In Kazakhstan, Chevron partners with local and national governments, communities, nongovernmental organizations, and other groups to deliver programs in three areas:
- Basic human needs
- Education and career training
- Support for local small and medium-size businesses
Our community engagement priorities are shared by our joint ventures. For example, from 1993 to 2008 Tengizchevroil (TCO) gave more than $450 million for social improvement investments for the community and employees.
In 1993, TCO started the five-year, $50 million Atyrau Bonus Fund that sponsored social infrastructure projects such as health clinics, a local bakery, a boiler plant and new homes for victims of flooding. TCO launched the Egilik (Kazakh for "benefit") program in 1999. By the end of 2009, Egilik will have provided more than $95 million to meet community health, education and social infrastructure needs. Aid was provided for hospitals, university buildings, schools, gasification and power lines, upgrading of water supply systems, resurfacing of roads, and beautification of buildings within the Atyrau and Zhylyoi districts, where the Tengiz Field is located.
TCO also has provided financial assistance to local entrepreneurs in agriculture, catering, medical and community services, and more. Since 1997, TCO has given more than $7.2 million to these small-business development programs.
TCO's educational sponsorships have provided schools in Atyrau and the Zhylyoi region with computer classes, supported an applied economics seminar at Atyrau University, and funded school presentations on oil and gas and summer camp presentations on protecting the environment.
Our affiliate Karachaganak Petroleum Operating also is committed to helping the community. Karachaganak invests $10 million annually in social infrastructure projects in the West Kazakhstan oblast. To date, the affiliate's social investments have topped $137 million. During the 40-year life of the final production-sharing agreement, this figure will exceed $500 million.
For four years, Chevron has run a program that has helped provide professional skills to more than 350 children in orphanages and boarding schools. The project is supported by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education and Science and may expand to secondary schools.
The Chevron Technical Scholarship Program at the Kazakh National Technical University is a part of our global University Partnership Program, which is working with 18 universities in 10 countries.
In 2008, Chevron started the Energy Saving Contest for schoolchildren, students and scientists. Chevron also supported development of a new college course that examines sustainable development and energy efficiency. The class is offered at Kazakh National Technical University in partnership with the Global Environmental Facility. Our efforts were recognized in 2008 by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which awarded Chevron the Gold Medal of a Patron of Education.
In 2006, Chevron, the Eurasia Foundation, and the Ministry of Culture and Information started a business development program for artisans. The program helps artisans improve their skills and expand their access to new markets. An artisans' network also was created. In October 2008, Chevron earned national recognition for the program as recipient of the Altyn Zhurek (Golden Heart) Award.
Updated: March 2009