Region.

Applications close in
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31 August 2026, 23:00 GMT+5
Apply Now Program Details
Leadership Skills
🪧 We teach Leadership Skills
Projects
🪧 We upscale your small Projects
Central Asian Community
🪧 We are uniting Central Asian Community
About Astana Program

Win your Spot to
Astana Program

SwapUp Astana is a 3-day fully-funded leadership program in Astana, Kazakhstan that unites 15 Central Asian leaders for trainings on tech innovation, strategic leadership and initiative building.

Who can apply

  • 15-35 years of age
  • Citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan
  • Students, young workers, project owners, startups, passionate youth with social activities
  • Passionate to create change in your community
  • Has social activities like project, club, community, academic activity, volunteering experience
  • Any fields can apply

What SwapUp
Gives Youth

🏆
First

We upscale leadership skills

🚀
Second

We teach tech innovation and strategic leadership

💡
Third

We improve your leadership projects

Pricing Plans

Win Your Place
In SwapUp Astana

15 seats for Central Asian leaders. Choose one category only — you cannot apply to both.

Applications close 31 August, 23:00 GMT+5

Funded Scholarships

$6.99
Application fee
10 seats available
  • Fully & Partially funded scholarships
  • Round-trip airfare support
  • Full-stay accommodation & meals
  • Invitation Letter
  • Official Acceptance Letter
  • Leadership Trainings & Tech-Social Capstone
  • Graduation Certificate
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • SwapUp Merchandise
  • Alumni Opportunity
Apply Now

Self-Funded Seats

$199
Participation fee
5 seats available
  • Guaranteed seat after the interview
  • Full-stay accommodation & meals
  • Invitation Letter
  • Official Acceptance Letter
  • Leadership Trainings & Tech-Social Capstone
  • Graduation Certificate
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • SwapUp Merchandise
  • Alumni Opportunity
  • Cultural Tour in Astana
Note

Secure your place in SwapUp Astana with limited competition. 5 seats available.

Apply Now
How to Apply

Your path to Astana

Simple step-by-step guide to apply for the SwapUp Astana Leadership Program

1

Application Structure

The online form has 5 parts: Personal Information, Leadership Activity, Personal Essays, Declaration, Submission

Ensure each part is clear and complete before submission.

Open Application Form
2

Fill Out & Agree

Fill out every part of the application and accept the terms in the Declaration part.

Make sure to give authentic information because we will background-check.

3

Submit & Pay Fee

Submit the form, then contact our administrator on Telegram and confirm the non-refundable application fee of $6.99

The link to our administrator appears right after you submit the form. The fee covers the review and background check of your application — it is not a participation fee.

Fill the Application
4

Interview & Results

The announcement of the 50 semi-finalists is on 1 September 12:00 GMT+5. Our team will then contact them to schedule the interview.

Self-funded applicants pass the same interview and confirm their seat afterwards.

Program Timeline

SwapUp Astana
Leadership Program

11–13 September 2026
01
Day 1 - 11 September

Leadership & Tech
Trainings

This day will be academically dense with trainings to teach you how to start your leadership initiative.

  • StartUp & Tech Innovation Training
  • NGO Training
  • Club Organization Training
Leadership and Tech Trainings
02
Day 2 - 12 September

Social Capstone
Hackathon

This day will be filled with exercises to upscale your leadership initiative.

  • Team-Work Exercises
  • Leadership Exercises
  • Social Capstone Hackathon
Social Capstone Hackathon
03
Day 3 - 13 September

Graduation
and Tour

This day you will finalize your journey and explore the city of Astana.

  • Official Certification Ceremony
  • Project Video Shootings
  • Astana City Tour
Graduation and Tour
Upcoming Program

SwapUp Astana Program

SwapUp Leadership Program in Astana will take place on 11–13 September

Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan

We will unite 15 Central Asian leaders in the beautiful city of Astana, Kazakhstan

Program Details

11–13 September 2026
Astana, Kazakhstan
15 Participants
Leadership Trainings & Tech-Social Capstone
Our Mission

Our goal is to unite
Central Asian Youth with

Building a sustainable ecosystem for the next generation of leaders.

Goal 1

Leadership Programs

We create fully-funded leadership programs across CIS countries with a specific focus on Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.

