Dinara Nurusheva is a research and development professional based in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with extensive experience in policy analysis, project development, and civil society strengthening across Central Asia. She currently serves as the Research and Development Manager at the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA), where she has been instrumental in securing over $10 million in funding for social projects targeting economic inequality and community development since 2017.
In 2022, Dinara led the inception phase of the $1 million STEAM Center project under EFCA's Atyrau Youth Development Initiative, conducting extensive needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to promote science and technology education in the region. Her leadership and policy insight also shaped strategic collaborations with major donors such as Chevron, the European Union, and the U.S. Embassy.
Previously, Dinara held a visiting fellowship at George Washington University’s Central Asia Program, where she published a seminal policy paper title Improving Governance in Kazakhstan’s Mining Towns, focusing on regional development issues in Tekeli. She also co-founded two initiatives: Bilig Brains Foundation and PaperLab Research Network, through which she facilitated policy dialogue, academic training, and civic engagement on topics ranging from soft power to inclusive education.
She is the co-author of several practical guides including Fundraising: How to Find Money and Support for Your Social Project (2022) and Monitoring and Evaluation Guide for Social Projects (2021), both published in Kazakh and Russian by EFCA. Beyond her formal roles, she is active in volunteer translation, civil society event organization, and supporting grassroots NGOs with proposal development. Dinara continues to be a driving force in enhancing the impact and sustainability of social initiatives across Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region.
Dinara holds an MA in Global Political Economy from City, University of London and a BA in International Relations from Abylai Khan University in Almaty.
Seeing individuals come together across differences to challenge systems and create inclusive, lasting change gives me hope. Even small wins—like a policy shift or a student finding their voice—remind me that progress is possible when we stand together with purpose and persistence.Dinara Nurusheva