The project "Initiative to improve the school’s reputation through the development of the school community” funded by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan has begun to be implemented by "Umid” Support to Social Development Public Union ("Umid” SSD) and T-NETWORK, educators’ experience and communication platform. It will take 12 months to complete the project. Two settlements (Turkan and Hovsan) in the Baku area are the project's target focus.
 
The main idea of this project, which will be carried out in collaboration with the project partner "T-NETWORK” platform, is to a) improve community relations in order to increase the school's reputation and b) foster an environment at the school where community members will be more welcome, treated with respect.
The main goal of the project is to elevate the school to the status of a community hub. To achieve this goal, the following objectives are expected to be implemented:
 

Objectives 1: Establishment of School Development Councils in the target communities

Objective 2: Capacity building of School Development Councils

Objective 3: Implementation and sustainability of practical projects in the community

As part of the project, 2 School Development Councils (SDCs) will be formed in 2 target communities (Turkan and Hovsan settlements) each with 9 members (a total of 18) and 22 training sessions on 11 topics in two stages (mobilization, needs identification, project proposal preparation, leadership and teamwork, sustainability and maintenance plan, effective presentation, etc.) will be organized. Surveys will be conducted in each community to determine the needs of the community and the school, an action plan and project proposals will be prepared to address the identified priority needs. With the participation of the school and the community, one project (such as enriching the school library, improving the school's scientific and technological base, greening the school garden, installing sports facilities, etc.) will be carried out in each community. Throughout the project period, a number of activities that will help the school’s reputation and community development will be carried out, including organizing environmental actions, hosting significant days in science and other subjects, starting art and sports clubs, organizing student meetings with authors and poets, storytelling, reading outside the classroom, holding competitions like drawing contests, etc.

The project will result in a 50% increase in the abilities of 18 SDC members in identifying community needs, creating project proposals, sustainability, etc. 4 project proposals will be created for 4 needs. 4 Sustainability and Maintenance Plans will be prepared for the sustainability of the projects (4 projects) to be implemented in each of the 2 target communities, and 2 Action Plans for a 3-year period will be prepared for the improvement and sustainability of school-community relations. 4 projects will be carried out, 2 in each of the 2 target communities (Turkan and Hovsan settlements). 1500 students from the 2 schools operating in Turkan and Hovsan settlements as well as 1000 community members (parents, entrepreneurs, etc.) will benefit from these projects. In this approach, a collaboration between the community and the school will be bolstered, and the school will develop into a hub of the community.