EuropeAid

European Union Funding

to Civil Society in EUROPEAN 2012 COMMISSION Geographic Distribution of project activities funded by the European Union through the 2010 EIDHR and NSA Instruments (valid 2012-2014) Welcome

Salam, It is my great pleasure to present the 17 new EU- supported civil society projects starting in Azerbaijan in 2012. They cover a wide range of areas, from creating opportunities for disabled children or the blind, to providing independent media coverage, supporting the activities of civil rights campaigners, or raising awareness on the need to protect the environment. The combined EU contribution to these projects is €2.6 million.

This is in addition to the over €4.7 million that the EU has already provided in Azerbaijan since 2007. through consultations on a regular basis at the This makes the EU the largest foreign donor to level of the EU Delegation in , but also at the civil society in Azerbaijan, something that we are regional level, at venues such as the Civil Society proud of. Forum of the Eastern Partnership.

Most immediately, this funding is about providing Having said this, any financial support comes with assistance. An active and engaged civil society is a responsibility to ensure that EU funds are well the most effective vector to address and resolve spent, in full transparency and accountability. key issues in innovative, practical and effective Interventions must have the widest possible ways. impact in areas relevant to the Azerbaijani population. In a longer term perspective, however, our funding is about partnership. True, effective This is a goal we have worked hard to achieve with systemic change is only achieved via close these 17 new projects, and I invite you to look cooperation between government and a through this publication to not only find out more legitimate, independent and vivid civil society, about the projects we are financing, but also how which raises key issues, proposes ideas and we selected them, what we are trying to achieve, actively monitors and reports on progress. The and how you can work with us. long term vision of EU support to civil society is to In 2012 we are planning to continue our support, promoting civil society as exactly such a partner. and to expand it even further with the launch of The belief of this partnership is clearly reflected in new calls for proposals and new initiatives that EU relations with the Government of Azerbaijan, will benefit even more of the Azerbaijani where cooperation with civil society forms a basis population. of all the cooperation frameworks that the Government of Azerbaijan has committed to, We look forward to working with you on these from the Partnership and Cooperation current and on future efforts. Agreement signed in 1999 to the Eastern Partnership, in 2009. Roland Kobia EU Ambassador to the Of course, EU cooperation with Azerbaijani civil Republic of Azerbaijan society goes beyond just providing funding. Civil Society is an invaluable partner for us, either

3 The EU and Civil Society

Information sessions for the 2010 EIDHR and NSA Calls for Proposals in Lenkoran, November 2010

Understanding EU Funding for Civil Society

How does the EU support civil society actions in Azerbaijan?

The EU provides grant funding for project page 6) and the Non-State Actors in Development proposals which will be implemented by local and Instrument (see page 17). In addition, Azerbaijan European non-state actors. is often eligible for Global Thematic Instruments The scope of EU funding is defined by EU financial (see page 26). instruments, which have a thematic or geographic All the instruments use Calls for Proposals as a focus, with annual themes. The two main transparent and competitive selection procedure instruments in Azerbaijan are the European to ensure that the best projects are selected for Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (see funding.

How does the EU ensure that its funding is relevant and effective?

Themes for EU Calls for Proposals are consulted During selection, priority is given to proposals with local civil society and other relevant with activities in the regions to ensure geographic stakeholders to ensure they respond to local coverage in the country. needs. All projects must include training or support EU Calls for Proposals require that either the activities for other civil society organisations, to applicant or partner is a local organisation to ensure awider impact . ensure that local organisations are involved in all All projects must also aim to influence legislation EU funded projects. and develop cooperation with the Government to havea long term effect . 4 The EU and Civil Society

How does a EU Call for Proposals Work?

1 Preparation ? What is PADOR? The EU developsGuidelines , which set out themes, PADOR is an online EU database to which available funding, eligibility criteria and the selection all civil society applicants must register to procedure. Guidelines are consulted with Civil be eligible for EU funding. Society to ensure they are relevant, and are www.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/ published online (EU Delegation website, EuropeAid onlineservices/pador website). If the Call is only relevant to Azerbaijan then it is advertised locally and information sessions ? How are projects rated? are organised in Baku and the regions. Each concept note or full application is rated by two separate evaluators (one 2 Evaluation external from the EU) according to Applicants have around 30 days to submit a four page scoring grids outlined in theGuidelines of concept note of their proposed project. These the call. concept notes are evaluated, and the best applicants An evaluation committee reviews the are invited to submitfull proposals , for which they two scores, and if they are not consistent have 30 days to prepare (in some cases applicants with each other then a third evaluator must submit the concept note and full proposals may be asked to make an additional together). Full proposals are assessed again, and the grading of the concept note/full best projects selected for funding. proposal. Concept Notes and Full Proposals are 3 Contracting ranked according to an average of the Final eligibility checks are undertaken to confirm scores of the evaluators. that the applicant can receive funding from the EU. If all is correct,contracts are signed with the selected ? Where can I find out more? applicants. After all contracts are signed, the results For information on all ongoing Calls for of the call are made public. Project activities start Proposals and details on EU procedures after contract signature. please visit the EuropeAid website at: www.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work

