Economic Research Center

Economic Research Center

Annual Report 2009

Baki, Caspian Plaza, March 11, 2010

Programs Resources Products Donors Partners Finance Achievements Challenges Future plans

Structure

ERC is dedicated to strengthening ERC is dedicated to strengthening participatory governance and overall economic participatory governance and overall economic growth. ERC’ mission is to nurture the growth. ERC’ mission is to nurture the economic growth and improved administration economic growth and improved administration practices throughout the country, especially inpractices throughout the country, especially in

areas of participatory democracy amplifying areas of participatory democracy amplifying the voices and opinions of lower government the voices and opinions of lower government tiers and ordinary people. tiers and ordinary people.

Our Mission

ERC’s vision is of effective and sustainable civic engagement in all levels of public administration and thus more citizens’ access to the related information through building favorable interactions between the government and civil society.

Strategic Goals

ERC is in the pursuit of policy environment change via the following roles:

o ERC is a policy research organizationo ERC is a convenero ERC is a preferred reference pointo ERC is a whistle-blowero ERC is a bridge between knowledge and

policy

Economic Research CenterWhat is ERC?

The Center’s major research dimensions cover the issues on popularizing the economic and business knowledge in the society, enhancing transparency and accountability, public participation and decentralized governance issues. The research dimensions are grounded in the following fundamental belief:

o That the Effective teaching Methodology should entail a holistic That the Effective teaching Methodology should entail a holistic approach to education issues, whether in economic field or approach to education issues, whether in economic field or otherwise, which can go far beyond conventional method otherwise, which can go far beyond conventional method teaching teaching

o That the new public management under decentralized That the new public management under decentralized governance should be based on inclusive policies and governance should be based on inclusive policies and transparency transparency

o That it is vital to keep people aware of evolving issues of That it is vital to keep people aware of evolving issues of nationwide interest or concern to ensure timely accountability on nationwide interest or concern to ensure timely accountability on the side of public officials the side of public officials

o That it is the indication of state policy on effective expenditures That it is the indication of state policy on effective expenditures in the field of social oriented market economy, social in the field of social oriented market economy, social maintenance and social protection maintenance and social protection

Economic Research CenterResearch principles

“ “ Budget Transparency and Budget Control” program ( 2004-Budget Transparency and Budget Control” program ( 2004-ongoing). The project is supported by Oxfam Great Britain and ongoing). The project is supported by Oxfam Great Britain and Open Society Institute’s Assistance Foundation. In the first phase Open Society Institute’s Assistance Foundation. In the first phase of the program, the monitoring and analysis of funds allocated for of the program, the monitoring and analysis of funds allocated for initial health care from state budget through increasing budget initial health care from state budget through increasing budget transparency has been conducted. The second phase of the transparency has been conducted. The second phase of the program aims increase awareness and interest among various program aims increase awareness and interest among various groups of society towards budget through publications ( “ The groups of society towards budget through publications ( “ The budget guide of citizen”) concerning the budget. budget guide of citizen”) concerning the budget.

“ “ Support to Economic Education” Program ( 2004-still Support to Economic Education” Program ( 2004-still continues). The project aims at promoting active economic continues). The project aims at promoting active economic education methods and increased teaching quality at schools. education methods and increased teaching quality at schools. Financed by CEE and held in various regions across the country, Financed by CEE and held in various regions across the country, the annual workshops involve teachers to develop their skills in the annual workshops involve teachers to develop their skills in teaching of economics. teaching of economics.

Economic Research CenterRecent research and initiatives

“ Alternative Inflation Rate and Model Development” project has been launched since 2009. The project is financed by the Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Co-operation ( SECO). One of the main project directions is to build econometric model for forecasting of inflation and measuring impact level of factors influencing to inflation level in Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, carry out observations of changes occurred in consumer price index in 22 regions.

“ Strengthening Local Self-Governance in Azerbaijan” program. The project acquired financial support from Oxfam ( Great Britain) and ICCO ( Holland) organizations. The aim of the project is raise trust of communities toward municipalities, improve the position of municipalities in dialogue with government and attain enhancement of municipalities through increasing financial resources in Azerbaijan.


“ Evaluation of Impact of State Budget Expenses On Social Field from Macroeconomic Equilibrium Perspective” project. It has been launched since 2009 and financed by the Civil Society Project of Counterpart Organization and Open Society Institute’s Assistance Foundation. It has been started to analyze social related state budget expenditures. Furthermore, essence, efficacy of pension reforms and their impact on pensioners implemented in the country has been researched.

