The Youth Leadership and Professional Development project implemented by Junior Achievement Azerbaijan in 2019-2021 with the financial support of the European Union, in partnership with UNICEF Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation ended successfully on March 3 with a closing event. The project was implemented in cooperation with Binagadi, Khazar and Mingachevir Youth Houses, Bilasuvar, Gazakh and Shamkir, offices of the Youth Development and Career Center. Along with young people, the event was attended by government officials, representatives of public, private and international organizations.
The event began with an opening speech by Tal Catran, a member of JAA advisory board. In his speech, he underlined the importance of youth entrepreneurship for the economy, particularly during the pandemic. Sevinj Mammadova, executive director of JAA, shared the results achieved during the project implementation period and presented career platform to the participants. The platform is a digital tool developed in local language to provide career guidance and support professional development of youth.
One of the successful activities of the project was the Youth-led Enterprise Solutions. During the event, more than 30 social and business projects prepared by young people were presented and 19 were selected. After the evaluation, the jury approved 7 business initiatives from Baku and 12 from the regions for the seed funding. The scope of the projects developed by youth included start-ups, social entrepreneurship and traditional business, food and agriculture.
UNICEF Representative to Azerbaijan Edward Carwardine said he was impressed by the range and scope of the initiatives presented by the youth, despite the difficulties and challenges posed by the pandemic. During his remarks, he underlined the importance and value that young people play in the society. Mr Carwardine stated:
“It is the young people of Azerbaijan, who will bring the country out of the pandemic period and will write a new chapter in the history of the nation. Only if we work with them today to ensure that they have access to the skills, confidence, opportunities they need to really excel”.
The Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Kestutis Jankauskas, noted that young people of Azerbaijan have a great potential. Supporting youth, their initiatives and business ideas are important for the economic development.
Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan Intigam Babayev spoke about the importance of the skills acquired by young people during the project. Moreover, he shared information about funding opportunities offered by various donor organizations formed in Azerbaijan to support realization of their business ideas.
Farid Jafarov, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, highlighted the commercialization opportunity of the initiatives presented during the event and invited young people to join the Business Marathon implemented by the foundation. He praised the achievements of the project and offered to expand its geography.