Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Azerbaijan is planning to hold a new grant competition for NGOs from 15 countries.

The Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is supposed to provide funding to support activities falling under the following topics: the shared values of Multiculturalism and Secularism in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan's experience in good governance and e-government, Azerbaijan and First European Games (Baku, 2015), research paper competition about Azerbaijan, creation of information portal about Azerbaijan in applicant's country.

The project will last for up to 12 months except for the topic of creation of information portal about Azerbaijan in applicant countries.

The countries, which are eligible to take part in the project, are the U.S., the UK, Belgium, Austria, France, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Estonia, Italy, Spain and Norway.

The NGO Council reserves the right to appoint monitors to observe project progress. The NGO Council will monitor projects by reviewing progress reports and will perform monitoring visits as frequently as feasible.

The "best and final" proposals will be selected by the NGO Council's Experts' Panel based on highest scores.

The NGO Council was established based on a decree issued by the Azerbaijani President in 2007. Its objectives are strengthening civil society institutions through achieving their sustainable development, encouraging cooperation between the NGO sector and the government, involving national NGOs in the process of addressing of social problems, helping develop international relationship for mutual benefit.

Since its establishment in 2007, the NGO Council is known not only for providing financial support to NGOs /CSOs but also for serving as a Forum for NGOs to raise concerns over Legislation and other matters of social and public importance. The NGO Council serves as an important and helpful mediator between NGOs, the government, and the society at large.