GANJA – On May 13, nearly 120 participants gathered to discuss issues regarding community development in Azerbaijan, the progress, challenges, and lessons learned from their experience in mobilizing community resources to implementing community socio-economic development projects. The conference was organized by East-West Management Institute (EWMI) under the Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Government of Azerbaijan.

The participants of the Second Conference on Community Development included representatives of the Ministry of Economy’s regional offices in Ganja, Yevlax and Khachmaz districts; eight local Executive Committees; communities; experts in community development projects; and USAID. Participants gathered to discuss the needs and initiatives required for community mobilization.

Mr. Timothy Madigan, Chief of Party of EWMI, gave remarks where he noted that EWMI has completed 73 projects in 65 communities to benefit nearly 97,000 people by improving electrical supply, rehabilitating roads, constructing medical facilities, and providing access to basic commercial facilities, to name a few. 

USAID Mission Director Mikaela Meredith stressed that the full benefits of the program go beyond the immediate socio-economic needs of the communities. “Through a partnership with EWMI, USAID, and the Government of Azerbaijan, communities around Azerbaijan learn how to build effective and cooperative relationships with different stakeholders in order to address their immediate needs. These are all examples of how communities, civil society, and government can work together to accomplish development goals.”

Conference participants noted the progress in the implementation of community-based projects since the First Community Development Conference held in May 2015 in Ganja. The participants also focused on identifying new opportunities and initiatives for community development in their respective regions around Azerbaijan.

Through SEDA and with support from the Ministry of Economy and the Council for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, EWMI promotes cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and government to advance socio-economic development.