The visit of experts of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ), which took place from 25 to 27 October 2023, in Baku, focused on improving the mediation training framework in Azerbaijan. It started with consultations on the opportunity of setting up standards for training programmes for mediators, as well as of an accreditation system for mediation trainers and training entities. CEPEJ experts from Slovenia and Portugal presented relevant CEPEJ tools, namely the CEPEJ Guidelines on Designing and Monitoring Mediation Training Schemes and CEPEJ Basic Mediator Training Curriculum. They also discussed with national stakeholders the means of implementing efficient and quality mediation training schemes and good practices in this area.

A training session allowed to increase the competences of 22 national mediation trainers and heads of mediation organisations. On the same occasion, they had the opportunity to exchange via videoconferencing with colleagues from Türkiye and Georgia.

Finally, as part of the same mission, on 25 October 2023 was carried out the second meeting of the Technical Committee of the Project, with participation of the representatives from the key partner institutions including the Ministry of Justice, the Mediation Council, and the Justice Academy, as well as representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan and of the Council of Europe. The discussions focused on the project’s progress since its launching in March 2023 and the priorities for the support to developing the institute of mediation in the country.

This activity was organised within the framework of the Project “Fostering mediation in Azerbaijan”, funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe in their Partnership for Good Governance III (2023-2027).