International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) is an independent international non-governmental organization established by a group of journalists from different countries and registered in Azerbaijan in 1992. International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) is an independent international non-governmental organization established by a group of journalists from different countries and registered in Azerbaijan in 1992. IEPF works in cooperation with UN agencies, US State Department, European Commission, World Bank, International Press Institute, International Federation of journalists, embassies of foreign countries in the Republic of Azerbaijan, ministries, agencies, as well as local and international non-governmental organizations in the region.

The main areas of activity are:

  • Media and civil society development
  • Crisis management, peacekeeping and conflictology
  • Problems of refugees and IDPs
  • Community development 
  • Education

The IEPF, a special advisory member of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) NGO, is also a member of the Council of Europe’s Committee for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (ECRE), the US Department of State’s Office of Military-Political Affairs’ Office for Disarmament and Prohibition. He is a member of the Press Institute (IPI) and the International Peace Bureau (IBRD). IEPF is one of the founders of the Azerbaijan Press Council and the Azerbaijan National Non-Governmental Organizations Forum.

Membership in international organizations not only expands the scope of activity of IEPF, but also gives the fund relevant powers. Having gained special consultative status at ECOSOC, IEPF becomes a participant in international conferences convened by the UN General Assembly and other special meetings, issue oral and short written statements based on the guarantee issued by the committee, appoint representatives for participation in the meetings of ECOSOC and its other bodies, it is authorized to consult with officials in the Secretariat on issues of interest to NGOs.

The IEPF also works effectively in crisis management, peacekeeping, conflict studies and human rights. One of the main tasks of the Foundation is to study and resolve ways of resolving national and military conflicts in the region from the very beginning.

IEPF has implemented a number of projects related to this direction of its activity so far. "Peace at home, peace in the country, peace in the world "(1992)," first level mine clearing survey "(2000-2001)," Mine Action survey "(2002-2003)," NATO and regional security "(2002)," community Mine Action "(continued since 2002)," mine victims ' needs study "(2004)," establishment of mine victims association in Tartar region of Azerbaijan and its activities " (2006-2007) carried out projects and some other projects, conducted dozens of international conferences, seminars. the organization was also a participant and organizer of round tables. Association of mine victims (AMZA) was established in Azerbaijan with the foundation of IEPF in March of 2007 and registered in the Ministry of Justice in July. From July 2007 to July 2008, projects on "establishment of Fuzuli regional branch of AMZA and directing the activity of tartar section" and "establishment of Akstafa regional branch of AMZA and direction of its activity" were implemented with the financial support of the Bureau of Military-Political Affairs of the US Department of State.

The International Eurasia Press Fund carries out successful works and projects in the field of solution of problems of refugees and IDPs, study of migration issues in Azerbaijan. In December 1997, IEPF, which considers the solution of the problems of refugees and IDPs as one of the priority tasks, held an International Conference "national issue and the problem of refugees" in Saint-Petersburg with the Russian Geographic Society, Saint-Petersburg Department of the Writers ' Union of Russia, Saint-Petersburg State Academy of Culture, Azerbaijan-Saint-Petersburg cultural center. More than 30 representatives from more than 100 countries occupied the conference. The resolution adopted by the conference addressed to the UN and the world community, and the main attention was paid to the problems of Azerbaijan. During the conference, the damage caused by the war to Azerbaijan was demonstrated at the exhibitions. In 2001-2003 IEPF with the financial support of the Danish Refugee Council implemented "multifunctional infoterminal” on non - governmental organizations of the Caucasus region" project. In 2002, IEPF together with the Association of Independent Journalists of Georgia participated in the implementation of the project "lobbying the interests of refugees and IDPs".

Refugees and IDPs make up about 40 percent of the IEPF’s Community Mine Action team.

The project "Development and stimulation of social interaction between local IDP students in public schools", launched in 2009 with the financial support of the World Bank and the Japan Fund for Social Development, was completed in 2011.

The IEPF, which is included in the State Register for exemption from certain social contributions and additional taxes, is involved in the distribution of humanitarian aid to refugees and IDPs by the State Commission on International Humanitarian Aid.

At a time when Azerbaijan is moving from humanitarian aid to development, the IEPF has focused on solving community problems and implementing projects to develop entrepreneurial skills among displaced people. For this purpose, Eurasia-Credit Non-Banking Credit Organization, a non-bank credit organization established by the organization in 2007 and registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, started operating in the same year and has provided loans to more than 1,200 low-income families.

 The US Department of State-funded project “Establishment of a Vocational Training Center (VTC) for Mine Victims and War Victims in the Tartar Region of Azerbaijan” implemented since July 2009 is of exceptional importance in mobilizing community initiatives. Vocational training for mine victims, their families, retired mine workers, refugees, IDPs and low-income families will help reduce unemployment in this region. The project will last until December 2010.

In July 2007, the IEPF participated in the Annual Innovative Exhibition entitled “Strengthening Efforts to Eliminate Poverty and Hunger through Global Partnership for Development” at the UN Office in Geneva under the Millennium Development Goals. The exhibition was attended by the UN Secretary-General, the President of ECOSOC, the Secretary-General of UNESCO, the Head of the NGO Department of ECOSOC and other high-ranking Chinese officials. The event was attended by about 30 NGOs from around the world. IEPF participated in the exhibition with a “Successful Story” reflecting the achievements of the project “Establishment and operation of the Association of Mine Victims in the Tartar region of Azerbaijan” implemented with the financial support of the Office of Military-Political Affairs of the US Department of State.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the IEPF's participation in the Innovation Exhibition, expressing his views in the organization's opinion book: "I support your free service to humanity."

Today, the IEPF, headquartered in Baku, has become one of the best-known non-governmental organizations in the region for its international experience, serious and influential partners, competent human resources, material and technical base, and has branches in Russia, the Baltic republics and around the world.

The IEPF has regional offices in Tartar, Fizuli and Agstafa districts. Through these offices, the organization coordinates its goals and objectives in the region.