Umid HSSC implemented Organizational Capacity Development for RH and FP NGOs project under financial support of US Agency of International Development and World Learning in August-September of 2005.

The project goal is organizational and intuitional capacity building of the local NGOs implementing Reproductive Health and Family Planning project.

Management and Supervisory skills (4-days), Project/Report Writing (4-days) and Financial Management (2-days) trainings were delivered within the framework of the project.

20 representatives of 9 NGOs from Baku, Ganja, Barda, Agdam, Imishli, Mingechevir participated in trainings.
The trainings were arranged in Delfin Otel, Zykh Community Resource Center and BP Business Center.

BTC /SCP Community Investment Program

Save the Children and  Umid HSSC continue their cooperation in sustainable community development under BTC/SCP Community Investment Program (CIP).

The program focuses on capacity development of Community Groups (CG) in the mobilized communities, management of community projects, and support the social-economic problems of the communities.

The project is planned to be implemented from September of 2005 till July of 2006, and cover western regions of Azerbaijan (Yevlakh, Goranboy, Ganja, Samukh, Khanlar, Shamkir, Tovuz, Gazakh and Akstafa).

The project undertakings are the followings:

• Selection of Community Groups developed (Star Community Groups) and having potential to develop

• Application of Organizational Assessment Tool (OAT);

• Participation as an observer in the application of OAT by Star Community and Municipalities

• Apprenticeship courses and Business Development Activities.

Zykh Community Development Initiative

Infrastructure Development

2 micro projects – “Renovation of the Street” in “Sama” community and “Constructing Sunshades in the Kindergarten #288” in “Ulduz” community were completed within the quarter and given to the inhabitants’ use.

From September the project of “Constructing a modern library at school # 116” got started. The goal of the project is to provide for the pupils and teachers with use of the modern library.

Support to Community Initiatives

In the frame of the component of “Support to Initiatives” there were conducted 3 projects – “Computer” courses, “Azerbaijani alphabet in Latin graphic” and “English language” courses.

Computer courses – these courses which got started since June had involved the Community Active Group members, community members and apprentices who had completed apprentices courses. 18 students completed the course in success and were provided with certificates. Now more 18 students were involved in the computer courses.

Latin graphic courses – “Azerbaijani language in Latin graphic” courses got started in the target area to provide for the representatives of the middle aged and elder  of those who live in the target area with fast reading and writing skills in latin graphic alphabet. The course is conducted by the leader of “Birlik” community Ch. Mammadova. The course involved 30 members of the community “Birlik”.

English language courses – youth living in the territory were involved in the “English language” courses project which was presented by “Etimad community”. The courses got started from September.

Economic Opportunities Expansion

Business Development Services

The process of providing trainings and consultations to increase the entrepreneurs knowledge and skills in business field is on-going.

Apprenticeship

In present 29 youths develop their skills in the apprentices trainings on 6 professions (beautician, dressmaker, hair-dresser, barber, painting, mobile phone repair).

15 youths have completed apprentices courses in success on 5 professions and were provided with certificate and suitable initial equipments.

Zykh Information Centre

The centre conducted presentation of Khazar Ecology Monitoring to the community leaders, apprentices, “Youths group” members.

On September 21, 2005 there was organized a visit of the children about 14-19 from the communities to the “Khazar Energy Centre”. The children were informed about how to make use of alternative energy sources.

Education for Development

Donor: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Project goal: A) Improvement of education condition and increase of parental initiative in IDP schools

13 classrooms and 4 community rooms were repaired in 4 IDP schools (Jabrayil region secondary school #5, Shusha region secondary school #10, Fuzuli region secondary school #54 and Lachin region secondary school #21) in Sumgait and presented in the Day of Knowledge for usage.

Opening Ceremony was conducted in Lachin region secondary school #21 on September 15, 2005 related to the Day of Knowledge.



Head of UNHCR/Azerbaijan Office, representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers, Sumgait ExCom, Education Department of Lachin region, as well as municipality representatives participated in the Opening Ceremony.

Regular community meetings and round tables were arranged in the schools for development of Teacher-Parent Associations (TPA).

6 “Conflict Resolution and Holding Negotiations”, “Community Fund Management”, “Needs Assessment and Project Proposal Writing” trainings were delivered to the TPAs.

