Empowered citizens are a key component of a just and equitable society. Articulated citizens’ initiatives can play a key role as local development actors and as partners in policy dialogue. Strengthening citizens’ participation is one priority area in the cooperation of the EU with its neighbouring countries in the Eastern Partnership as a facilitating step towards the rapprochement with the EU. This is where the present project comes in. It promotes citizen engagement in selected sectors, particularly in the fields of i) climate change and environment, including support to the holding of the COP29, and ii) support to increasing the participation of people living with disabilities, particularly support to victims of landmines. Other potential sectors include iii) promotion of gender equality and iv) youth participation; v) rural and community development (including the promotion of the local economy) and vi) social cohesion.
This project strengthens citizens’ initiatives through trainings and peer learning (exchanges) in the EU’s Eastern Partnership region. Support for studies and projects allows citizens’ initiatives to develop their operational and managerial competences as well as their knowledge in practice through a hands-on approach.
The target group of the Action are the people of Azerbaijan.

The overall purpose of the project is to strengthen citizens in their role as independent development actors in the EU’s Eastern Partnership countries, by supporting their ability to meaningfully engage in policy dialogue and serve the needs of local communities.
The project aims at the following three objectives:
1. Through trainings, peer learning as well as advice, to increase the capacities of citizens’ initiatives and support them in becoming institutionally and financially more sustainable so that they can play an active role in the development of Azerbaijan;
2. To support policy dialogues and exchanges between Azerbaijani citizens and state authorities by, among other, presenting the state authorities with research results prepared by the citizens’ initiatives;
3. To provide financial support and advice to Azerbaijani local citizens’ initiatives to support their local development projects.

1. Citizens’ initiatives’ financial, organisational and operational capacities are improved.
2. Citizens, citizens’ initiatives and other relevant actors enter into structured Public and Policy Dialogue.
3. Citizens and citizens’ initiatives contribute to inclusive and sustainable local development.