The article examines the specifics of cooperation between Russia and the Central Asian countries through civil society institutions (CSIs), with an emphasis on the status, systemic challenges, and prospects for the development of bilateral ties. Interaction in this area remains peripheral and largely fragmented within the bilateral agenda and is significantly less developed than political and economic dialogue with the target countries. For Kazakhstan, the key constraints are the state‑centric nature of the third‑sector model and the insufficient flexibility of Russian public diplomacy institutions, which reduces the potential for involving young people in CSI projects. In Kyrgyzstan, the situation is complicated by the high dependence of local NGOs on foreign donors and a competitive environment, in which the United States, the European Union, and Turkey are particularly active through educational projects. In Tajikistan, the development of the civil sector is limited by strict state control, but education is becoming an important resource of Russian “soft power,” primarily through projects of Rossotrudnichestvo. In Uzbekistan, cooperation is constrained by a small number of Russian NGOs and strict institutional barriers in this sector on the part of the state. At the same time, the Russian presence retains stable and strong elements. Among them are historical and cultural proximity, demand for the Russian language and education, the presence of branches of Russian universities in the region, the activities of Rossotrudnichestvo, and the network of Russian Houses. Scientific and expert communication, involving a wide range of Russian and Central Asian organizations, remains an important channel.
civil society; third sector; Russia; Central Asia; non‑governmental organizations; education; expert dialogue.