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For Peace and a Market Economy in the South Caucasus (Subregion South Caucasus)

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom began working in the South Caucasus in 1996 with political and publicity activities in Azerbaijan. Since 1998, the Foundation has conducted a continuous dialogue with participants from three countries in the South Caucasus region. In 2002, the area of activities expanded to include Armenia and Georgia.

Help during the Transformation Process

The objectives of the Foundation’s activities have always been to assist the transition towards democracy, the rule of law and a market economy. Through political advice, education and dialogue, the Foundation helps motivated, influential believers in democracy to better understand and influence the process of building political awareness. They will then be able to support the establishment and development of both political parties and other political organisations and will engineer liberal solutions for the advancement of their own countries.

Thematically, the project concept includes the pillars and foundations of liberal democracy. The most important topics are: “The Market Economy and the Rule of Law”, “Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution” as well as “Cooperation between the Caucasian Countries and the European and Euro-Atlantic Organizations”.

Partners of the Foundation are offered a qualification course in “Election Campaign Management and Political Communication“.

Liberal youth The project’s target groups include, first and foremost, the political and administrative elite, as well as party leaders, young party members and members of the civil society. The project’s work is targeted mainly towards young reformists from centrist political parties and the media.

Cooperation with Liberal Partners

Our partners in the South Caucasus are the Musavat (“Equality”) Party in Azerbaijan, the Republican Party in Georgia and the Armenian National Movement, together with their respective youth organizations. We are also in close cooperation with the Azerbaijan Liberal Youth Association, the New Economic School in Georgia and the Centre for Economic, Political and Law Studies and Prognosis in Armenia. Our objective is to develop a basis for political dialogue in which all liberal forces of the respective country can take part.

Important tools in our work in the three countries are: conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions, research and information trips, regional and international forums and dialogues, training materials, consultations and publications.

The cross-border aspect of the South Caucasus project concept is especially significant to achieving our objectives since it is a factor for the resolution of conflicts and the political stability in this critical region.

Multilateral Security Conference The key points of our current project work are: one, to support our partners’ efforts to create the framework for a stable, peaceful social order in the region; and, two, active cooperation with European institutions. It is envisioned that future activities will include improving the climate for domestic and foreign investments, encouraging regional economic cooperation and work with minorities. The youth exchange programmes between Germany and the three Caucasian countries will also continue.