CRRC-Azerbaijan celebrates the winners of the Best Policy Paper Competition

The Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) in Azerbaijan organized a conference to finalize the second round of the project, “Next Generation: Improving Policy Research and Analysis in Azerbaijan”, funded by the OSF Think Tank Fund.

On February 25, 2014 the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) in Azerbaijan organized a conference to finalize the second round of the project, “Next Generation: Improving Policy Research and Analysis in Azerbaijan”, funded by the OSF Think Tank Fund. The event celebrated the winners of the Best Policy Paper Competition organized among fellows, and brought together representatives from state institutions, civil society and international organizations.

The ‘Next Generation’ project targets junior researchers who are interested in policy research and analysis, and teaches them quantitative statistical skills and modern qualitative skills. The project also aims to improve researchers’ writing skills and to teach them the basics of public policy so that theycan carry out policy research and analysis on their own. The ultimate goal of the project is to increase the pool of potential policy analysts in Azerbaijan by drawing talented students into the field, and by changing their perceptions about research and policy-making.

The project implemented in 2013-2014 built upon the success of the first and previous project in 2012. The ‘Next Generation’ project attracted more than 100 students. All participants enrolled in the first stage onlinein March 2013. However, the number of fellows decreased over time. Ten fellows completed all assignments including quizzes and home assignments, and submitted papers for the Best Policy Paper Competition. The Fellowship Selection Committee has selected three of the best papers and has awarded two additional papers with incentive prizes.

The winners are as follows:

First place - Gunay Balashova,  “How to increase the productivity of the agrarian sector in Azerbaijan”

Second place -Zeynab Dadasheva, "Internet usage in the rural areas of Azerbaijan"

Third place -Laman Memmedli,  “How to improve the well-being and living conditions of orphans after age 18”

Incentive prizes were given to Ramil Kazimov for "Why the Supervisory Board of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan Should Be Representative", and to Mahym Alekperova for her paper “Anti-Littering Education in Azerbaijan”.

Yuliya Aliyeva, CRRC Azerbaijan Country Director remarked that, “What makes this project different from other training programs is that we not only teach students marketable research skills, but also create a platform where they can openly assess government policies and provide constructive feedback on how policies might be improved. The idea behind the program is to promote evidence-based policy making in Azerbaijan. We have observed some positive turns in this direction. We are happy to note that the conference attracted representativesfrom government agencies who listened to our fellows and tooknotes. Many representatives approached the fellows during the coffeebreaks to clarify some of their suggestions. This program is a huge achievement for a traditional society where the younger generation is not usually encouraged to speak their opinion in the presence of elders,and because, in general, people feel disempowered to influence current state policies”.