Projects

To promote sustainable growth by expanding access to technologies and knowledge, and to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, the Agency cooperates with international organizations such as the ILO, UNFPA, UNDP, ISSA, ESN, and others.

Cooperation with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The third component of the joint project of UNFPA and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, “Building Society for All Ages: Promoting Wellbeing of the Elderly Persons in Azerbaijan through Active Ageing”, was implemented by the DOST Agency.

The activities of this component focused on enhancing the participation of older persons in new social initiatives and expanding access to innovative social services. Key objectives included:

Providing counseling services for older persons on all areas of social protection and social security;
Educating and empowering older persons to use new technologies effectively;
Ensuring access to up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on long-term care opportunities and services;
Utilizing the advisory and consultancy capacities of older persons based on their institutional knowledge and intellectual memory.

As a result of the project:

More than 19,000 individuals were reached;
46 older persons shared their experiences with youth through interactive formats such as video tutorials and webinars;
1,000 young participants received certification;
1,050 older persons received home-based ICT training;
Over 100 older persons took part in leisure activities;
A range of electronic and printed training and information products were developed.

Cooperation with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Azerbaijan

The first “Inclusive Art School” in Azerbaijan was established within the joint project of UNDP Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan, “Addressing the Rights and Well-being of Women with Disabilities and Veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict”. The school operates on the premises of the 4th Baku DOST Center.

The project aims to support the Government’s efforts to uphold rights, promote dignity, and ensure inclusiveness and accessibility, with a specific focus on women with disabilities and veterans of the Nagorno-Karabakh war, through a series of interrelated activities.

To ensure the sustainability of the project, the DOST Center provided PR and organizational assistance, mobilized volunteers for school activities, and contributed technical and utility support.

Cooperation with the International Social Security Association (ISSA)

“İSSA Recognition Program”

To improve service delivery to citizens and internal procedures, the DOST Agency has joined the ISSA Recognition Program.

The evaluation of the Agency was carried out in accordance with the Service Quality Guideline (Service Quality Workbook, 2019 edition), which contains 27 guidelines and more than 100 sub-guidelines. The expert assessment of the Agency was conducted via the “MySpace” platform. All indicators required by the Guideline were successfully met, and the Agency was awarded the Certificate of Excellence for Service Quality.

“ISSA Good Practice Award 2022”

In 2022, DOST Agency applied for the "ISSA Good Practice Award 2022", presented within the framework of the Regional Social Security Forum for Europe, with three submissions and achieved the following recognitions:

Certificate of Merit – “For Life with Dignity and Equal Rights”
Certificate of Merit – “Citizens’ Satisfaction Monitoring System of DOST Agency”
Attestation – “DOST: Social Protection for 65+”

Cooperation with ADA University

In order to establish mutually beneficial relations, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the institutions on 21 January 2021. Based on the agreement, activities such as training, teaching, practice, research, international recognition, and the implementation of joint projects are carried out to strengthen cooperation between the public sector and the University, making use of the existing infrastructure and expert resources of both the University and the Agency.

Cooperation with European Social Network (ESN)

Since March 2021, the DOST Agency has been a Council Member of the European Social Network (ESN). The mission of ESN is to promote the exchange of knowledge in the field of public social services, including health, education, employment, and social inclusion, with the aim of benefiting people and communities through improved policies and practices.

From the outset, the Agency has closely cooperated with ESN and submitted various proposals for strategically important discussions as a Council Member. The Agency actively participates in ESN’s events, conferences, and international dialogues on social security services, both to promote the DOST Concept and to strengthen social protection by learning from other countries’ experiences.

In addition, the Agency regularly participates in the “European Social Services Award” competition organized by ESN and has achieved the following distinctions:

Finalist of 2020 – application on the “Life with Rights and Dignity – more than Life”.
Winner of 2021 – in the nomination of “Technology Tools” for the application of a smart model in social service delivery to citizens.
Finalist of 2021 - in the nomination of "Outstanding Team".
Finalist of 2022 - in the nomination of "Research project".

Cooperation with International Labour Organization (ILO)

Cooperation between local representatives and foreign experts of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the DOST Agency began in September 2020, with joint participation in various meetings and events. At present, the ILO and the DOST Agency are engaged in discussions on the peer review of DOST services and issues related to mediation.