Civil Society Project in Azerbaijan

The goal of the USAID-funded Civil Society Project is to assist the citizens of Azerbaijan and the Government of Azerbaijan (GOAJ) to institutionalize pluralistic, representative approaches to shaping and implementing economic and social reform. To achieve this goal, the Civil Society Project focuses on strengthening the capacity of a core group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and institutions to actively engage in public dialogue on economic and social governance issues of the greatest interest to the citizenry of the country. Specifically, the Project seeks to strengthen: 1) capacity of CSOs to engage in key socio-economic development issues, and 2) the legal enabling environment for non-governmental organizations. Counterpart International's (Counterpart) institutional partner, the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), provides specialized legal framework technical assistance that is synergistic with Counterpart's focus on public policy dialogue and advocacy for socio-economic reform.

The Project engages CSOs, the private sector and government to establish platforms and models to identify and achieve common goals and objectives that promote socio-economic development. Highlights of accomplishments to date include:

• A framework for civic participation in public policy dialogue and implementation.
  Through partnership with CSOs, the Project facilitated the engagement of leaders from government, business, civil society and the media in a nation-wide dialogue in five regional capitals. As a result, 250 stakeholders established a consensus on development priorities in four spheres: economic growth; democracy and governance; infrastructure and environment; and health, education and social.
• 10 advocacy coalitions, involving 30 organizations, engage in dialogue to further reforms.
  Coalitions of CSOs and businesses successfully advocate for institutional reforms resulting in more government investment in areas identified as critical by citizens. For example, coalitions have: influenced the decision of GOAJ to establish a Parliament website that complies with the Law on Information, successfully advocated for AZN 83,200 (nearly $100,000) in investments in traffic safety equipment, and improved services of local health care clinics.

Currently, the Project is engaging with NGOs, private sector, GOAJ and the international community to support the formation of a coalition promoting regional economic development and anti-corruption. The coalition will seek approaches in support policy objectives, which may include the development and implementation of initiatives in support of WTO accession; corporate governance; competitiveness policy; reform of procurement, tax and property laws; expenditure reform; and anti-corruption action planning.

• 33 municipalities institutionalize increased budget transparency and participatory decision making.
  As a result, tens of thousands of dollars of municipal investments have been made in infrastructure and service delivery improvement. For example, the Piral Municipality utilizes financial management software, regularly conducts public hearings, and disseminates information via newsletters and bulletin boards. Officials report that increased transparency and civic participation has bolstered trust and significantly increased tax revenues. As a result, the municipality was able to agree with concerned citizens to invest in the installation of a fresh water system.
• The GOAJ's adoption of guiding principles fostering openness and transparency in the establishment of a new public financing mechanism for CSOs.
  The Project contributed to the adoption of two presidential decrees which set up a financing mechanism, the NGO Council, allowing the GOAJ to support CSOs. As a result, the GOAJ adapted guiding principles and regulations governing the establishment and implementation of a fund (capitalized at $1.7 million) for Azeri CSOs. The Project is continuing to provide the NGO Council with technical assistance and international best practices in institutional development and grant management.
• Policy research papers articulating recommendations from civil society.
  Policy research and recommendations were made by Policy Research Organizations and NGOs on important economic policy issues, including means testing for targeted social assistance, the private sector role in development programs, and public financing of NGOs. Following the presentation of recommendations to GOAJ, the Ministry of Labor made changes in the State Program on Means-Tested Targeted Social Assistance. The Ministry Economic Development acknowledged the importance of introducing the notion of "public-private partnership."
• Study Tour
  In December 2008, the Project organized a study tour for senior NGO Council officials to Seattle, Washington State, USA.  Study tour participants met with city and state contracting entities, private companies and foundations, and NGO service providers to observe results-oriented approaches to open and transparent public and private sector contracting mechanisms used to finance NGOs.  As a result of the study tour, the NGO Council formulated a strategic plan, revised monitoring and evaluation procedures, and is developing and grant making manual to strengthening effective, open and transparent grant making. The Council is also seeking to establish an NGO management school based on US models.

To learn more about Counterpart's Civil Society Project in Azerbaijan, please read the following feature stories:

Stakeholders Hold Constructive Policy Dialogue

Citizens of Fizuli District Participate in Decision-Making Process

A Municipality Learns the Value of Transparent Government

Or visit Counterpart's Azerbaijan Civil Society Project home page.

Photos: © Kyla Springer/Counterpart International.