The British Embassy in Baku sponsors a range of projects aiming at strengthening human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance in Azerbaijan. Embassy funded projects have brought education, skills, knowledge and resources to local non-governmental non-profit organisations and communities.

We liase with the government of Azerbaijan, local and international non-governmental organisations, other embassies and international organisations to ensure effective programmes. The Embassy co-operates closely with bilateral and multilateral donors to ensure that the collective efforts of the international community have maximum impact. The British Embassy’s strategy is based upon our knowledge and experience of the current challenges facing Azerbaijani society. It is focused on

• human rights, democratisation, free and fair elections;
• rule of law, legal reform;
• freedom of expression;
• anti-corruption activities;
• climate change;
• energy security.

To cite examples, the Embassy funded projects on monitoring of the courts, has provided legal services to disadvantaged groups of the population both in Baku and the regions. The Embassy also funds activities that aim to improve the conditions of Azerbaijan’s prison system, specifically the juvenile justice sphere in Azerbaijan and bringing them to the European standards. A special priority for the Embassy is freedom of expression, in particular the problems facing journalists in Azerbaijan.

We also participate and contribute to the international community’s efforts to assist the government in holding free and fair elections. In the past this Embassy has provided technical assistance to the Central Election Commission, funded voter education programs and provided a significant number of observers to monitor the various election campaigns (presidential, parliament and municipal). The Embassy has also provided funding to local election observation organisations to enable them to observe the 2005 Parliamentary elections in every constituency.

To apply for assistance applicants should submit a project proposal on the standard Embassy application form. The form can be downloaded here (Bidding form April 2009 - updated) Guidance of how to fill in the form can be found here. Each application should clearly describe the project’s objectives, implementation methods, expected results and impact on a topic or a problem. A detailed budget breakdown should also be included. Please note that the Embassy will only consider bids of £10,000 Pounds Sterling or less. Any bids larger than this should be submitted to the British Government’s Strategic Programme Fund or Conflict Prevention Fund. All project proposals are considered by the Embassy’s Technical Assistance Committee (TAC), which meets on a quarterly basis.

Should you require further information about our project funding, wish to submit a project for a consideration or are interested in co-funding opportunities please contact the Embassy’s Project Officer Anar.Nagiyev@fco.gov.uk  or write/telephone him at:

British Embassy Baku
45 Khagani street Baku AZ1010
Tel: 497 51 88/89/90