Who are we?  

 "Umid" Support to Social Development Public Union is an independent national NGO of Azerbaijan working to help the marginalized segment of the population, in resolving their basic needs and social problems, improving the education condition, developing communities, creating economic opportunities for the people etc.

Umid launched its activity in a small IDP community in Sumgait area in 1997 with implementation of a small-scale lending project. Umid initiated a reputation for successful performance and innovation with this project and has grown ever since.  

Umid is dedicated to the implementation of training and citizen empowerment. Its projects focus on the development of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Limited Liability Companies, School-Teacher Associations, Community Development Councils (CDC), newly operating local NGOs.  

 

What is our vision? 

We strive to be a pioneering institution specialized responding the international standards and exemplary at developing and empowering Azerbaijani community- based and entrepreneurship institutions. In overall our vision is to see our people developed and self sustaining.

 

What is our mission and goals?

Umıd's mission is to foster solution of social, economic and education problems of vulnerable people.  We try to build the capacity of the community based groups and newly established NGOs to ensure their self-reliance and sustainability; and to develop participation and cooperation levels among institutions, networks and entrepreneurship institutions. We also strive to provide accurate, comprehensive studies and information regarding Civil Society, its programs and activities that will be available for all. Our main goals are: 

 Expand economic and employment opportunities 

               -   Via delivery of BDS (training, consultation, mentoring and coaching), apprenticeship activities,

                  credit linkage activities and networking

  Inspire target communities to ensure their self-sufficiency  

               -    Via developing them to initiate solutions for addressing their social, educational and economic needs

 Increase community literacy

               -   Via involving them to educative and awareness raising activities

 Ensure development of formal and informal institutions 

               -    Via enhancing their organizational, institutional and managerial capacities through sustainable and

                     professional technical assistance

   Assist institutions and communities 

               -    to become transparent, participatory, responsible and self sustaining

What do we do? 

We provide the skills, tools and funds needed to foster social development of the commynity based institutions in terms of effectiveness, financial self-reliance, and sustainability in rendering vital services to their communities. We likewise promote the adoption of accountable and transparent financial and management practices and partner with local and international NGOs and NGO networks to facilitate knowledge sharing and coordination. 

Our governance
Umid is governed by a 5 member Managing Board.  Its management functions are the responsibility of the Executive Director. Umid’s Headquarter is located in Baku, and the organization has 3 regional branch offices located in Sumgait and Ganja cities and Kurdamir region, and 2 branch offices locate in Baku city. Umid employs 58 full-time, 20 part-time staff members and collaborates with a regular team of consultants.  The programming activities are controlled and managed by Programs Director.  Each Branch office is staffed with appropriate administrative and program staff as per programming requirements.  

Regional and International relations:

        -        "Umid" SSD is a member of various local, regional and International NGO Network and Union of NGOs

-        "Umid" SSD is a member of:

-         CIS conference working group on emergency cases

-         Caucasian Network of NGOs working with refugee and IDPs

-         NGO Forum

-         FANGOM

-          "Umid" SSD also participates in various regional projects. Organization implements the Community

            Development and Community Network project in cooperation with UN Association of Georgia within the

            framework of the "Peace and Stability in Caucasus"  project (with the support of DRC and Humanitarian

            Department of European Union)

  Our values 

        -        Respect - we affirm the dignity, potential and contribution of participants, donors,

         partners and staff

-        Integrity - we act consistently with "Umid" HSSC's mission, being honest and transparent in    

         what we do and say, and accept responsibility for our collective and individual actions

-        Commitment - we work together effectively to serve a larger community

-        Excellence - we constantly challenge ourselves to the highest levels of learning and performance

        to achieve a greater impact