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Azerbaijan

Population (as of 1 January 2023): 10127,100 | GDP per capita (as of January - August 2023): 78,950 AZN (around 4,4081 EUR) | Number of CSOs (as of August 2021): 4,766 | CSOs per 10,000 inhabitants: 4.7 | Registration fee for a CSO (as of September 2020): 15 AZN (around 6 EUR) | Freedom in the World (2023): 9/100 (Not Free) | World Press Freedom Index (2023): 39.93 (151 out of 180 countries)

Overall situation and state of civil society

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In 2021, both positive and negative developments affected civil society organisations (CSOs) in Azerbaijan. From March 2020, a special quarantine regime imposed restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly and Nagorno-Karabakh War with Armenia from September to November 2020 introduced internet restrictions. 

Another important development was the establishment of the Agency on State Support to NGOs (NGO Support Agency) in April 2021, replacing the former NGO Support Council.

In December 2021, two important legislative developments impacting civil society were adopted. Firstly, changes to the Tax Code that entered into force on 1 January 2022 provided for, among other things, an 8-year tax exemption for donations to foundations established by the state that have social and public benefit goals, the requirement to have accounting in place for CSOs who provide consultancy contracts and more detailed information in bank payment orders. Secondly, the new Media Law has led to various discussions in the CSO community, including a fear that the new law could be used to control online media.

Over the course of 2021, CSOs have had more opportunities for cooperation with various state bodies, including through public councils. 

Major developments that affected CSOs in 2021 in Azerbaijan included the following:
  • a meeting of President’s Assistant with 300+ CSOs;
  • a draft Law on Charity discussed in the Parliamentary Committee;
  • the new NGO Support Agency replaced the NGO Support Council;
  • the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) introduced an e-services platform for CSOs; and  
  • the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found violations of the rights of 25 CSOs in Azerbaijan.

Democratisation processes have continued: the government increased the number of state bodies that can issue grants to CSOs, as well as more frequently conducted public consultations with CSOs. The government adopted certain decisions to enable digitalisation of CSOs’ grant registration, service contract registration and donation registration, as well as registration of changes to the registry data (e.g., change of chairperson or board). The CSO Meter Country Report research did not identify any cases of penalties being imposed in 2021 on local or foreign CSOs, including travel bans.  

Despite these improvements, CSOs’ general capacity is still seriously undermined by a permanent lack of funds. Despite the increase in the number of government donors to eighteen, the available grants are still too small in value to ensure CSO sustainability and professional development. The organisational capacity of regional CSOs continues to be weaker than that of those located in the capital, Baku. Also, the permissions from the authorities required for the organisation of public events in the regions interferes with CSO operation.  

The Azerbaijani media’s relationship with CSOs is underdeveloped, and there is lack of interest on the side of the media to cover CSOs activities. However, the public image of CSOs improved during 2021 along with the government’s positive attitude towards CSOs. Successful media coverage through CSO-oriented media such as Civil Society Journal (until 2021), the NGO website (www.qht.az) and NGO News website (until 2021, at www.qhtxeber.az), as well as the online NGO TV channel (www.qhttv.az), which regularly posts videos and news related to CSOs, contributed to this as well. There is also a website, www.qhtfilm.az, which posts films developed by CSOs related to various topics such as youth, social issues, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the disabled. Another important online CSO-related resource is http://ictimaishura.az/ (PublicCouncil.az) with information about public councils, including news, reports, and contacts.

Video story

How does the CSO Meter's comprehensive approach to monitoring help put issues on the government's agenda? Find out more from Mahammad Guluzade, MG Consulting (Azerbaijan):

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MG Consulting

MG Consulting LLC is a registered consulting company in Azerbaijan specializing in non-for-profit law and providing various legal services to its local and foreign clients, including diplomatic missions and international organizations.  MG Consulting is providing technical expertise in improving NGO legislation, legislation related to agriculture and business, including social enterprises. It has extensive experience in providing training, preparing country reports as well as various publications explaining the law in a reader-friendly manner. Besides, it administers a Facebook page and group titled ‘QHT qanunverciliyi’ (“NGO legislation”) with more than 1300 NGO activists and operates a mobile app titled ‘NGO Azerbaijan’.

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