Target:

Upscale youth initiatives across CIS and create a powerful network across Central Asia.

Goal 2

SDG Awareness

We travel across whole regions within CIS to run massive awareness events focused on SDG issues that youth faces daily.

Target:

To empower youth with the tools and knowledge needed for meaningful community change.

Goal 3

Leadership Clubs

Our future vision is to collaborate with student unions to create SwapUp Leadership Clubs where youth can announce projects and invite others to join.

Target:

Create a robust network between student unions for project exchange and participation.

If you want to help us and host events or host a club, please contact us through our email

What is SwapUp?

SwapUp was founded in 2023 as a youth initiative to run book exchange and SDG Events. We have over 12 events and 1,480 participants. From 2025 we moved to fully-funded Leadership Programs and our goal is to unite Central Asia with programs.

1.4k+Impacted
12+Events Run
About The Project

SwapUp Unites
Central Asia for Change

Our History
2023
Book Exchange

Book Exchange

SwapUp started in 2023 as a book-exchange event. Our concept was "One Book- One Saved Tree". We conducted it in 5 cities and exchanged over 586 used books.

2024
SDG Awareness

SDG Awareness

SwapUp added in 2024 SDG Awareness Events where we shared our insights on fighting global problems. Average of 150+ people event in over 6 cities.

2025
Leadership Programs

Leadership Programs

SwapUp moved in 2025 to Leadership Platform where we teach 5-fully funded leaders how to launch their youth initiatives. 2 programs run until 2026.

Roadmap

SwapUp
Future Vision

Pioneering the future of Central Asian youth connection.

Central Asia
Central Asia Vision
Year 2027

Target 1: Leadership Clubs

Create Leadership Clubs in collaboration with student unions of Central Asian Top Universities where students exchange their projects and gain audience for them.

Year 2028

Target 2: SwapUp Union App

Connect Leadership Clubs within all student unions with one single app, where members can announce their projects/events/initiatives and join those initiatives with all travel expenses covered by us.

If you want to support us in our initiatives, please contact us through our email

FAQ

Common Questions

Young passionate people who are aged 15-35 years old. You must be a citizen of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Azerbaijan. School/lyceum/university students, social workers and professionals workers are welcome to apply.

Yes. In total the program has 15 seats for SwapUp Astana.

10 seats go to Funded Scholarships (fully-funded and partially-funded) and 5 seats are Self-Funded.

You can apply to one category only — choose the one that works best for you.

Fully-funded package includes full coverage of your participation in our program, namely we will provide:

  • Full rounded airfare trip
  • Hotel Booking
  • Meals at the event
  • Program Participation fee
  • Merchandise
  • Cultural Tour
  • Official Certification
  • Alumni Status after graduation

We have 15 seats in total, split into 2 categories you can apply to.

1) Apply for Funded Scholarships ($6.99 application fee, 10 seats) if you are sure about your passion and your vision to create change in your community. Out of this category we award both fully-funded and partially-funded seats.

2) Apply for Self-Funded Seats ($199 participation fee, 5 seats) if you want a guaranteed place with limited competition and can cover your own travel and participation costs.

No, it is not refunded under any conditions. Under Terms and Conditions you sign your signature understanding that $6.99 application fee goes to your application review and background check of your application. The application fee is not connected with participation status, it is an administrative fee to check and review your application.

Under the application form, you consent that you agree with the terms and willing to proceed with your application. If you disagree with the terms and conditions, we suggest to withdraw your application.

We need people with a passion to create change. It doesn’t matter how you are creating change - you may have a project, club, community, academic research, social media page, website, tech app, startup.

We will select people who have clear plan, long-term community change and passion to change the world with a certain theme. Any theme and any field is welcomed to apply as long as it is connected with community change.

No, we don’t need any language certifications but you must know English to participate in the program. All program parts will be conducted in English.

1 September 12:00 GMT+5 - We will announce the results and invite 50 semi-finalists to interview.

1 September 12:00 GMT+5 - We will announce results for partially funded seats. Waitlist seats can be possible if a previously selected candidate rejects their seat.

20 August 11:00 GMT+5 - Interview times will be announced for self-funded seats. If you get accepted after the interview, you can proceed with the program participation fee.