A Two Way Street Azerbaijani Civil Society Helping the EU Civil Society Organisations are not only Civil society also plays a key role in the Eastern implementing partners of EU funds, but also Partnership, where a Civil Society Forum enjoy an increasing responsibility in the comprised of organisations from all six Eastern programming and monitoring of EU assistance Partnership countries gives input on the and policy making. implementation of the partnership. Azerbaijan is For example, during its political dialogue with the represented by 26 local organisations, which act Government of Azerbaijan in areas such as on a rotating basis. migration, trade, economic development or You can find out more about the role of civil human rights, the EU regularly consults with local society and the Civil Society Forum at: civil society. In addition, all EU visiting high level www.eeas.europa.eu/eastern/civil_society officials meet with civil society to gain a balanced perspective on events in Azerbaijan. 5 Instruments

Media monitoring activities as part of a 2009 EIDHR project implemented by the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety. For 22 months specially trained experts monitored 8 TV channels and reported weekly on the amount of time allocated to various political subjects in Azerbaijan. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)

About the Instrument

One of the two main EU instruments for civil framework of the Communities policy on societyinAzerbaijanistheEuropean development cooperation, and economic, Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights financial and technical cooperation with third (EIDHR.) Established in 2007 on the request of countries, and consistent with the EU’s the European Parliament, its main purpose is foreign policy as a whole” to: The EIDHR instrument is applied in all “contribute to the development and countries of the world outside the EU and the consolidation of democracy and the rule of most industrialised countries. law, and respect for all human rights and The average global annual budget for the fundamental freedoms, within the EIDHR Instrument is €160 million.

6 17 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

EIDHR in Azerbaijan 2007-2010

Since 2007 three in-country calls for proposals have been held in Azerbaijan with the EIDHR instrument, with over €2.6 million allocated to 18 projects. These projects worked in areas such as: election monitoring; support to free media; assistance to

€1.2m

€0.7m

€0.7m

No call vulnerable groups such as internally displaced launched persons, disable children and victims of 2007 2008 2009 2010 trafficking in human beings; as well as empowerment of women in the regions. Year of EIDHR Call for Proposal

EIDHR 2010 Call for Proposals

The most recent Call for Proposals was launched in November 2010. To be eligible for funding, Overview of 2010 EIDHR projects proposals needed to act on one or more Selected Projects of the following themes:

1. Supporting civil society efforts to improve national legislation and its implementation 9 /79 selected in the field of democracy and human rights

2. Supporting human rights defenders involved 78% submitted by in the promotion of civil, political, social, local organisations economic and cultural rights

3. Supporting civil society efforts to promote implemented by environmental awareness and rights to clean 100% or with local environment organisations Out of 79 submissions, 9 projects were selected. The last contract between the EU and a selected 100% with activities applicant from this Call for Proposals was agreed outside Baku in December 2011. Most project activities begin in 2012.

Selected Projects

Detailed descriptions of the 9 selected EIDHR For more information please contact the EU 2010 projects along with contact details are Delegation directly at: provided on the following pages. [email protected]

7 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2010

Support for Human Rights Defenders in Azerbaijan

Human Rights House Network

Project Budget Action Duration Action Locations €152,870 18 months Baku, Ganja, Shaki, and EU Contribution End date €121,870 July 2013 Implementing Organisations The Human Rights House Network (HRHN) Project Summary unites 70 NGOs in 15 countries in Western The project supports Human Rights Balkans, Eastern and South Defenders in Azerbaijan by contributing to Caucasus, East and Horn of Africa, and the sustainability of the Human Rights Western Europe. HRHN´s aim is to protect, House Azerbaijan (HRHA) and all its strengthen and support human rights partners, enhancing cooperation and defenders and their organisations. professional capacities of Human Rights Human Rights House Azerbaijan (HRH Az) is Defenders, engaging youth in human rights a collaborative project of non- work, and raising awareness on the role and governmental organisations that since activities of Human Rights Defenders and 2009 work in partnership to promote human rights issues overall. human rights in Azerbaijan. These objectives are reached through encouraging networking among Human Rights Defenders, establishing a Human Contact Information Rights School for young Human Rights HRHN - Ane Tusvik Bonde Defenders, providing English courses for Tel: +47 997 47 907 Human Rights Defenders, and engaging in [email protected] strategic litigation cases. These activities http://humanrightshouse.org/ are supplemented by awareness raising initiatives such as film screenings, youth HRH Az - Katerina Spacova and think tank discussions, press Tel: +9955 99072254 conferences, seminars, round tables, photo [email protected] exhibitions, essay competitions and [email protected] quarterly bulletin on project activities and http://humanrightshouse.org/Members/ the human rights situation in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan/index.html

