Since January of 2004, "Umid" HSSC began the implementation of "Zykh Community Development Initiative" project targeted at the surroundings of Sewing Center named after Z.Tagiyev in Khatai region and surroundings of Zykh platform of Shah Deniz Gas Export Project under the financial support of BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Ltd. The project is being implemented within the framework of BP's Community Investment Program.
The basic goal: To provide sustainable social and economic benefit to the communities
"Umid" HSSC plans to implement the following activities in the vulnerable communities within the framework of "Zykh Community Development Initiative" project:
-
Improved capacity of communities to self-organize, manage, and self-initiate community-driven development;
-
Improved living conditions and access to basic needs through the rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure;
-
Improved income generating capacity and increased economic opportunities for communities;
- Improved utilization of production facilities and inputs through training, management and marketing support to service sectors.
These objectives shall be achieved through the implementation of community development and income generation activities.
Community Development
A variety of community development projects will be launched throughout the three-year life of project to address quality of life issues and improve economic opportunities in the intervention communities. The purpose of these projects is to provide communities with the necessary resources to address basic needs and establish a foundation for income-generation. The following three project types will be phased-in appropriately at different stages of the project cycle:
-
Fast-track Demonstration Projects;
-
Community Micro-Projects;
- Infrastructure Projects.
There are many ways in which our project can help the people, living and working in the communities around our sites, to improve and develop their own social and economic environments through activities they have selected for themselves.
Community development is something we can all contribute to, and I hope to engage my colleagues across the world in finding their own ways of supporting our exciting new program.
David Parums, Community Investment Manager
Income Generation
A very high priority for populations within the target areas is income generation. "Umid" HSSC has learned that an important aspect of jumpstarting local economic development is to mobilize communities and cultivate their skills for self-reliance through the community development process. At the same time, local businesses, business associations, and entrepreneurs need to be engaged in the development process. The followings are type of activities that "Umid" HSSC is proposing to implement:
-
Business Development Services (BDS);
-
Association Development;
-
Credit Linkage;
-
Jump-Start Economic Projects;
- Youth Apprenticeships.
"Umid" HSSC launched the implementation of the project since January of 2004. Meetings were arranged with the representatives of Khatai ExCom, governmental agencies and municipalities, information was provided about the goals and objectives of the project.
Surveys and THMs were arranged in order to identify priorities of the people. These surveys and THMs covered 289 people.
Mobilization of three communities, i.e. "Inam", "Etimad" and "Ugur" started. General meeting of the communities was arranged, Community Action Teams (CAT) of "Inam" and "Ugur" communities were formed. Priorities of both communities were identified.
"Inam" community submitted its First Demonstration project of "Rehabilitation of the sports ground of the school #63", "Etimad" community - "Rehabilitation of a fence of the kindergarten #315" and "Rehabilitation of child entertainment centers". Five round tables on the topics of "Preparation to the Training" and "Evaluation of the Training", as well as two "Community Mobilization" trainings were conducted in above-mentioned communities during the preliminary mobilization stage.
