CSO SUSTAINABILITY: 4.7

Civil society in Azerbaijan engaged in heated debates in 2012 on various issues, from the role of government in addressing the problems of local CSOs to the allocation of more public funding to CSOs. The government expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with CSOs in the preparation of the Law on Social Order and the Model of Quality Standards and Certification of NGOs.

In July 2012, high-ranking government officials met with around 100 representatives of leading CSOs to discuss ways to simplify the CSO registration process, reduce taxes on the non-governmental sector, and eliminate restrictions on CSOs conducting activities in the regions. Although all of the resulting recommendations were forwarded to the relevant government agencies, no changes have been introduced yet. As a result, CSOs continue to face challenges in registration, funding, and organizational capacity.