The new law on public participation, which entered into force in June 2014, opened up new avenues for increased engagement by civil society organizations (CSOs) and other interested actors in policy-making and implementation in Azerbaijan. The implementation of this law provides opportunities to further develop Azerbaijani best practices in engaging citizens and CSOs in decision-making. Learning from other countries’ experiences to ensure meaningful and sustained civic participation at the central and local government level is beneficial for Azerbaijan’s successful implementation of the new law. To this end, in September 2014 a group of Azerbaijani government officials and CSO representatives from the Aran and Ganja-Gazakh regions visited Bulgaria to exchange information and explore Bulgaria’s best practices on mechanisms for citizen participation and cooperation between CSOs and government institutions.

Exchange visit participants shared their experiences with the Bulgarian Presidential Apparatus, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the Civic Participation Forum, and other organizations. Their visit to the Child Autistic Center run by the Bulgarian National Autism Association (NAA) was particularly interesting. The Center represents an effective model of partnership between local authorities and CSOs as the municipality funds the Center’s services through a social contract with NAA.

“This study tour gave an opportunity to both countries’ participants to exchange their experiences and ideas”, said Mr. Azay Guliyev, Chairman of the Council on State Support to Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (CSSN).

“Learning about the cooperation of government agencies with CSOs in providing social services and the relevant legislation was very useful for us. Both issues represent challenges in Azerbaijan. We are launching the first steps in this field and the Bulgarian experience will help us to put forward new ideas and approaches, as well as to advance existing practices”, said Alimammad Nuriyev, the Head of Constitutional Research Fund, a member of the CSSN.

“Bulgaria’s experience demonstrates the efficiency of citizens’ participation in managing and making decisions that solve social problems. Definitely, this is a successful model of government”, said Sabina Alakbarova, Executive Director of Young Leaders Education, Training and Development Public Union.

The study tour was organized by the Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) co-financed by the Government of Azerbaijan and USAID. A five-year program that supports public participation in socio-economic development at the regional level in Azerbaijan, SEDA has supported the Council’s work to improve the draft law on public participation.