The second phase training for replicating the Kudumbashree Model of poverty alleviation in Azerbaijan started in September 2018. The two week training is being extended under the leadership of Kudumbashree NRO which was recognized by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, to provide support to other States in their poverty eradication efforts. Government of Azerbaijan had shown interest on Kudumbashree's organisational structure as well as in Micro Enterprises ad vulnerability studies and had approached Kudumbashree Mission during October 2017. As per the request, a group of officials from Kudumbashree had visited Azerbaijan and extended first phase training.It is on continuation with that the second phase training is being initiated.

The training for forming womens groups in Neighborhood group model in connection with the Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP) was extended during the first phase. Training was given for the AZIRP officials for conducting activities related to micro savings and for keeping the cash accounts. Along with the AZIRP officials, Kudumbashree officials has visited different centres in Azerbaijan and had given training classes. Based on the first phase training women groups had already been started in Azerbaijan. In the second phase, training will be extended for giving loans on the micro savings section and for starting micro enterprises i the livelihood development section. For this, two representatives from TREE Society (Training Resources for Enabling Enterprises Society) that offers business management training for rural micro-enterprises and producer companies to improve their profitability and viability, which extends training to Micro Enterprises Consultants is giving leadership for the training programme started at Azebaijan from 7 September 2018.

It was in 2012, that Kudumbashree Mission was recognized as a National Resource Organisation (NRO) by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to provide support to other States in their poverty eradication efforts. Kudumbashree NRO provides technical support to partner- SRLMs in collaborating the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI ) and Community Based Organisations (CBO) activities and micro enterprise development activities for the livelihoods. Presently, Kudumbashree NRO works in 18 states.

Kudumbashree Mission's Contributions for replicating the Kudumbashree Model of poverty alleviation in Azerbaijan has been felicitated by the Government of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan Rural Women's Association, the apex body of the Women Development and Enterprise Groups set up under the project had won an award from Government of Azerbaijan for their work. It was during that occasion the contributions of  Kudumbashree Mission was mentioned.

As part of adapting Kudumbashree model in Azerbaijan and for conducting a scoping study, officials from Kudumbashree Mission had visited Azerbaijan during March 2018. And later, the second phase training was also extended during September 2018. The training was extended under the leadership of Kudumbashree NRO which was recognized by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, to provide support to other States in their poverty eradication efforts. Government of Azerbaijan had shown interest on Kudumbashree's organisational structure as well as in Micro Enterprises ad vulnerability studies and had approached Kudumbashree Mission during October 2017.

The training for forming women's groups in Neighborhood group model in connection with the Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP) was extended during the first phase. Training was given for the AZIRP officials for conducting activities related to micro savings and for keeping the cash accounts. Along with the AZIRP officials, Kudumbashree officials visited different centres in Azerbaijan and had given training classes. Based on the first phase training women groups had already been started in Azerbaijan. In the second phase, training was extended for giving loans on the micro savings section and for starting micro enterprises in the livelihood development section.

Kudumbashree's international partnership with Azerbaijan is making fruitful results. During 2017, Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP) team visited India to study various models of livelihood promotion for women groups as they wanted to start a pilot project of ‘women’s activity group formation’ for inclusive economic empowerment. After ascertaining that the ‘Kudumbashree model’ of livelihood promotion and women empowerment has the larger scope of convergence in their country, they invited Kudumbashree Mission to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan Rural Investment Project (AZRIP) aims at developing the basic infrastructure in the rural areas. Further project envisages development of economic activities and livelihood programmes.

Shri. Sebastian Molineus, Regional Director, World Bank had shared a note through his twitter handle after visiting Massaly of Azerbaijan which itself could be considered a measure of the success of the project. (Twitter Post)

During 2018, a four member team from Kudumbashree went to Azerbaijan for the initial scoping study and to provide a 10 day training. Kudumbashree aimed at training the master trainees of AZRIP project, who in turn will train the interested women entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan. Kudumbashree's team visited different places in Azerbaijan including Separadi in Massaly, Chakrili in Lankaran and Gysa in Balakan and understood the field reality and needs and framed the training as per requirement. The master trainee team were given classes on ‘Kudumbashree Model’, Neighbourhood groups, activity groups, livelihood promotion methods and on women empowerment activities. 16 people including the community mobilisers of AZRIP project and livelihood specialists took part in the workshop as master trainees. During the time of initial training itself, 56 women came forward to form 4 Activity Groups. Also there are 38 groups comprising 500 women in 15 districts and they have 120 micro and small businesses. ARWA has won two awards from the Small and Medium Business Development Agency and the State Committee for Women, Family and Children's Affairs for supporting women entrepreneurs.

It is a moment of pride for Kudumbashree that our team is capable of framing a training programme at any place in the world after assessing the country’s requirements and are able to provide the required assistance/ support/ knowledge to ensure continuity and growth. The Azerbaijan Rural Women's Association’ is the network of ‘Women Development and Enterprise Groups’ in the country. When they bagged an award from Government of Azerbaijan for their activities, Kudumbashree's contribution was also mentioned.