- 20 community members became the graduates of the Community School

In reality, what "Umid” HSSC is interested in is not the number of the communities, but the practicality of the skills and knowledge they obtained, importance rate and forming of the skills which will enable the beneficiaries to recognize the existent problems of the communities they reside in and consequently eradicate them. And naturally, as the human beings enhance their skills and become competent in relevant fields, Umid HSSC improves their approach and activity. It improves its activity so that not to betray its cause to make the hopes of human beings come true.

Year 2006 was very pivotal year in terms of institutionalization of Community Development of "Umid” HSSC. In this sphere, the conception of "Community School” implemented by the experienced experts of "Umid” HSSC creates special interest.

"Umid” HSSC is the first organization in Azerbaijan that established "Community School”. This school, the attendees of which are Community Specialists working with the different social status target groups in various geographical relief of Azerbaijan and the employees who recently joined the Center and volunteers, has effectively organized its functioning by holding seminars and discussions once a month. Last year the exchange of opinions were conducted on such topics as "Community Development process”, "Behavior rules for Community Specialist”, "Documentation of Community Contribution”, "The activity, challenges and development directions of the Community school” in the Community school. 

- New method applied to improve community skills

One of the achievements of 2006 in community development is the application of Organizational Assessment Tool. Our agency, taking the questions that arouse during the conducted assessments and specific character of the communities into account, improved Organizational Assessment Tool (OAT) applied for evaluating initial organizational needs and skills of target beneficiaries in the areas that "Umid” HSSC work in to ensure that it works more effectively in Azerbaijan context. Through OAT, which consists of 5 sections (Internal Management, Protection of Social Interests, General Management, Financial Management, Capacity Building), in turn divided into block questions, the level of target groups prior to the project intervention is identified and appropriately, the development plan is developed. And based on the plan, the common work with target group is done. 


- Access of 6 villages to safe and pure water improved

Along the community development, to study the existent problems in target area in a more detailed way, evaluate the local financial and human resources to solve them, investigating the solutions of the problems, etc., "Umid” HSSC ventured on taking up a quite responsible and incredibly huge commitment in the communities along BTC/SCP. The wish to assist the socio-economic infrastructure of Azerbaijan in any field and to make the civil society believe that it is possible to solve the existent problems encouraged "Umid” HSSC to start studies and researches in the areas along the pipeline. The potable water resources were investigated in 50 rural communities through scientific-research method and consequently, "Umid” HSSC succeeded in ensuring the access to safe water for the population by means of installing modern water purifiers in 6 communities. At the same time, to ensure the sustainability of water purification technologies installed in the communities Limited Liability Companies were formed in each community and they obtained the registration of the Ministry of Justice. LLC heads were elected by each Community Action Group in order to manage the daily operation of the facilities, organize the water sale and ensure the transparency of receipt and expenditure of the incomes from the water sale.


- We supported the youth’ obtaining vocational skills

The courses carried out by "Umid” HSSC based on the Apprenticeship principle that developed on the roots of ingenious Oriental culture and went through the testing during many years in Azerbaijan has already been proving their worth in terms of both professionalism and economic efficiency for several years. 

Through the Apprenticeship component established in 2002, practical and theoretical work skills are taught to the motivated youth, moreover, the business potential of the trademasters and entrepreneurs is strengthened. 

Apprenticeship courses are mainly organized on the fields the target population need very much based on the already conducted serious market studies. The teachers involved in Apprenticeship courses, a real art school on such important vocations as dressmaking, confectionary, vehicle repairs, fitter, welder, carpet-making, car engine repairs, cosmetologist hairdresser and barber fields and so on conduct the lessons based on the curricula they drafted, evaluate the development perspectives of the apprentices through permanent control and monitoring observations and identify next actions together with the apprentices. Supporting community representatives who obtained vocational skills and are able to start up their businesses brings influence upon the establishment of new job opportunities and jobs in the target area. 

102 youths obtained the Apprenticeship skills they dreamed of in various regions of the Republic during 2006.

 - Only in 2006, 27 youths were supported to start up businesses

Another element of Apprenticeship method that was improved by "Umid” HSSC is to award the most successful graduates with Jump-Start Economic Projects. The main impact of such improvement is to motivate the community and parents to invest in the development of local business. 

In 2006, "Umid” HSSC joined one more coalition – "Struggle against Global Poverty” coalition.