GANJA - Nearly 120 participants attended a conference to discuss the community development process in Azerbaijan, the progress, challenges, and lessons learned in community mobilizing process and in implementing community socio-economic development projects.

The participants of the National Conference on Community Development included representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Industry regional offices in Ganja, Yevlax and Khachmaz rayons, representatives of local Executive Committees from eight rayons, community leaders, representatives of organizations with expertise in community development projects, and representatives of the donor community. Speakers and participants deliberated on the role of community self-governance mechanisms in addressing community needs and initiatives of community-based economic development projects.

In his opening remarks Mr. Timothy Madigan, Chief of Party of East-West Management Institute (EWMI), stressed that the project helps establish and strengthen Community Development Councils for addressing socio-economic development needs. “Together with our partners we plan to fund up to 120 community socio-economic development projects over the course of five years. These projects will include water and electrical supply rehabilitation projects, road renovation, medical point construction and other important projects,” underlined Mr. Madigan during his speech. 

“The skills learned through community development can help communities take a more active position in improving their daily lives. Communities can build efficient working relations with local authorities, the private sector, and with other communities for cooperation that produces mutual gain,” said Mr. Robert Lopez, Director of Program Office, USAID. He noted that 25 community projects supported by USAID to date have improved daily living conditions of over 46,000 Azerbaijani citizens.

The conference identified new opportunities and initiatives for community development in regions of Azerbaijan. 

The conference was organized by the Socio-Economic Development Activity in Azerbaijan (SEDA) funded by the Governments of the United States and Azerbaijan, and in partnership with USAID, the Council for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations and Ministry of Economy and Industry.

Implemented by the East-West Management Institute, SEDA promotes fuller participation of citizens, civil society organizations and local and central government institutions to advance socio-economic development in their communities.