International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) is an independent international non-governmental organization established by a group of journalists from different countries and registered in Azerbaijan in 1992. IEPF works in cooperation with UN agencies, US State Department, European Commission, World Bank, International Press Institute, International Federation of journalists, embassies of foreign countries in the Republic of Azerbaijan, ministries, agencies, as well as local and international non-governmental organizations in the region.
The 5 main areas of activity are:
- Media & Civil Society Development;
- Community Development;
- Refugees/IDPs Issues;
- Peacemaking & Conflict Resolution
- Education.
IEPF, who is a special consultative member of the NGO division of the UN Economic Social Council (ECOSOC), is also a member of the Council of Europe for Refugees and asylum seekers (ECRE), the US Department of State Bureau of Military-Political Affairs, The Public-Private Partnership Program of the arms elimination and Prohibition Department, the International Press Institute (BMI) and the International Peace IEPF is one of the founders of the Press Council of Azerbaijan and The Forum of National Non-Governmental Organizations of Azerbaijan.
Membership in international organizations not only expands the scope of activity of IEPF, but also gives the fund relevant powers. Having gained special consultative status at ECOSOC, IEPF becomes a participant in international conferences convened by the UN General Assembly and other special meetings, issue oral and short written statements based on the guarantee issued by the committee, appoint representatives for participation in the meetings of ECOSOC and its other bodies, it is authorized to consult with officials in the Secretariat on issues of interest to NGOs.
As a member of the International Press Institute, the organization participates in World Congresses and general assemblies held annually by this influential organization, makes proposals and raises issues related to the development of independent media in Azerbaijan.
A private partnership with the Office for the abolition and Prohibition of arms of the U.S. Department of Military-Political Affairs opened a new stage in the activities of the IEPF in the field of conflict resolution, peacekeeping actions and conflictology. Within the framework of this partnership, the organization may underline its partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of military and Political Affairs arms elimination and Prohibition, and prepare articles and publications on the basis of joint authorship with the U.S. Department of State in its publications, cooperation with media organizations and public events. IEPF also has the right to access the database for free use of literature, documents, CDs and DVDs of the administration, sending of all postal requisites, press releases, announcements and general information on general interests.
Membership in ECRE has enabled the IEPF to benefit from the European experience in solving the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, to be a participant in the meetings of this international organization and to use other advantages.
IEPF has done a lot of successful work in the field of development of media and civil society, which is one of the areas of activity. The Fund, which appreciates the role of the press in the formation of civil society and building a legal state, always keeps this area in the center of attention. One of the main tasks of the organization is to save Azerbaijani journalism from politics, to achieve fair and impartial attitude of mass media to the events surrounding it, to bring together members of the media in the solution of Karabakh problem and to provide support of international journalism. To this end, numerous conferences, round tables and meetings were held in the central office of the IEPF.
IEPF has published a lot of books, brochures and booklets reflecting the Karabakh problem, the horrors of the occupation war waged by Armenia against Azerbaijan, the hardships faced by refugees and internally displaced persons, and took an active part in the preparation of documentary films and video materials. In order to collect objective information about Azerbaijan and bring it to the attention of the world community, IEPF organized a series of visits of journalists, intellectuals, people's diplomats from different countries of the world to the conflict regions for more than ten years.
The book "Practical Guide for Journalists" published by the organization of Journalists Without Borders, the book "journalists in dangerous tasks" published by the International Press Institute was translated and published, as well as the book "information book for journalists of Central and Eastern European countries" translated from Russian into Azerbaijani, based on the materials of this book was translated into Azerbaijani based on the materials of this book, a methodical manual "if you want to become a journalist..." was published in Azerbaijani. All these publications are distributed among the media and mass media in Azerbaijan, at the journalism faculties of higher education institutions.
In addition, IEPF published a book "NATO and regional security in the Caucasus" in English and Russian on the basis of the materials of the conference on "Caucasus and regional security" held jointly with NATO in Baku in December 2002. The collection of the main materials of the encyclopedic information book" Alley of Martyrs " was completed. Since 2005, IEPF joined the project of transferring Azerbaijani literature from kryl to Latin script in accordance with the decree of the president of the Republic of Azerbaijan "on implementation of mass publications in the Azerbaijani language in Latin script" and has been publishing a lot of books in its "Eurasia Press" publishing house so far.