8 2010 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

Developing civil society capacity for preventing discriminatory torture and ill-treatment The Equal Rights Trust

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €166,666 18 months The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) is registered as EU Contribution End date a charity under UK law since 2007 and acts €150,000 May 2013 as an advocacy organisation, resource centre and think tank whose purpose is to Project Summary combat discrimination and promote The aim of the project is to strengthen the equality as a fundamental human right and role of civil society in preventing a basic principle of social justice. discriminatory torture and ill-treatment in Women’s Organization Tomris is a Ganja Azerbaijan. based Azerbaijani organisations founded To achieve this, the project will conduct and and registered in 1992. The mission of the publish a comprehensive baseline study on organization is to promote development the situation of discriminatory torture and through human rights, education and civil ill-treatment in country, which will then be society projects. used as part of a public awareness-raising and advocacy campaign , the purpose of which will be to encourage and empower individuals to challenge violations of their own and other’s human rights. In addition, Contact Information the project will establish and run bi- ERT - Dimitrina Petrova monthly CSO Forums, and organise Tel: +44 (0)20 3 441 7436 trainings for NGOs on using human rights [email protected], and anti-discrimination law, as well as www.equalrightstrust.org advocacy and litigation, in order to foster cooperation among CSOs and enhance TOMRIS - Nushaba Mamedova their capacity in addressing violation cases Tel: +99450 632 61 02 related to discriminatory torture and ill- [email protected] treatment.

Action Location Azerbaijan

9 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2010

Enhancing access to justice for internally displaced persons and strengthening civil society efforts to improve the national response in Azerbaijan PRAXIS

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €180 000 24 months “PRAXIS” Support to Social Development EU Contribution End date is a local organization established in 2003 €144 000 December 2013 and registered in 2005. The overall aim of the organization is to promote conditions of Project Summary sustainable human development in which The project goal is to assist internally people are able to enjoy a full range of displaced persons in obtaining their basic human rights, fulfill their needs free from rights and freedoms. poverty and live in dignity. This is achieved by providing professional Centre for Legal and Economic Education legal aid and counselling services to (CLEE) works to increase legal education internally displaced persons and returnees and provide free legal assistance to through counselling and legal aid centres in refugees, IDPs, disabled persons, Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja and Fizuli, and pensioners, other people who need social mobile visits to reach those in need of legal maintenance for other emergency aid, but with no access to these centres. circumstances The project also represents IDPs’ interests in civil court proceedings; pursues strategic litigation cases in courts of higher instance and the European Court of Human Rights, Contact Information and organizes capacity building events for selected local NGOs on topics such as PRAXIS - Tarlan Ahmadov professional legal assistance and in-court Tel: +99412 530 87 01/530 87 02 representation, advocacy for IDPs, [email protected] management of legal aid centres, www.praxis.az monitoring and control over the quality of CLEE - Agamirza Bagirov work, evaluation of IDP assistance Tel: +99412 596 73 62 programs; and conducting bilateral [email protected] advocacy meetings with local authorities.

Action Locations Baku, Sumqayit, Ganja Fizuli 10 2010 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

Public Awareness Campaign on Domestic Violence

Public Union for Gender Equality and Women's Initiatives

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €120,600 24 months Gender Equality and Women's Initiatives EU Contribution End date Public Union (GEWI) was founded in July €108,000 November 2013 2007 with the purpose of developing democracy in Azerbaijan by strengthening Project Summary of the role of women in social and political The project supports the recently adopted life, and conducting research on and raising Law on Domestic Violence by raising awareness of gender equality. awareness about it throughout Azerbaijan. Regional Gender Center (RGC) was Activities of the project include conducting established in 2007 in Barda. Its mission is a survey on gender based violence in the to develop gender culture and strengthen country to improve understanding of the the process of transforming equal rights to current situation; Organizing trainings for equal opportunities in the gender sphere. regional NGOs, lawyers and psychologists The Center of Women's Studies and Policies on specialized knowledge and techniques (CWSP)was established in June 2003 to in regard to the new gender violence support gender and equal opportunity prevention mechanism, and encourage issues in Bulgaria. them to conduct similar gender and domestic violence trainings in their own Contact Information regions, and provide free of charge psychological and legal counselling for GEWI - Aida Ibragimkhalilova women in rural areas; Establishing a Tel: +994 12 497 65 68 national information hot-line on the details [email protected], www.gewi-az.org of the new law; and launching and running a country wide information campaign to RGC - Shargiya Dadashova both inform and encourage stakeholders to Tel: +0110 5 43 66; +99450 336 32 74 address gender violence in a more [email protected] coordinated and efficient way. CWSP - Tatyana Kmetova Action Location Tel: +359 2 981 79 80 [email protected] Baku and 33 other cities and towns in http://www.cwsp.bg/ Azerbaijan.

