According to the Concept of State Support to Non-governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.2288 of July 27, 2007), developing culture and art is among the priority areas of state support for non-governmental organisations. It is essential to reiterate that, according to the Law on Public Participation (No.816-IVQ of November 22, 2013), provisions are made for citizens’ and civil society institutions’ involvement in developing and implementing state policy across various sectors of state and social life. It includes participation in decision-making processes at national and local levels as well as in organising public oversight over the activities of central executive power bodies, local executive power, and local self-government bodies as determined by the relevant executive power body.
The Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which has been operating in the fields of education, health, culture, social development, and other areas since 2004, is the country’s leading non-governmental actor influencing cultural policy. The Foundation actively participates in the preservation, restoration, and use of cultural values and historical and cultural monuments, as well as the implementation of musical projects and the organisation of art festivals and exhibitions.
The Azerbaijan Writers’ Union, the Azerbaijan Composers’ Union, the Azerbaijan Artists’ Union, the Azerbaijan Theatre Workers’ Union, the Azerbaijan Ashiq Union, the Azerbaijan Cinematographers’ Union and the Azerbaijan Architects’ Union are among the most proactive non-governmental organisations in the field of culture. They play a significant consultative and promotion role in corresponding spheres of culture, arts, and areas concerning ethics and cultural rights.
A public legal entity, the Agency of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (№ 1317 of April 19, 2021) based on the previous Council of State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan functioned from 2007.
The new composition of the Public Council under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan was determined to facilitate the participation of civil society institutions in the adoption of legislative acts concerning the Ministry of Culture and to organise public oversight of its activities. The Public Council, comprising representatives from nine civil society institutions, was established through elections held from July 17 to 20, 2023, with the direct participation of non-governmental organisations.
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