IEPF is also engaged in effective conflict resolution, peacekeeping campaigns, conflict and protection of human rights. One of the main tasks of the fund was to study and solve national and military conflicts in the region from the very beginning.
IEPF has implemented a number of projects related to this direction of its activity so far. "Peace at home, peace in the country, peace in the world "(1992)," first level mine clearing survey "(2000-2001)," Mine Action survey "(2002-2003)," NATO and regional security "(2002)," community Mine Action "(continued since 2002)," mine victims ' needs study "(2004)," establishment of mine victims association in Tartar region of Azerbaijan and its activities " (2006-2007) carried out projects and some other projects, conducted dozens of international conferences, seminars. the organization was also a participant and organizer of round tables. Association of mine victims (AMZA) was established in Azerbaijan with the foundation of IEPF in March of 2007 and registered in the Ministry of Justice in July. From July 2007 to July 2008, projects on "establishment of Fuzuli regional branch of AMZA and directing the activity of tartar section" and "establishment of Akstafa regional branch of AMZA and direction of its activity" were implemented with the financial support of the Bureau of Military-Political Affairs of the US Department of State.
The International Eurasia Press Fund carries out successful works and projects in the field of solution of problems of refugees and IDPs, study of migration issues in Azerbaijan. In December 1997, IEPF, which considers the solution of the problems of refugees and IDPs as one of the priority tasks, held an International Conference "national issue and the problem of refugees" in Saint-Petersburg with the Russian Geographic Society, Saint-Petersburg Department of the Writers ' Union of Russia, Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Culture, Azerbaijan-Saint-Petersburg cultural center. More than 30 representatives from more than 100 countries occupied the conference. The resolution adopted by the conference addressed to the UN and the world community, and the main attention was paid to the problems of Azerbaijan. During the conference, the damage caused by the war to Azerbaijan was demonstrated at the exhibitions. In 2001-2003 IEPF with the financial support of the Danish Refugee Council implemented "multifunctional infoterminal” on non - governmental organizations of the Caucasus region" project. In 2002, IEPF together with the Association of Independent Journalists of Georgia participated in the implementation of the project "lobbying the interests of refugees and IDPs".
Approximately 40 percent of the community Mine Action Team under IEPF is made up of refugees and IDPs. The project “development and stimulation of mutual social relations between local/IDP students in Common Schools”, launched in 2009 with the financial support of the World Bank and the Social Development Fund of Japan, will be completed in 2011. The IEPF, which was included in the State Register for exemption from some social deductions and additional taxes, was involved in the process of distribution of humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs by the State Commission on International Humanitarian Aid.
During the period of transition from humanitarian aid to development in Azerbaijan, IEPF has put to the fore the solution of community problems, implementation of projects for the development of entrepreneurial skills among compatriots displaced from their homes. For this purpose, the non-Bank credit Organization "Avrasiya-Kredit" limited liability company established by the organization in 2007 and registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan started its activity in the same year and so far, provided loans to less than 1,200 low-income families engaged in small business.
The project “establishment of vocational training centre for mine victims and war victims in Tartar region of Azerbaijan”, implemented in July 2009 with the financial support of the US Department of State, is of paramount importance in mobilizing community initiatives. Vocational training for mine victims, their family members, retired mine seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons and low-income families will help reduce unemployment among people of this category in the region. The project will continue until December 2010.
In July 2007, IEPF participated in the annual innovative exhibition "strengthening efforts to eradicate poverty and hunger through Global Partnership for development" at the UN Geneva office within the framework of the Millennium Development Program. UN secretary-general, president of ECOSOC, secretary-general of UNESCO, head of NGO division of ECOSOC and other high-ranking officials attended the exhibition. About 30 NGOs from different countries of the world participated in the event. IEPF participated in the exhibition with "successful story" reflecting the achievements gained in the framework of the project "establishment and activity of mine victims association in Tartar region of Azerbaijan", which was implemented with financial support of the US State Department Military-Industrial Affairs Bureau and arms elimination and Prohibition Department.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highly appreciated the participation of IEPF in the innovative exhibition and expressed his views in the opinion book of the organization: "I support your free service to humanity".
IEPF, headquartered in Baku, has become one of the well-known non-governmental organizations in the region due to its international experience, serious and influential partners, competent personnel potential, material and technical base, and has branches in Russia, the Baltic republics, representatives in a number of countries of the world. IEPF has regional offices in Tartar, Fizuli and Agstafa districts. Through these offices, the organization coordinates its goals and objectives in the region.