INTRODUCTION
The International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) was constituted by a group of journalists and intelligence and registered with the Azerbaijan Ministry of Justice in 1992.
At the end of 80s the collapse of the Soviet Union was accompanied by conflicts on national issues. Conflicts in Baltic States and in states on Dniester, in Chechnya, Georgia and Uzbekistan were the political incidents serving directly for the collapse of the USSR. The conflict over the Nagorniy Karabagh territories starting in February, 1988 initially on national, then on military bases speeded the process of collapse of former Soviet Union. Hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijan were displaced from their homeland; and lives were lost including women and children. Yet with all these there were very little information coming from Azerbaijan to the outside world. Objectivity in reporting the issue was not observed in the global mass media. Therefore these group of friends, under the leadership of Umud Mirzayev, who at that time was head of department in one of the leading Soviet Newspaper - came together to create an organization that would assist in providing objective firsthand information to the global media communities; so, International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) was established.
Since its inception the mission statement of IEPF is “Peace and Home. Peace in the Country. Peace in the World.” The organization started with the support and participation of persons who were from diverse countries like Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, and Latvia. Presently, IEPF has over 100 staff involved in several activities.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL EURASIA PRESS FUND
IEPF achieved the special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) division of the United Nations and is the member of the following networks: European Council on Refugees and Exile (ECRE); Public-Private Partnership Program of US Department of States based on our partnership with the Bureau of Political/Military Affairs, office of Weapon Removal and Abatement; International Peace Bureau and International Press Institute (IPI). IEPF is one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Press Council and the Forum of the Azerbaijan National NGOs,
IEPF works in collaboration with UN Agencies and with local and international NGOs functioning in the regions of Azerbaijan including World Bank, the US Department of States, European Commission, and International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Foreign Missions in Azerbaijan,.
The Fund works primarily in 4 key areas: Media & Civil Society Development; Community Development; Refugees/IDPs Issues; and Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution.
The project “Peace at Home, Peace in the Country, Peace in the World” (1992) that later became the motto of IEPF demonstrated the real position of IEPF as a civil society body.
Later IEPF implemented scientific-practical workshopson the theme “Why I joined the war?” and “Creative intelligence and the war” under the same title with participation of foreign embassies and journalists accreditzed in Azerbaijan
There was organized an international conference in December 1997 in St. Petersburg jointly with Russian Geography Society, St. Petersburg branch of Russian Writers Union, Cultural Academy of St. Petersburg and Azerbaijan-St. Petersburg Cultural Centre within the project “National Issues and Refugees’ Problems” implemented by IEPF and representatives of more than 30 countries participated in the conference.
Acquiring and increasing its international experience and having potentiality with high capacity and practice IEPF started implementation of huge humanitarian projects.
Some of salient projects implemented by IEPF are the followings: “Level One Landmine Survey” (2000-2001), “Multifunctional Inforterminal on NGOs of Caucasus Region” (2001-2003), “The Landmine Impact Survey” (2002-2003), “NATO and the Regional Security” (2002), “The Community Mine Action Team” (ongoing since 2002), “Mine Victims’ Needs Assessment” (EC/2004). During upcoming years IEPF implemented humanitarian projects on development of media and civil society, resolution of refugees and IDPs problems, crisis management and conflict resolution.
The projects “Establishing and Functioning of Azerbaijan Mine Victims Association (AMVA) in 3 Districts of Azerbaijan” (USDoS, WRA /2006-2008); “Monitoring of Grants allocated by the Presidential Council on Civil Society Development to the national NGOs” (Az Gov NGO Support Fund/2008-2009); “Promote Peace in schools where both IDP/Refugee and local pupils are studying” (WB/2009-2011); “Training of broadcast journalists to strengthen quality coverage of climate change related issues” (UNESCO, 2011), “Establishment of Vocational Training Center for the Mine/UXO victims and retired de-miners” (USDoS, WRA/2009-2010); “VTC extension and expansion” (USDoS, WRA/2010-2011) and “Azerbaijan Youth Advocacy Program” (UNICEF, 2011) characterize IEPF wide scoped activity.
IEPF gives high priority on creating opportunities for self-income generation for the disabled and/or the less fortunate, in a period of transition from humanitarian aid to development. For this purpose, in 2007, the National Bank of Azerbaijan granted license to Non-Bank Credit Organization “Avrasiya Kredit” Ltd to allocate micro-credit in Azerbaijan. Avrasiya Kredit Ltd was founded and guided by IEPF with the financial support of the US Government through the Department of State.
Today IEPF is one of the leading NGOs in the region with its head Office in Baku, with influential authoritative partners, experienced personnel potentiality and material and technical capacity.
OUR ACTIVITIES
1. MEDIA & CIVIL SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT
In reporting year IEPF mobilizing the leading media bodies and civil society organizations achieved great successes in this aspect of activities.The media department of IEPF regularly reflected IEPF activities on mainstream media, particularly print Newspapers, and online news media.
