It was disclosed monitoring results of the “self-support” program
The Economic Research Center ( ERC) is implementing “ Self-support” - the monitoring of implementation of targeted social assistance program and increasing the access of low-income families to employment perspectives” project funded by the Council on State Support to NGOs under the Auspices of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main aim of this project which will encompass Khachmaz and Nizam region of Baku, is to transfer the low income families from passive defense into active defense stage through monitoring the implementation of “ Self-support” program by supporting the state policy in this field and improving its technical-methodical sides.
Within the framework of the project, monitoring was conducted at Khachmaz and Nizami regions and the responsible persons and the families involved to the program were interviewed as well. At the same time, the assessment surveys were conducted among these families and the activity on expansion the scope of “ Self-support” program was fulfilled, its employment stage by stage throughout the country was realized and eventually the advocacy over the policy paper based on the proposals on replacing the program with Targeted Social Assistance was prepared. The outcomes, findings of implemented research and prepared recommendations were presented at the round table meeting organized on August 28, 2013. The event was attended by representatives from state agencies, local and international NGOs, embassies of foreign countries and press as well.
The member of ERC Management Board Dunya Jamalova delivered opening remarks and gave information about implemented project activities. She also said ERC has always kept under attention the Targeted State Social Assistance process that aim to protect the low-income families from poverty in state level since 2006: “ Our proposals were about making transition from targeted assistance into social rehabilitation which was made in 2008. Therefore, we decided to monitor the implementation process of this program and we are thankful to State NGO Council funding this project. Also, we are grateful to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of People for cooperating us in this process. ”
The consultant for Secretariat of the Council on State Support to NGOs Gulsaba Alasgarova praised the project in terms of social aspect and the Center achieved preparing sound proposals on monitoring the social self-support program and studying the world experience.
The chief of social provision department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of People Elnur Sultanov highlighted that the objective monitoring of this program which was implemented in 12 regions as a pilot project was very important for them. He thanked to ERC and the Council for their efforts to implement this project. He also mentioned before starting the implementation of this program the world experience was studied and close discussions with World Bank were held. Additionally, 271 families from 13 regions were involved to this program. Currently, many families from the regions addressed us to benefit from this program.
The chairman of ERC Management Board Galib Bayramov presented the outcomes of monitoring: “ The similar programs are being materialized in several countries such as Brazilia, Mexico, Russia, the USA and others. The aim of “ Self-support” technology is to improve the quality of life of low-income families with children. According to tentative calculations, 300 thousand funds were spent since the inception of program. Additionally, the survey was conducted among targeted 49 families out of 51 in Khachmaz and Nizami regions in order to assess the quality of life of low income families, effectiveness of program as well as the efficiency of the work of social inspects and so forth. It was revealed that 2 families were disqualified from the program due to not spending the acquired funds for program purposes and those funds were taken back. Besides, according to the survey conducted among 30 families from 22 villages of Khachmaz that the cow of 2 families was died due to fever and cow of one family because of poisoning.”
Afterwards, Q.Bayramov disclosed the results of survey conducted among families in Khachmaz and Nizami regions, including presented the proposals and recommendations prepared by expert group. According to the survey, all of the families joined this program on voluntary basis and after joining to this program 2 persons in 49 percent of families, 1 person in 41 percent of families, 3 persons in 8 percent of families, and finally 4 persons in 2 percent of families were provided with jobs. Thus, 67 percent of families spend 3/2 part of their revenues to the food and similarly 23 percent of their revenues, whereas 6 percent expend all of their income. The majority of families, including 37 of them benefited from medical service last month.
The followings are the indicators of quality of life of families: 71,4 % said of them said they are living slightly below of “ medium level”. 10,2 percent said “ below of medium level” and 18,4 percent said they are living just like others. Additionally, 40 families considered that this program relatively helped them to survive from poverty, whereas 8 families mentioned they have fully recovered from poverty, and 1 family stated they program was not helpful. Thus, 34 families underlined that the amount of direct assistances should be increased. At the same time, 40 families considered the need of acquiring microcredits (up to 5000 manats) in low percentages.
Q.Bayramov also mentioned the following proposals:
1. Formation of legal base of “ Self-support” direct social assistance system
2. Establishment of Social Support Foundation
3. Provision of families who successfully accomplished the this program with grants free of interest rates and low percentage microcredits
4. Determining the minimum and maximum level of direct social assistance provided to low income families
5. Compulsory insurance of those low income families who joined to this program and covering the costs of this insurance at the expense of funds allocated for program purposes
6. Property insurance of those families engage in agriculture within the framework of this program.
7. Stipulating before families attend to the management and marketing (preparation of business plan, development of products, market analysis and so forth) trainings who acquired grants twice.
8. Involvement of municipality, community and NGOs to this process.
9. Determination of extra-curricular activities except agricultural related actions and involvement of poor people to these fields.
10. Preparation of success stories on “Self-support” program, posting them at the website of the Ministry, shooting of short commercial trailers on promotion of program and documentary films as well.
11. The coordination of social rehabilitation programs implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of People and other activities implemented by several ministries ( Health, Education and others).
12. Disclosure of information by the Centralized Credit Registry under Central Bank of Azerbaijan Republic about those families appealing for social assistance whether they are having credit liabilities or not.
After the presentation, Q.Bayramov and E.Sultanov responded to the question of attendees.
ERC Public Relations Department