🧩 The Challenge
Nearly half of Azerbaijan’s population lives in the countryside and works on farms. Agriculture, however, contributes only 7% to the country's GDP, because most farms are small and do not have access to big markets. Bad roads and logistics challenges drive up transportation costs, limit access to markets, and inflate expenses for small family farms. Without modern transportation, processing and refrigeration food spoils quickly and farmers can be forced to sell cheaply. Women, who make up a significant portion of Azerbaijan’s farmers, often struggle with business resources and need training opportunities. Women’s jobs are concentrated in low-paying industries, and women often do not have the help they need to grow their businesses.
🛠️ The Intervention
The World Bank-supported Azerbaijan Regional Connectivity and Development Project (P174379) is designed to promote growth and development in Azerbaijan, with a particular emphasis on rural areas such as the Salyan and Bilasuvar districts. The project is rehabilitating 71.2 kilometers of road, enhancing access to markets and benefiting approximately 250,000 residents. Improved roads will also extend to neighboring regions like Jalilabad, Masalli, and Lankaran. In addition, the project will construct warehouses, cold storage units, and small markets while ensuring that both women and men can sell their products in the markets by earmarking spaces for them.
Importantly, the project aims to support small-scale roadside businesses, agricultural and agri-logistics producers by providing training and business advisory services to help them start and expand their activities. A key focus is ensuring that at least 50% of beneficiaries are women, including those from single-headed female households, who are often among the most vulnerable.
đź“Š Results
Women played an active role in designing logistics and market centers. These centers will include “community rooms,” providing accessible spaces for gatherings—an important feature in rural Azerbaijan, where such facilities are scarce.
Training and business advisory services in areas prioritized by the communities, such as modern production and service techniques, business development, and e-commerce, are underway. Over 300 people have received training, and approximately 70 individuals have benefited from business advice.
Women have been sharing innovative ideas, such as opening packaging centers, offering printing services, and selling tea, coffee, sweets, preserves and bakery products. Some are aiming to expand their businesses online.
đź’ˇ Lessons Learned
- Community mobilization and engagement: Getting early buy-in from local authorities and leaders was critical for the project implementation. The more the project team talked to community leaders about the project’s potential benefits, the more people trusted them.
- Community mobilization engaging both women and men: Hiring women community mobilizers proved essential in reaching rural women, especially in conservative areas where women might otherwise be reluctant to interact with men.
- Facilities: Involving community members early in the design process lead to better roadside facilities. Both men and women gave valuable input which influenced lighting, seating arrangements, and dedicated areas for women.
- Business training: A survey found that women in business were most concerned about time limitations, their own lack of confidence, and location-related obstacles. To address that, training sessions were tailored, some were shortened, and venues were safe and culturally appropriate.
- Local partners: Local partners with prior experience in community mobilization and engagement with women brought useful insights into cultural norms and helped navigate social dynamics.
đź“Ś Conclusion
This case study underscores the importance of equality-driven infrastructure development as a way to promote inclusive growth. The Azerbaijan project is improving logistics and transportation while taking account of women’s needs and perspectives. This intervention underscores the importance of working with community members as early as possible and adapting to local needs, be they cultural or business related.
Note: Nijat Valiyev (Senior Transport Economist, World Bank) and Elnur Abbaszade (Social and Community Relations Specialist at the Project Implementation Unit) provided input into this case study.