The Economic Research Center and the European Union launch a new project for local Think Tanks in Azerbaijan

On 15 March 2012 the Economic Research Center  in partnership with international partner  PASOS (Public Association for Open Society) and with  local partner Public Union on “Intelligence Citizens” will launch a project “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Government by Strengthening the Role of Think Tanks in Decision-making Arena”  financed by the European Union.
It is a local project that will operate in Baku and in the regions of Azerbaijan (Ganja and Sheki regions) over period of 24 months. The project is initiated by the Economic Research Center in cooperation with the following international partner: Public Association for Open Society and local partner: Public Union on “Intelligence Citizens”.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the voice of local think tanks and their impact on national policy-making by offering capacity building models and integrating best practices of the EU into their work. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to de-monopolizing public policy decisions in Azerbaijan by
•    Building institutional and research capacity of 18 non-state think tanks in Azerbaijan
•    Empowering informed and responsible participation of these Think Tanks in inclusive policy making in the country
According to one of main requirements of the project target group will be selected form non-state Thinks Tanks which work in one of the following policy directions: (1) economic policy and development; (2) social policy; (3) EU integration and eastern partnership; (4) energy security and sustainability. The project will build the capacity of non-state think tanks, develop the competition among policy research institutions, and improve the quality of their participation in policy-making in Azerbaijan.  The institutional and research capacity building of 18 non-state Think Tanks will be undertaken and cooperation between 18 non-state Think Tanks and relevant stakeholders (specifically central government and media) will be established throughout the project.  Within the framework of the project several activities will be conducted with contributions of local and foreign experts such as: capacity building trainings and mentoring, advocacy trainings, exchange of experience with Think Tanks of Eastern Europe and dissemination of the project results on the international level via project’s web page.
For further information please contact: Samir Huseynov, Program Coordinator. Phone: +99412 4651847, E-mail: office@erc-az.org