11 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2010

Capacity Building for Citizen Participation and Increasing Accountability of Elected Bodies

Election Monitoring and Democracy Studies Center

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €156,330 24 months “The Election Monitoring and Democracy EU Contribution End date Studies Center (EMDS) was founded in €120,374 April 2013 2008 in Azerbaijan to develop civil society and democracy though assisting in the Project Summary conduct of free and fair elections, The project strengthens citizen supporting active citizen participation in participation in public policy making and public administration, and ensuring thereby increases the accountability of transparency and accountability in the elected and executive state bodies. activities of local and national state authorities Project activities include conducting and publishing a baseline survey on the level of The School of Democratic Journalism (SDJ) involvement of citizens in public policy; was founded in 2007 to increase the Supporting civic groups NGOs, labor pluralism and quality of national media by unions, local communities, youth and promoting citizen journalism in Azerbaijan. women organizations - in establishing Advisory Councils of Citizens on Local Governance and a National Council on Parliament-Citizen Relations to address the problems concerning relations between Contact Information citizens and elected state bodies; Raising awareness by producing best practice EMDS - Anar Mammadli publications, conducting discussions, civic Tel: +99412 596 22 94 forums, and trainings; and running a [email protected]; national public advocacy campaign to raise [email protected] www.smdt.az awareness among the general public. SDJ - Hajiyev Rovshan Action Locations Tel: +99412 510 78 81/82 Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, , Guba, [email protected] Sheki, , Jalilabad, ,and

12 2010 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

New Media Development and Regional Outreach

Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €117,876 12 months The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and EU Contribution End date Safety (IFRS) is a local NGO founded in 2006 €103,000 October 2012 supporting freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. It builds capicty of journalists Project Summary and raises awareness of journalists’ rights The project raises public awareness of locally and internationally. human rights issues, as well as increases The School of Democratic Journalism (SDJ) the capacity of Human Rights Defenders to was founded in 2007 to increase the use internet media to disseminate human pluralism and quality of national media by rights information. promoting citizen journalism in Azerbaijan. Project activities include: collecting and The Regional Human Rights and Media publicising views of the general public on Center (RHRMC) was established to protect up-to date social, economic and political human rights in the regions of Azerbaijan issues through the “Difficult question” and to promote development and program; Producing and disseminating accessibility of mass media by providing “how-to” manuals for the production and free legal assistance and raising awareness. dissemination of human rights news; Training Human Rights Defenders in five Contact Information regions on how to cover human rights information; Producing and broadcasting IRFS - Emin Huseynov news flashes and weekly interviews with Tel: +99412 418 03 34 human rights defenders, and politicians; [email protected], http://www.irfs.az/ and developing and airing public service announcements on human rights issues in SDJ - Hajiyev Rovshan specific communities. Tel: +99412 510 78 81/82 [email protected] Action Location Baku, Nakhchivan, Ganja, , and RHRMC Lankaran. Tel: +99450 363 57 10 [email protected]

13 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2010

Youth School of Liberal Values

Intelligent Citizen Enlightenment Centre

to disseminate civil society ideas and Project Budget Action Duration €118,836 24 months democratic values in the Western region of Azerbaijan and create initiatives to attract EU Contribution End date youth into the civil society development €104,000 November 2013 process. Project Summary Development in Science and Education The project empowers a group of two Public Union (DSE) exists since 2007 and is hundred young people with knowledge and also a Ganja based organisation. The skills to enhance their participation in organisation is aiming at strengthening civic political and social life by establishing and engagement and participation among strengthening youth initiative groups. youths and building greater sense of Project activities include conducting a community among them. number of trainings on history of Intellect was established in 2002 with the democracy in the world and in Azerbaijan, goal of educating Azerbaijani youth about human rights, critical thinking, leadership, civil society and encouraging them to civil society and non governmental actively participate in the civil society organisations. Moreover, the action development process promotes the role of youth in the Western part of Azerbaijan in civil society by Contact Information organising youth camps and conferences. It establishes Youth Initiative groups, which ICEC - Dr. Hasan Huseynli are supported through trainings on NGO Tel: +99422 563 025 registration, proposal writing, NGO [email protected] management and fundraising. www.kamilv.az

Action Locations DSE - Ahmad Guliyev Ganja, Samukh, , Tel: +99450 372 62 30 [email protected] Implementing Organisations Intelligent Citizen Enlightenment Centre Intellect - Nadir Ibadov (ICEC) was established in 2004 and is based Tel: +99450 325 98 53 in Ganja. The mission of the organisation is [email protected]

14 2010 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights

Energizing Environmental Agenda in Azerbaijan through Empowered Media and Civil Society Efforts Internews Azerbaijan Public Association