Press Freedom issues and the development of media in Azerbaijan has remained a priority for IEPF. IEPF strongly represent the International Press Institute in Azerbaijan through coordinating the activities of the IPI National Committee in Azerbaijan. The IEPF Chairman, Umud Mirzayev is the Chairman of the National Committee. Through his role, IPI was strengthened in the country and this was eminent through IEPF hosting of the IPI Executive Director, Ms. Alison Bethel Mckenzie, and also the Press Freedom Manager, Mr. Anthony Mills in February, 2011. During the visit, IEPF organized visits for the IPI delegation with government, media, and institutions in the country.
In November, 2011, IEPF supported the IPI National committee financially logistically and materially, in organizing the first meeting of National Committee Chairs in Azerbaijan. 7 National Committees (Korea, Germany, Turkey, India, Nigeria, Slovakia, Azerbaijan, were represented in the meeting, which was held to strengthen National Committee and foster good cooperation between IPI Secretariat and National Committee. The Secretariat was represented by the IPI Executive Director, Ms. Alison Bethel Mckenzie, and the officer in charge of membership, Ms. Christiane Klint.
IEPF was able to achieve an agenda through the Baku Declaration, which is to establish an IPI Baku Regional Initiative in Azerbaijan. Mr. Umud Mirzayev was charged to lead the activity of IPI Baku Regional Initiative. According to the mandate provided by this authoritative body, Mr. Mirzayev carries out functions related to IPI membership issues, namely the recruitment of individual media members in Eurasia and post-Soviet countries and identifying potential national committees in the region.
IEPF with a coalition of national NGOs, the Azerbaijan Press Council (APC), Journalists` Trade Union (JuHI) and Democratic Journalists League (DJL) continued to support the project “Ethical journalism initiative – Azerbaijan”. In August 2012, IEPF arranged for the 3 days training on Safety for Journalists reporting on war zones. IEPF staff involved in mine clearance operations made a presentation to the regional journalists on landmines situation, and clearance in Azerbaijan. The main implementing organization is the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
IEPF led the delegation of IPI National Committee, Azerbaijan comprising the Chairman of IEPF and IPI National Committee, Azerbaijan, the head of IEPF programs department, the Chairman of the Azerbaijan Press Council, and the Executive Director of the Azeri Press Agency, (APA) to the 61st IPI World Congress and General Assembly.
IPI National Committee, Azerbaijan under the leadership of the IEPF Chairman coordinates the vetting and selection process for the IPI Free Media Pioneer Award, 2011. And the National Committee-Azerbaijan successfully managed this process. In 2011 the winner of this award was Radio “Kalima” from Tunisia.
The book “Europe: I fight, I win” written by Wilfred Martinsen, the former Prime Minister of Belgium, Chairperson of European People Party, well-known public and political figure was published in the Azerbaijan language by the support of IEPF. Mr. Wilfred Martinsen who was a Prime Minister of Belgium for 12 years was one of the authors of the idea of establishing European Union.
In November 2011, Mr. Andrei Abramov, Chief of NGOs Branch, DESA-ECOSOC made a visit to Azerbaijan by invitation of International Eurasia Press Fund. During the visit he met with Mr. Ali Hasanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Azerbaijan Republic and Chairperson of the Republican Commission for International Humanitarian Aid; Mr. Ali Hasanov, Head of Public Relations at the Presidential Administration; he was at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, at the State Support Council for NGOs under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Youth organization and Azerbaijan National NGO Forum.
Mr. A. Abramov made visits to Terter region of Azerbaijan. He met with Mr. Jeyhun Jafarov, Head of the Local Executive Power and got acquainted with IEPF’s humanitarian activities and projects conducted in the region.
Mr. Jim Clancy, CNN Main Correspondent/Anchor, USA visited International Eurasia Press Fund. Mr. Lutful Kabir, IEPF International Adviser took part in the meeting. Umud Mirzayev gave comprehensive information about the Foundation, its activities and conducted projects. Umud Mirzayev spoke about Nagorniy Karabagh problem, about the expansion of Azerbaijan territories by Armenian military forces. There was held exchange of view point on the state of media, development and challenges of civil society in Azerbaijan. Jim Clancy was greatly interested in IEPF’s projects related to war victims. He highly appreciated the importance of conducting projects in this direction.
IEPF rendered technical assistance to the project “Training of broadcast journalists to strengthen quality coverage of climate change related issues” implemented by the support of UNESCO Azerbaijan National Commission jointly with Press Council of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan National MaB (“Man & Biosphere”) Committee, UNESCO. A supply “Climate changes and ecological stability” was prepared within the frame of the project and published at IEPF’s “Eurasia-press” Publishing House.