“ Household Budget Survey Methodology Development” project ( 2008-2010) implements with financial assistance of USAID and organizational support of Counterpart and World Learning organizations. The main activity carried out within the project has been survey among 3 thousand households. The survey aimed evaluation of access possibilities of population to social services. The project will serve for strengthening of Azerbaijan state’s poverty reduction and regions development program strategy, as well as methodological development of household budget survey.



““Dutch Disease in Azerbaijan: A Disease After All?” is a Dutch Disease in Azerbaijan: A Disease After All?” is a researched based project financed by US Department researched based project financed by US Department of State. The project has been implemented by the of State. The project has been implemented by the University of North Carolina and Economic Research University of North Carolina and Economic Research Center. Impact of the “ Dutch Disease” on Azerbaijan Center. Impact of the “ Dutch Disease” on Azerbaijan has been researched within the project. Moreover, a has been researched within the project. Moreover, a special survey has been conducted among business special survey has been conducted among business parties operating in Azerbaijan. More than 500 parties operating in Azerbaijan. More than 500 enterprises participated at the survey. The survey enterprises participated at the survey. The survey results were presented on December 10, 2009 at the results were presented on December 10, 2009 at the University of North Carolina. University of North Carolina.

“ “ Agricultural Input Market” launched since 2009. The Agricultural Input Market” launched since 2009. The project has been financed by Oxfam Novib. Current project has been financed by Oxfam Novib. Current condition of agricultural system of Azerbaijan has been condition of agricultural system of Azerbaijan has been researched through statistical analyses and economic-researched through statistical analyses and economic-mathematic methods within the project.mathematic methods within the project.

Advisory Board

M anagem ent Board

Chairm an

O ffice for Research P lanning and Coord ination

M acroeconom ic Policy and Researches

Public finance and state budget

Local Finance and M unicipality Budget

Quality Contro l

Hum an R esources

External Com m unications

Public Relations

M onitoring G roup

Adm in istrative O ffice

Management Structure

Accounting Policy

Rules on Public Relations

Quality Control Standards

Rules on Human Resources

Rules on External Relations

Communication strategy

Policy and Rules

Economic Research CenterInformation resources

ERC has rich and reliable information ERC has rich and reliable information base. The major part of this base is base. The major part of this base is formed through Center’s own researches formed through Center’s own researches (outcomes of statistical observation for 3 (outcomes of statistical observation for 3 years on Consumer Price Index within 22 years on Consumer Price Index within 22 regions, conducted survey among 3000 regions, conducted survey among 3000 households, including conducted survey households, including conducted survey among 300 business firms for the aim of among 300 business firms for the aim of learning affects of global financial crisis learning affects of global financial crisis to the business sector). to the business sector).

Economic Research Center Public Discussions

ERC has held 9 conferences( including 1 international conference), 9 round table discussions, 12 presentations and public discussions, 2 seminars and trainings and 1 radio debate. Over 30 local and foreign specialists, as well as representatives of international organizations and foreign embassies, including roughly 15 Mass Media took place.

Department on public affairs of ERC Department on public affairs of ERC divulged 14 press releases. The opinions divulged 14 press releases. The opinions and interviews of ERC experts in different and interviews of ERC experts in different matters elucidated between 70-80 times matters elucidated between 70-80 times in a month at mass media. At the same in a month at mass media. At the same time 9 informational bulletin related to time 9 informational bulletin related to ERC’s activities was published in two ERC’s activities was published in two languages ( Azerbaijan and English) and languages ( Azerbaijan and English) and including 7 editions of “ Expert” magazine including 7 editions of “ Expert” magazine has been published and distributed has been published and distributed among partners. among partners.


EventEvent 20072007 20082008 2009 2009

ConferenceConference 1111 1111 99

Round Table DiscussionRound Table Discussion 22 66 99

Presentations and public Presentations and public discussionsdiscussions

33 1010 1212

SeminarSeminarss and trainingsand trainings 77 5050 22

Press ReleasePress Release 55 1818 1414

Radio/TV Radio/TV talk shows and talk shows and debatesdebates

1515 33 33

““Ekspert” Ekspert” magazinemagazine 1111 1010 77

Newsletter Newsletter 33 1212 99

Economic Research CenterPublic affairs

Press Release

14

Presentation & public discussion

12

Conferences

9

Round tables

9

Training & Seminars

2

Economic Research Center Publications

Economic Research CenterInformation Bulletins

Economic Research CenterParticipation on International

Conferences December 05, 2008 – January 06, 2009,December 05, 2008 – January 06, 2009, USA Laurence, MississippiUSA Laurence, Mississippi, , KKansas ansas