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €164,445 18 months Internews Azerbaijan Public Association EU Contribution End date has been active in Azerbaijan since 1997, €148,000 July 2013 with the core goal of giving independent media the support they need to become Project Summary professional and self-reliant. The activity The project supports efforts to promote field of Internews is focused on education, environmental awareness and ensure culture, ecology, anti-corruption, gender, citizens’ rights to a clean environment. youth, health and elections through media. Project activities include training media and Intelligent Citizen Enlightenment Centre CSOs to improve their professional skills, (ICEC) was established in 2004 and is based knowledge and attitudes on environmental in Ganja. The mission of the organisation is reporting, and creating a forum for debate to disseminate civil society ideas and where different social groups and democratic values in the Western region of institutions discuss socially important Azerbaijan and create initiatives to attract issues. In addition, to improve media youth into the civil society development coverage, the project will mobilize civil process. society efforts, youth and educational institutions to raise the attention on the Contact Information solution of environmental problems enhance collaboration amongst the media, Internews - Azada Huseynova government and NGOs to raise public Tel: +99412 497 21 02/03 awareness of environmental issues. The [email protected] project also provides help to provide expert www.internews.az recommendations of NGOs, international organizations to the government of ICEC - Dr. Hasan Huseynli Azerbaijan concerning reform Tel: +99422 563 025 development in the field. [email protected] [email protected] Action Location www.kamilv.az Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Shamkir, Gazakh and Mingachevir

15 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights 2010

Youth Houses as a Platform to Enhance Youth Participation in the Environment

UNICEF

Project Budget Action Duration the member states of the EU 4) Conduct €200,000 24 months small scale local environmental projects EU Contribution End date €150,000 January 2014 Action Locations Lankaran, , , Goygol and Project Summary This project aims at increasing awareness of young people on environmental issues Implementing Organisations enabling them to make decisions regarding United Nations Children's Emergency Fund environmental safety. (UNICEF) was chartered over 65 years ago by the United Nations and currently is the The project works in 5 Youth Houses world's leading organisation protecting the (Lenkaran, Sabirabad, Yevlakh, Goygol and rights of children and young people. Goranboy) and provides them with extensive training on how to design and The National Assembly of Youth implement small scale environmental organizations of Republic of Azerbaijan projects, which UNICEF will then support (NAYORA) was established by 11 youth via their Country Programme for the next organizations and was registered in 1996. five years with the Ministry of Youth and NAYORA currently has 70 member Sport and the use of environmental organizations. incentives within its overall framework. Given that young people are instrumental in initiating changes in society, the project Contact Information will establish working relations between local governments and Youth Houses that UNICEF - Natik UMAROV would enable young people to influence Tel: +99412 492 30 13 decisions related to environmental safety at [email protected] the local level. To enable this, the project www.unicef.org will 1) Establish Environmental Groups in Youth Houses 2) Provide IEC materials to NAYORA - Orkhan ARABOV districts on how to improve their Tel: +99412 564 90 14 environment 3) Organize a study tour for www.nayora.az main stakeholders of the project to one of 16 Instruments

Activities for children with disabilities (CWD) and their families as part of an EU funded 2009 project implemented by Centre for Innovations in Education. The project raised awareness about CWD issues and provided training to key stakeholders to create a better environment for CWD.

Non-State Actors in Development (NSA)

About the Instrument

The second main instrument of the EU in order tofacilitate their involvement in policy Azerbaijan is Non-State Actors in local making process and to enhance capacity to Development. Its main goal is : deliver basic services to the poorest peoples" "poverty reduction in the context of The NSA-LA instrument is implemented in all sustainable development, including pursuit countries (including the EU), except third of Millennium Development Goals and other industrialised countries. The average annual internationally agreed targets… [through] budget is €230 million. capacity building to Non-State Actors… in

17 Non-State Actors in Development

NSA in Azerbaijan 2007-2010

Since 2007 four in-country calls for proposals have been held in Azerbaijan with the NSA instrument, with over €4.6 million allocated to 17 projects. Project activities touched on issues such as improving employment opportunities in the

€1.5m

€1.1m

€1.1m regions, tourism, civil society capacity €0.9m building, empowerment of municipalities, 2007 2008 2009 2010 foster care, social inclusion of children with Year of NSA Call for Proposals special needs, and improving social conditions in rural areas in environmentally sustainable ways. NSA 2010 Call for Proposals

The most recent Call for Proposals was launched in November 2010 at the same time Overview of 2010 NSA as the 2010 EIDHR call. To be eligible for Selected Projects funding under the NSA instrument, project proposals needed reflect one or both of the following themes: 7 /83 selected 1. Support CSO advocacy efforts towards local and national government in the formulation and implementation of 42% submitted by sustainable development strategies local organisations 2. Strengthening the support to vulnerable and excluded groups most exposed to implemented by poverty in rural areas 100% or with local organisations Out of 83 submissions, 7 projects were selected. The last contract between the EU and a selected applicant from this Call for 100% with activities Proposals was signed in December 2011. outside Baku