During the reporting IEPF was active part of all events organized by State Support Fund for the Development of Mass Media under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Press Council. IEPF as an active member of the Azerbaijan Press Council plays a vital role in the conference held on the “Decriminalization of the Defamation Law in Azerbaijan”.
The Foundation translates and highlights several statements of international media bodies, mainly IPI on press freedom challenges all over the world, including some that happened in Azerbaijan
The “Eurasia Press” division under the media department of IEPF in 2011 published several books, assisted in proof reading and compilation of several documents and participated in local, national and international book fairs.
2. REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS ISSUES
The IEPF conducts activities in close collaboration with UN agencies dealing with refugees and IDPs issues. As the organization whose activities are coordinated by the Republican Commission for International Humanitarian Aid and the organization that is the member of European Council on Refugees and Exiles, IEPF conducts intensive/dynamic activities on researching and resolving the refugees and exiles and IDPs problems. The Foundation continuously collaborates with UNHCR.
In the year under assessment, the IEPF made great attempts to create relationships with foreign refuges and exiles. The challenges those foreign refugees and exiles from Palestine, Iraqi, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and other countries faced were surveyed and documented.
IEPF continued the implementation of the project: “Strengthening and Stimulating Mutual Social Relations between Locals and IDPs Pupils in Joint Schools” financed by World Bank. The project started in 2009 and completed in December 2011. Project was implemented in 34 schools of Baku, Sumgait cities and Absheron district and within 37 small grant projects there were purchased computer sets, sports equipment, musical instruments and other school supplies in total for 204000 $US. Additionally, UNICEF provided some sports equipment to IEPF for distributions as gifts. The project was implemented in collaboration with the Social Fund for the Development of IDPs (SFDI),
In November, 2011, IEPF organized trips to refugees and IDPs settlements in the regions of Terter, Agdam and Fizuli forMs. Kate Been, information officer, USA Embassy to Azerbaijan, CNN Main Correspondent/Anchor, Jim Clancy and National Geography renowned and award winning photojournalists, Reza. Both Jim and Reza were able to visit refugees and IDPs living on the frontline to hear their story firsthand and also to experience their present situation.
As always, this year the IEPF closely participated in distribution of humanitarian aid contributed by international organization for refugees/IDPs, including families with poor circumstances. 3793 families in Terter and Fuzuli regions were provided with various bed sheets, clothes for women, men and children, hygienic sets, textile, mattress, sewing sets, school supplies, gloves, shoes, etc. distributed by Counterpart, USA and Lutheran World Relief Humanitarian organizations.
Representatives of State Committee Dealing with Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons at places, Local Executive Power and community representatives played active role in distribution process. Information on distribution of humanitarian aid was publicized.
The IEPF staff celebrated New Year with 33 refugee/IDP families of Hasangaya village of Terter region in late December 2011. During the celebration ceremony, IEPF distributed humanitarian supplies provided by UNHCR Azerbaijan (shoes, clothes for children, warm apparels, beef, mattresses and blankets) and every family got special New Year packages organized with inner possibilities.
IEPF regularly highlighted information on IDPs’ problems.
Issues related to refugees and IDPs and achieved results were placed in various media outlets, including the ECRE members’ network.
3. PEACE-BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
As in previous years in 2011 IEPF continued its activities on crisis management, peace-building and conflict resolution. Defence of peaceful initiatives in the region and in whole world, resolution of all conflicts through peace is among priority given objectives of the IEPF.
IEPF organizes regular visits of well-known figures, journalists writing on national and military conflicts and intelligence to the territories impacted by war and liberated from occupation. Organization of Ganira Pashayeva’s, Head of Eurasia Collaboration Foundation, Member of the Parliament meetings with the inhabitants of borderline settlements with Armenia, discussions of ways of how to resolve the Nagorniy Karabagh conflict with local population and knowing the people’s opinion on related issues is of great importance.
Media Department of the IEPF relying on international experience earned due to collaboration with leading media organizations of the world in organized two round-tables on safety issues gave necessary advice to journalists on how to report on conflict zones.
IEPF Community Mine Action Team (CMAT) continues to do mine clearance operations in Terter and Goranboy regions of Azerbaijan. IEPF mine clearance operation is directly monitored and coordinated by the Azerbaijan Agency on Mine Action (ANAMA), the state agency mandated with the task. In 2011 the CMAT cleared a total of 1,569000 million sq. meters of land from mines and UXO.
As is always the practice, in 2011 IEPF MRE specialists and CMAT staff implemented Mine Risk Education in communities. MRE specialists and CMAT also conducted Mine Risk Education (MRE) in more than 20 villages of Terter and Goranboy.