UniversUniversityity JanuaryJanuary 11– May23 11– May23,, 2009, 2009, USAUSA ChaChapel Hill, pel Hill, UniversityUniversity of North Carolina of North Carolina March March 06-11 2009, Philippines, Manila, 06-11 2009, Philippines, Manila, Conference of ADBIConference of ADBI March March 23-29 2009, T23-29 2009, Turkeyurkey, İstanbul, Soros Fo, İstanbul, Soros Foundationundation –NY office –NY office July July 20 - 20 - AugustAugust15 2009, B15 2009, Buullgariagaria, , Open Society Institute Fellowship Open Society Institute Fellowship

programprogram October October 22-23 2009, T22-23 2009, Turkeyurkey, İstanbul, NATO , İstanbul, NATO advanced research workshop advanced research workshop October October 24-25 2009, Ukrai24-25 2009, Ukrainn, Lvov, PASOS , Lvov, PASOS annual conferenceannual conference October October 29-30 200929-30 2009,, RomaniaRomania, Bu, Bukharestkharest, , Blacksea NGO ForumBlacksea NGO Forum November November 16-17 2009,16-17 2009, Belgium, Belgium, Brussels,, Eastern Partnership NGO Forum Eastern Partnership NGO Forum November November 16-8 2009, 16-8 2009, CCanada, Montreal, anada, Montreal, Publish What You Pay annual Publish What You Pay annual

conferenceconference December December 05-11 2009, 05-11 2009, USAUSA ChapelChapel Hill, Hill, University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina December December 18-21 2009, 18-21 2009, KazakhstanKazakhstan, Almat, Almatyy, NUPİ , NUPİ seminarseminar..


Recommendations

Inflation Calculator

It is possible to It is possible to calculate calculate Consumption Price Consumption Price Index with the Index with the inflation calculator inflation calculator individually. List of individually. List of goods and comparison goods and comparison period are chosen for period are chosen for it. The result shows it. The result shows inflation rate of goods inflation rate of goods used at the chosen used at the chosen period. period.

Economic Research CenterPartners

ERC is the member of Publish What You Pay, PASOS, CİVİCUS, ENTO, ALDA and Black Sea Ngo Forum. The Center is one of the establishers of local civic public coalitions, such as National Budget Group, Call for Health NGO Alliance, Municipal Alliance, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and Global Call To Action Against Poverty Azerbaijan National Coalition.

Municipality Tax Calculator

With the help of

municipality tax calculator each person could calculate local taxes as land and property taxes, field taxes of local importance on construction materials paid to municipality budgets.

Economic Research Center Donors

Challenges

Limitation of participation in state programs Weakness of partnership opportunities with private

sector Existence of problems in development of Civil Society Lack of human and financial resources Lack of journalism professionalism on writing economic

articles Difficulties on placing information about ERC’s

researches at electron Mass Media websites and telecasts due to their dependence from political power

Several conservative governmental officials avoiding from open discussions and debates with ERC experts

Persecutions on to journalists and mass media structures who disseminate independent information

Economic Research CenterAchievements

References to ERC’s research outcomes are being References to ERC’s research outcomes are being increased ( for instance: The Economist, Financial increased ( for instance: The Economist, Financial Times, CNN, AlJaazera etc. ) Times, CNN, AlJaazera etc. )

External relations are being expanded (ENTO, External relations are being expanded (ENTO, Chatam House, WTTN etc.) Chatam House, WTTN etc.)

Cooperation with diplomatic structures, international Cooperation with diplomatic structures, international organizations, civic society institutions, including organizations, civic society institutions, including Mass Media has been broaden; Mass Media has been broaden;

Relations with academic spheres, universities and Relations with academic spheres, universities and research institutions are developingresearch institutions are developing

Opportunities on cooperation with state bodies and Opportunities on cooperation with state bodies and as well as influencing to political decision making as well as influencing to political decision making are being increased are being increased

Economic Research CenterFuture Plans

Expansion of economic and Expansion of economic and commercial activitiescommercial activities

Appeals for state tendersAppeals for state tenders Focusing more on research initiatives Focusing more on research initiatives

and programsand programs Increase the quantity and quality of Increase the quantity and quality of

intellect products intellect products Establishment of bilateral ties with Establishment of bilateral ties with

world analytics centers world analytics centers

Baku, Azerbaijan AZ1065Jafar Jabbarli 44, Caspian Plaza 3, floor 9

Telephone: (+99412) 437 32 30Fax: (+99412) 437 32 40web-site: www.erc-az.orge-mail: [email protected],

[email protected]

Thank you for attention

Economic Research Center

Documents

Transcript of Economic Research Center