Selected Projects

Detailed descriptions of the 7 selected NSA For more information please contact the EU 2010 projects along with contact details are Delegation directly at: provided on the following pages. [email protected]

18 2010 Non-State Actors in Development

Enhancing the livelihoods of IDPs in the through tangible agricultural advancement Ganja Agribusiness Association

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €234,385 18 months Ganja Agribusiness Association (GABA), is EU Contribution End date a non-governmental organisation €208,602 April 2013 established in 1996 in Ganja to promote sustainable development of Azerbaijan's Project Summary agrarian sector through human potential The project aims to strengthen community development, knowledge and resource competence and empower economic transfer. GABA is the primary organization viability of the Yeni Veyisili IDP Settlement in Azerbaijan promoting organic by increasing agricultural production agriculture. capacity and improving the income "Young Leaders” Public Union was potential and employment opportunities registered in 2005. The goal of the for the community members. organisation is to provide assistance to The activities of the project include people in the areas of justice, equality and development of 30 new greenhouses, moral foundations. provision of agriculture and business skills trainings for 500 rural farmers, and establishing 30 farmer's groups to develop connections between neighbouring communities. The project also provides Contact Information technical assistance to Farmer Group members. In addition the project provides GABA - Vugar Babayev support in marketing to facilitate access of Tel: +99422 56 94 00 farmers to consumers. [email protected] www.gaba.az Action Location Young Leaders - Sabina Alekperova YeniVeyislli IDP Community,Goranboy Tel: +99450 222 45 20 [email protected]

19 Non-State Actors in Development 2010

Intra-community dialogue for inclusive community development

British Council

Project Budget Action Duration UK and building lasting relationships € 256 448 24 months between the UK and other countries. EU Contribution End date Azerbaijan Human Rights Foundation €190 781 January 2013 (AHRF) was founded in 1999 and provides juridical, financial and technical assistance Project Summary to the regional human rights NGOs, and The project improves cooperation between promotes democratic values, human rights, local authorities and non-state actors in poverty reduction, and development in Zagatala, Gakh, Balakan, and Oghuz. Azerbaijan. The project provides capacity building The Economic Research Centre (ERC) is a workshops, trainings, regional roundtables, policy-research oriented non-profit think and a newly developed recommendation tank facilitating sustainable economic package to build capacity of local development and good governance in authorities and non-state actors; Azerbaijan. establishes a localized Citizens Participation Strategy Framework, and introduces pilot Contact Information projects to the annual activities of 20 municipalities. Recommendations for BC - Nigar Baimova amendments to national legislation on Tel: +99412 497 20 13/497 15 93 municipalities are prepared and submitted [email protected] to the National Parliament www.britishcouncil.az

Action Locations AHRF Zagatala, Gakh, Balakan, Oghuz Tel: +99412 596 00 08 azerbaijan@human-rights- foundation.org Implementing Organisations www.human-rights-foundation.az British Council Royal Trust is the UK's leading international organisation for ERC educational and cultural relations, Tel: +99412 465 18 41 connecting people worldwide with learning [email protected], www.erc-az.org opportunities and creative ideas from the 20 2010 Non-State Actors in Development

Enhancing the effectiveness of government by strengthening the role of think tanks in decision-making arena Economic Research Centre

Project Budget Action Duration of facilitating sustainable economic €210,000 24 months development and good governance in EU Contribution End date Azerbaijan. €185,000 March 2014 Public Association for an Open Society (PASOS) was registered under Czech law on Project Summary September 16, 2004 as a Citizens The project aims at de-monopolising public Association. PASOS supports the policy decisions in Azerbaijan by building development and strengthens the outreach institutional and research capacity of 18 and impact of its 50 members. non-state think tanks and enhancing cooperation between those think tanks and Intelligent Citizen Enlightenment Centre relevant stakeholders including govern- (ICEC) was established in 2004 and is based ment agencies and media. in Ganja. The mission of the organisation is Project activities include developing the to disseminate civil society ideas and capacities of think tanks in identifying democratic values in the Western region of relevant policy topics, analyzing policy Azerbaijan and create initiatives to attract options, communicating results of policy youth into the civil society development research to the government and making process. their findings widely available to the general public. Furthermore, the action Contact Information strengthens the management structure of think tanks by introducing quality control ERC - Gubad Bayramov systems and developing organisational Tel:+99412 465 18 41 office@erc-az, www.erc-az procedures PASOS Action Location Tel:+420 2223 13644, Baku, Ganja, Sheki [email protected], www.pasos.org

Implementing Organisations ICEC - Dr. Hasan Huseynli The Economic Research Centre (ERC) was Tel:+99422 563 025; established in 1999 and is a policy-research [email protected]; oriented non-profit think tank with the goal www.kamilv.az