As is always, in 2011 appropriate events were organized and conducted on April 4 – International Mine Awareness Day. On that day there was organized a meeting in Gapanli village opposite to the positions of Armenian military forces. Representatives of Terter Regional Executive Power, local government and self-governed bodies, regional educational department, school teaching staff and students, local inhabitants and members of the Azerbaijan Mine Victims Association were part of the event.
The Azerbaijan Mine Victim Association (AMVA), a body created by IEPF for the mine victims of Azerbaijan, in 2011 continued to assist its members. About 15 mine victims were assisted with various problems in the areas of legal, medical, and financial assistance. AMVA executives made several visits to the regions where there are active branches; also outreach meetings were held at Agdam. AMVA also implemented a project with the support of the State Support Fund for NGOs that positively influenced on resolving certain communal problems of mine victims.
4. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
IEPF pays special attention to community development. Main goal were: mobilization the capacity of the community and directing it to resolution of their own challenges; conducting projects publicizing the community units’ priorities; conducting actions supporting the involvement of community members into the organization of their activity and implementation process.
The project “Improvement of Vocational Training Center (VTC) in Tartar through the Construction of
Additional Facilities in Center” implemented with financial support of US Department of States and completed in July 2011 served to the community development in the region. The project aimed to strengthen the activity of the Terter Regional Vocational Centre (VTC), support the community members with provision of job, increase the regional food basket and create new profitable recourses for war victims and members of the community with poor circumstances. Certain activities were conducted in this direction: community based Cooperative Farm was established; new nurseries were planted; VTC Community Farm was expanded through the purchase of additional plots of land; water store with 150m3 size was built. 10 community members were involed into the VTS Cooperative Farm. The project was of great importance for mobilization of community initiative and created possibility to reduce the level of unemployment in the region.
The project “Azerbaijan Youth Advocacy program” implementing with the financial and technical support of UNICEF being started since October 2011 serves to increase the activity and potentiality of regional youth, involve them into the social-economical development processes and through this involvement to direct the youth force to the resolution of community problems.
In order to develop the farm and provide with job more community members a project “Support the Diversification and Improvement of the VTC –Farm located in Terter” was submitted to the Japan Embassy. All through the year, representative of the Japan Embassy made several visit to do on the ground review of the project proposal submitted by IEPF to the Japan Government Grassroots Programs (GPP). By December 2011, IEPF has fulfilled all the requirement of the GPP. It is anticipated that the project would be realized in 2012. If the Project is approved due to the aims of the project there will be constructed an animal store at the Cooperative Farm; necessary agricultural technique and equipment will be purchased; artesian well will be dug and irrigation system will be constructed. New job places will be created for community members; the communities will be provided with drinkable water and their irrigation needs will be met and it will give a push to the development of community in the region in general.
Since May 2011 IEPF have been implementing the project “New Media Program in Azerbaijan” in Terter due to Cooperative Agreement received by the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Aim of the Project is foster free and open access to the alternative Media and Internet information resources and to promote the distribution of online information in local languages and English. The project is still going on. Hundreds of young people benefit from the project. Presently the number of users of Community Information Centre organized at IEPF’s Terter VTC reached 700 people, but the permanent users are more 100 persons. They are mainly members of refugee/IDP families, journalists and students of secondary and higher education bodies
“Avrasiya-Kredit” Ltd constituted by the IEPF created stimulus for and gave a push to development of small entrepreneurship among the community members. In 2011 more than 800 persons with poor life circumstances created their small business due to credits provided by “Avrasiya-Kredit”. In 2011 “Avrasiya-Kredit” received an awarded for best member of Azerbaijan Micro-Financial Association (AMFA) for good activities/services.
In 2011 the VTC in Terter continue to offer vocational courses for the target beneficiaries. 16 trainees completed their courses in the two vocational skill offered. The areas are on carpet weaving, and agricultural practices. At the completion of the training, the participants were awarded certificate during a ceremony that was organized in the month of July, for the visiting Grant Officer Representative (GOR) from the Department of States, the project donor.
During the reporting period various structures that would provide additional services like the car wash and repair center, and the horticulture and plants display shed, were all completed in 2011. All these facilities would employ the community members.
VOLUNTEERISM
Since the inception IEPF has established a volunteer network with participation of foreign and local (from Baku and regions) representatives and the Foundation regularly has efficient cooperation with the network. In 2011 the volunteers were active in the IEPF; they were part of projects and events that has been organized by the body.
Members of the Baku International Students Club (BISC) constituted by the support of IEPF and group of students of the Baku Slavic University regularly collaborate with the organization.
Based on the Memorandum of Understanding entered between IEPF and the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology of the Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany 4 students from the University passed their intern in the IPEF since October 2011.
IEPF gave these students the opportunity to learn the functions of NGOs and civil societies in Azerbaijan observe the various living conditions of refugees and IDPs of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan customs and traditions and also join in the regional activities of IEPF and visited certain historical places of the nation.
International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) Annual Report 2011
