Azerbaijan, Baku, 3 March / corr. Trend K. Ramazanova/ The United States believes that a strong and active civil society is the basis for democracy, Anne Derse, the US Ambassador to Azerbaijan said on 3 March.
According to the ambassador, the United States wants to assist Azerbaijan in holding independent and fair elections. "I call on non-government organizations to introduce their own projects regarding the elections to commissions," the ambassador said.
The US Embassy in Azerbaijan has announced changes to its Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. According to the ambassador, non-government organizations from the regions take an active part in the project. "We are ready to offer them the kind of support that more established NGOs in Baku have long enjoyed," she said.
The grants will be allocated for the realization of projects for the development of democracy in the country.
Eligible organizations may submit their grant proposals to be considered for funding by the Commission at any time in Azerbaijani and English languages. Suggested topic themes include, but are not limited to: Initiatives for peaceful conflict resolutions; advocacy for Azerbaijan's compliance with international commitments, including in area of democratic reform; protection of human rights: freedom of speech: development of free and professional media and participatory journalism in the country; increasing public awareness in corruption and effective oversight of the government in the budgetary area processes and expenditures.
Additional information about the Program and instructions on how to apply can be found on the Embassy's website at http://azerbaijan.usembassy.gov/demcom2.html
Since 1997, the US Embassy has provided more than $2.4mln in project grants to non-governmental organizations through its Democracy Commission Program.