21 Non-State Actors in Development 2010

Empowering Mental Health service users in 5 regions of Azerbaijan

Global Initiative on Psychiatry

Project Budget Action Duration world. It aims to facilitate the emergence of €182 621 24 months agents of long-term change in this arena EU Contribution End date who can guide their societies in introducing €164 359 January 2014 more enabling approaches to mental health issues. Project Summary Initiative for the Sake of Development (ISD) The objective of the project is to strengthen was registered in Azerbaijan in 2004. Its the capacity of Mental Health service users mission is to promote children and young in Azerbaijan to take an active role in people's rights protection including a right improving their life situations. for education, health and comprehensive Project activities include developing a development through the means of civil resource centre for Mental Health related initiative. Its activities are related to issues in Baku to support all organisations children, young people and families working on the topic in Azerbaijan; experiencing crisis circumstances and other Establishing and building capacity of local vulnerable populations Mental Health User groups that will bring together relevant stakeholders to facilitate communication and create forum for Contact Information discussion; and running a national awareness raising campaign to combat GIP - Virginija Klimukiene stigma and raise understanding of mental Tel: +370 5 271 5760 health related issues. [email protected] www.gip-vilnius.lt Action Locations Baku, Ganja, Sheki, Guba, Lankaran ISD - Dr. Narmin Hajiyeva Tel: +99412 510 66 17 Implementing Organisations [email protected] Global Initiative on Psychiatry (GIP) is an www.initiative.az international not-for-profit organization for the promotion of humane, ethical and effective mental health care throughout the

22 2010 Non-State Actors in Development

Sustainable development of a village: Civil Society Municipality Co-operation Model (COSMO)

Independent Consumers Union

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €219 229 24 months Independent Consumer Union (ICU) was EU Contribution End date established in 1997 with the objective of €197 306 December 2013 protecting consumer rights. Environmental Sustainability Public Union Project Summary (EKOT) was established in 1999 to raise The project aims at establishing a new public awareness about environmental cooperation strategy between matters, such as climate change, water municipalities and civil society towards management, ecological sanitation, achieving sustainable development. alternative sources of energy, gender The project is in line with the State Program equality and human environmental rights on Socio-Economic Development of Guba Regional NGOs Resource and Training Regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Centre (GRTC), is one of 5 centres created by 2009-2013 that focuses on the improve- UNDP and the Government of Azerbaijan in ment of social life of rural population 2001 in order to provide training and including those living in mountainous coordinate the work of regional NGOs in villages of Guba district. The project works Azerbaijan. in 3 municipalities of the Guba region iestablishing Effective Civil Society Municipality Cooperation Model (COSMO) Contact Information further to be applied to other villages. ICU - Eyyub Huseynov Through a series of trainings, round tables Tel: +99412 449 89 95 and events, the project develops [email protected] cooperation between the municipalities www.consumer-aib.com and local communities and helps them to EKOT - Aytan Poladova implement their own ideas with the Tel: +99412 441 28 33 purpose of creating long term sustainable [email protected] sources of income. GRTC - Eynulla Kheyrullayev Action Location [email protected] Guba (Chichi, Elik and Sohub municipalities)

23 Non-State Actors in Development 2010

Special Economic Action for the Blind

Save the Children

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €216 000 18 months Save the Children is the world's largest EU Contribution End date independent organization for children, €193 744 August 2013 making a difference to children's lives in over 120 countries. It is made up of 29 Project Summary national organizations with a global staff of The project aims to improve the situation of more than 14,000. From emergency relief sight-impaired people in Ganja and their to long-term development, Save the families, by supporting the Ganja city Children helps children to achieve a happy, Training and Production Enterprises #1 and healthy and secure childhood. #2 of the Azerbaijan Association for Blind Persons (ABP) in introducing modernized Bridge to the Future (BF) is an Azerbaijani and market-oriented production youth NGO established in April 2000. The techniques. strategic mission of the organization is to be a 'bridge' between youth and society for The project provides education, promoting humanism, solidarity and co- information and training in production, operation in Azerbaijan. sales/marketing, financial literacy, enterprise management and leadership, and it recruits a consultant to guide the Contact Information Associations on market research, to build their members’ capacity in business plan StC Azerbaijan - Bahar Arabova developmentsecuring a loan from a Tel:+99450 250 10 37 microfinance institution. The business [email protected] schemes, best practices and lessons www.savethechildren.org learned of the targeted enterprises will be documented for replication in other similar BF - Orkhan Abbasov structures. Tel: +99422 568 015 [email protected] Action Locations www.bf-az.org Ganja

24 2010 Non-State Actors in Development

Social Rights Development community based strategies to include vulnerable and isolated children to pre-school education

United Aid for Azerbaijan

Project Budget Action Duration Finally, it acts as a bridge between policy €280,696 24 months makers and local populations to facilitate EU Contribution End date the development and implementation of €250,000 December 2013 relevant legislation.

