849 consumer advocates trained, 33 municipal
development plans, 20 young-consumer clubs established, 5 new
consumer advice centres, and 1 set of recommendations on national
legislation - CI's Azerbaijan project in
numbers.
Consumers International's work in Azerbaijan reached completion
in 2011. This EC-funded project helped to empower municipalities to
better serve their constituents in relation to social and
environmental rights. There were a number of ground-breaking ways
in which this was achieved:
New consumer advice centres
Opening five well-functioning Consumer Advice and
Mediation Centres (CAMCs) in the Mugan region, with fully
trained regional staff, who are able to provide access to
information and mediation services to help resolve local disputes.
Each CAMC houses a database which registers socio-economic data of
the local population.
Due to widespread media coverage, the local
population has been made aware of the five CAMCs, and actively
visit them to seek advice on a variety of consumers' queries and
mediation. Before this project, this region did not have any
establishments where the local population could go to be listened
to, be advised on a wide range of matters, or to ask for mediation
services. Therefore, these five CAMCs have become the most
appropriate places to obtain free informational and mediation
services.
33 municipal development plans
The elaboration of 33 municipal development plans, which were
developed after consultation with the local population to ensure
that local needs were reflected. The collected socio-economic data
provided a substantial basis to reflect these needs as close to
reality as possible. These plans have been submitted to the
government so that they can be included in its national development
and investments plan.
Research paper
The submission to the government of a research paper which
provides recommendations towards improving the national legislative
framework on municipalities and which draws lessons from
international experience with a view to harmonise national
legislation with the European Charter. So far, the government has
been receptive to the paper. The President has explicitly
acknowledged the role that municipalities should play in promoting
consumer rights and tackling consumer problems.
20 young-consumer clubs
The establishment of 20 young consumer clubs in schools in the
Mugan region. The clubs' main objectives are to raise young people
as educated and responsible consumers, aware of responsible
consumption in the local and global contexts.
5 key publications
Producing five key publications supporting work in the consumer
education area, which included the adaptation in Azeri of UNEP's Youth Exchange Kit on Responsible
Consumption.
849 representatives
Training 849 representatives of municipal authorities and other
stakeholders on issues relevant to their work such as the promotion
of consumer rights, municipalities' rights and responsibilities,
municipal budget management, public civic engagement, etc.
For more information, please contact: Mr Eyub Huseynov, ICU
Director, Tel/Fax +994 12 441 28 33, www.consumer-aib.com,
eyub@consumer.baku.az, consumer.az@gmail.com