Working Team was formed for performing network work in monthly coordination meetings covering 21 Teacher-Parent Associations and Community Based Organizations, and Statue of the “Community’s Union” was elaborated.

21 micro projects were submitted based on the bid declared under “Initiative support” component where 17 TPAs and 4 CBOs participated. The following communities were selected by the representatives of NRC, Buta, Sumgait ExCom, Sumgait Education Department, and Sitalchay community invited as the experts:

• Lachin region Gulabird community – completion works in newly constructed schoolroom under the community fund;

• Jabrayil region secondary school #6 (Khudaferin community) – repair of the Community Center;

• Fuzuli region secondary school #40 – Renovation of the environment, repair of the school fence;

• Kimyachilar-3 community – organization of “Skilful hands” circle.

B) Vocational capacity building of IDP youth through apprenticeship method

37 IDP youth populated in Sumgait are receiving on-the-job training on 11 trades (hair-dresser, barber, mobile phone repair, welder, dress-maker, auto-metal craftsman, drawing, photo-video).

C) Logistical support to UNHCR assistance programs to refugee and IDPs in Azerbaijan

Humanitarian relief items sent by Lutheran World Relief warehoused by UNHCR. Currently, division and distribution of donation items are under discussion with UNHCR. In accordance with agreement received from the cabinet of Ministers, relief items are planned to be distributed in the areas densely populated by refugee and IDPs since December of 2005.
 

Care and Support to the asylum-seekers/refugees

Donor: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Project goal: Vocational capacity building of asylum-seekers in Azerbaijan through apprenticeship method, and providing them with non-food relief items

25 youth started on-the-job trainings in May had already completed the courses. These youth from Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran acquired knowledge and skills on 10 trades (tailor, barber, hair-dresser, confectioner, cosmetology, plastic door & window, video-operator, auto-metal craftsman, mobile phone and household things repair).

The youth completed the courses and willing to start up their business are planned to be provided with business consultations.

Alongside with apprenticeship courses, 16 refugee youth acquired computer skills. The youth completed computer courses were awarded with certificates with the participation of parents, the apprentices and their parents provided their suggestions.

Effective Usage of Energy and Improvement of Access to Alternative Energy Sources - Energy Bus

Donor: BP, OSCE, International Finance Corporation, Eurasia Fund

Project goal: Demonstration on effective usage of energy resources by the population

32 community demonstrations were organized in Goranboy and Samukh communities in July-September to improve the project implementation and raise its impact.

The demonstration participants were informed about working principles of alternative energy technologies, safe and effective usage of energy and insulation through demonstration of sections within the Energy Bus, and working models of the technologies outside of the Bus were demonstrated to them.

The project focuses on providing trainings and instructions to the public entities like schools, kindergartens, community centers, i.e. trainings are being provided to the schoolchildren of 9th-11th forms having learned “Electricity” chapter in Physics. Trainings were provided in 4 secondary schools (Goranboy region Eyvazlilar and Nadirkend communities, Samukh region Hajialili and Ahmadbayli communities) on the topic of “Safe and effective usage of enegy, Save on energy”.



32 entrepreneurs and businessmen were provided with consultations on installation and repair of micro HES, biogas unit, solar panel and sawdust heater.


Success story

Successful start

Inhabitant of Duz Girigli village of Tovuz region Uncle Arif could not imagine that he would be able to install a wind generator, which he knew from the press and TV, and dreamed always, in his courtyard. After he acquired the booklets from his relatives in Baku, his wish of realization of this idea strengthened.

That is, Uncle Arif’s wish increased after Gunduz’s conversation with him about the Energy Bus demonstration in Baku. Uncle Arif asked Gunduz several times to contact with Energy Bus project personnel, and invite them to the village as a guest. Hearing about that the project started to be implemented in Ganja approached to the project personnel.

After this approach the project personnel visited Duz Girigli village. Uncle Arif could not hide his excitation and joyfulness when he saw the visitors of the village in his own courtyard. He showed the materials and supply required for installation of the generator which he collected, and spoke about how he would install them: “As I heard this project started not a long ago. When the information about this project is disseminated all over the Republic, amateurs like me will be willing to acquire these technologies. And this will solve energy problems of the people partially. I wish you success in your work!”.