Project Summary Action Location This project contributes to the Sumgayit, Bilasuvar, Lankoran, implementation of national policies for improving early childhood development Implementing Organisations outcomes for children who are excluded United Aid for Azerbaijan (UAFA) is due to poverty, location and disability in registered in Azerbaijan since 1998, with a Azerbaijan, in line with the Millienium mission to ‘aid long-term development of Development Goals, UNCRC and UN life in Azerbaijan, with a particular focus on convention on Rights of People with children, health and education’. Disabilities. Centre for Innovations in Education (CIE), The project works in 4 regions to create exists since 2004 as a national association positive examples of inclusive for parents, teachers, and faculty to environments for children with disabilities advocate for educational reforms and by providing relevant training to teachers in promote ongoing development of 1-2 kindergartens per region. It also education professionals. establishes and supports Self Help Groups (primarily of parents of excluded children), Contact Information which: (a) help their members better cope with children with disabilities; (b) create UAFA - Gwendolyn Burchell further examples of socially accepting Tel: +99412 497 01 04/497 25 19 spaces for children with disabilities through [email protected] the organisation of inclusive activities (c) www.uafa.org.uk raise awareness of their communities about the issue of children with disabilities, CIE - Ulviya Mikailova Tel: +99412 498 64 03 and (d) lobby and support local and [email protected] national authorities in creating and www.cie.az implementing relevant policies.

25 Instruments

As part of a 2009 EU funded project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council, children are encouraged to take a more active role in their communities. Above, a child spends time with a disabled person in their village in central Azerbaijan.

Global Thematic Instruments

About the Thematic Instrument

Unlike the EIDHR and NSA instruments, which Besides the EIDHR and NSA, Global Thematic have specific financial allocations for instruments focus on the following areas: Azerbaijan, Global Thematic Instruments .Environment and sustainable management focus on themes and then identify groups of of natural resources including energy countries that are affected by them. No .Food security national allocations are set during a Global Call for Proposals, but organisations from the .Migration and asylum selected countries and the EU can apply for .Investing in people funding. The Global Thematic Instruments have a combined annual budget of €570 million.

Thematic Instruments in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is often included in Calls for In 2010, one project was funded under the Proposals under the Global Thematic HIV priority area of the Investing in People instruments: Between 2007 - 2009, five Instrument and will begin activities in 2012. projects received funding under them.

26 2010 Global Thematic Instruments

Capacity building for non-state actors in relation to HIV-AIDS prevention, treatment and care for the European Neighbourhood and Partnership countries Leader Women Public Union

Project Budget Action Duration Implementing Organisations €306,757 24 months Leader Women Public Union was founded EU Contribution End date in 2011 and promotes women’s leadership €245,405 December 2013 in Azerbaijan. The International Center for Social Research Project Summary (ICSR) deals with gender equality, building The Action increases HIV/AIDS prevention of civil society, women, family and marriage among young women in 9 selected rural issues, women leadership, violence against areas of Azerbaijan, througha socio- women, youth and children development, culturaleducation approach , awareness socio-cultural values, rural population raising and empowerment activities. development and NGO sustainability.

Project activities include local civil society National Assembly of Youth Organizations training on how to participate in large scale of Republic Azerbaijan (NAYORA) since 1996 HIV/AIDS activities and awareness-raising has been raising awareness on HIV/AIDS campaigns as well as plan, design, among young people. NAYORA has 70 implement and manage HIV/AIDS member organizations. prevention projects and initiatives at the local level. A baseline survey is conducted Contact Information to study attitudes towards HIV/AIDS among womeninruralareas,followedby LW - Tair Faradov, awareness raising campaigns. A follow-up Tel: +99412 494 14 56; survey will be carried to assess the impact [email protected]; of the campaign. Finally, information [email protected] resources including a training manuals and a brochure on HIV/AIDS prevention among ICSR - Rajab Sattarov young women are developed and Tel: +99455 789 25 21; disseminated among target groups. [email protected]

Action Location NAYORA - Javid Arabov Astara, Jalilabad, Hajigabul, Kurdamir, Lan- Tel: +99412 564 90 14 karan, Masall, , Shamkir,Yevlakh. [email protected] www.nayora.az

27 ISBN 978-92-9238-058-8

Numéro de catalogue AZ-31-12-512-EN-C

DOI 10.2871/22340

Further information

For information related to calls for proposals: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/funding/

For more information on the Civil Society Forum of the Eastern Partnership: www.eeas.europa.eu/eastern/civil_society

Toregister your organisation in PADOR: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/onlineservices/pador/

For information related to the European Union and the European Commission: http://europa.eu/

For any other information related to the Delegation of the European Union and the non-state actors in Azerbaijan, please contact the EU Delegation's Operations Section: Tel:+994.12.497.20.63 email: [email protected] Website: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/azerbaijan