«Sustainable Community Development in the Northern regions of Azerbaijan» project which started to be Implemented in April and covered 5 regions is successfully going on under support of BP/Azerbaijan. The aim of the Program is Community Mobilization, development of entrepreneurship activity and employment of population through community approach. There was planned to implement the program in 3 phases.

The community is a unity of families (people) with equal rights, having unity of social-economic interests and populated in the same area.

The first phase of the program (Community Mobilization) covers April-June. In August, activities launched to be implemented in 2 directions.

Mobilization of new communities in areas along Northern Export Pipeline - this phase covers the followings as in the 1st one: conducting of surveys, organization of Round Tables, formation of Community Action Teams (CAT) and selection of leader, community room, as well as needs assessment, delivering initial trainings ("Community Mobilization", "Team Work", "Writing Project Proposal").

Mainly strengths and weaknesses, needs and experience of the first phase was taken into consideration in this stage other than traditional community approach.

It is planned to deliver "Conflict Resolution" training to new mobilized communities in comparison with the 1st phase. New mobilized communities are the followings: Tazakand, Karabagli, Gandab, Leyti, Gara Siyazan, Rahimli, Gozagaci, Eynibulag, Dashliyatag

Relation between CATs have not weakened in firstly mobilized communities in the second phase. The capacity building of these communities on the solution of their own problems continued. Although some problems have been solved in communities, they are far from high living level. That's why the Round Tables are being conducted once a month in each community. The current problems and challenges, future plans and activity directions are being discussed during the Round Tables. Generally, as a result of cooperation on this program the faith to solve independently the problems of communities have increased.

Communities implemented 10 micro-projects under the support of "Umid" HSSC:

  • Maintenance of a part of Ashagi Zeyid rural school named after R.Aliyev;

  • Construction of school fence in Takhtalar village;

  • Reconstruction of bridge in Beshdam village;

  • Construction of stop in Zarat village;

  • Construction of gas supply pipeline to new settlement in Surra village;

  • Construction of water supply pipeline to new district in Garachay Jeck;

  • Construction of Medical Center in Gunashli village;

  • Construction of spring and implementation of sanitation works in Agalig village;

  • Maintenance of Balaja Hamya rural secondary school;

  • Basic repair works in Boyuk Hamya rural secondary school.

Sayings of Telman Malikov, the Community Leader: It was many years that there occurred inter-community conflicts. We were not able to gather and settle any problem together. This showed itself in the selection of the municipality as well. First times, while beginning community work there observed disbelief in people. General meetings were arranged and all were invited to them. Surveys were conducted on prioritized needs taking into consideration their opinion, and Community Action Team (CAT) was formed. These people joined discussions through participating in round tables, the people got close to one another, and were encouraged to common work.

Our community has implemented a micro-project on the repair of Ashagi Zeyid rural secondary school. We used finance provided by the donor and community contribution as well. We applied to the population in order to collect community contribution. Everyone gave a money with great enthusiasm. For instance, school staff - 160.000AzM, municipality - 400.000AzM etc.

With this program, community's belief for ability to solve community problems independently and jointly has increased.

In order to promote sustainability of projects, we have participated in training sessions arranged by "Umid" HSSC, and developed "Sustainability and Management Plan". We are willing to apply this plan to our common work.

Development of Communities active in Sumgait

Community's formation, development and successful performance is promoted through community mobilization base. Community mobilization is a process which is constantly required in community's performance, and is very important for the community.

Round Tables, trainings, individual and group meetings with community members have been held in target communities active in Sumgait city. The aim of round tables and meetings are:

  • To prepare general work plan of community and CAT in order to provide sequent and sustainable development of the community;

  • To identify the community contribution in construction-repair works being conducted at schools during the summer.

Problems appeared in new education year have been discussed once more at the Round Tables and solution ways have been investigated. Action Plan for the next period is under elaboration at present.

The information on investigation of development ways of community fund and providing of its right usage, involving of volunteers in the community work, time management and its useful spending were given to community members at the trainings.

As a result of implemented activities, the performance of communities and parents' efforts increased in direction of solution of school problems in comparison with previous months.

Regular activities are being implemented in a direction of community development. Initial investigation have been held in order to identify two new schools to be selected. Safiyan rural secondary school of Lachin region and Mahmudlu rural secondary school of Gubadli region have been selected according to demands of the project. The need assessment have been held in every school and estimation of repair and construction works was made up.

Meetings with community members have been organized in new schools and the aim of the project have been clarified and the opinion have been learnt.

The plan of coordination meetings of Teacher-Parent Associations and Community, to be held in September-December of 2003, on promoting and extending inter-community integration have been developed and discussed among the employees in order to organize and widely discussed by the staff members.

The outcomes of the survey conducted in communities in order to organize, and necessity of integration have been taken into consideration during the preparation of the plan.

IDP school have been repaired

"Umid" HSSC conducted repair and rehabilitation works in Fizuli region secondary school #7 in Sumgait under the support of UNHCR. 2 schoolrooms and one community room of the school were repaired by "Umid" HSSC, and 2 schoolrooms - by School Community (Teacher Parent Association). All the schoolrooms were provided by necessary equipment and visual aids.

Opening Ceremony of this school was conducted on the 1st of September - the Day of Knowledge.

Marc Spurling - Azerbaijan National Program Officer of UNHCR, Rasim Guliyev - Director of "Umid" HSSC, representatives of Sumgait and Fuzuli ExComs, Sevindik Huseynov - Chairman of Sumgait Branch of State Committee of Refugees, Chairman of "Nijat" Islamic Organization, Nazim Ibadov - Chairman of the organization of Buta participated in the ceremony, and shared their heartfelt words to teachers of and children going to attend the school, as well as their parents.