The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBİA) is among institutions contributing to voluntary activities in our country. "SMB Volunteers" program of KOBİA celebrates its 5th anniversary this year.

According to Vusala Guliyeva, Head of the Public Relations Department of the Secretariat of KOBİA, KOBİA has been carrying out volunteer activities aimed at strengthening public and social responsibility under the Law "On Voluntary Activities" since its inception. The "SMB Volunteers" program, which has been in place since 2018, supports young people, especially those studying management, business and administration specialties, to broaden their knowledge and skills, worldview, and acquire work habits. "SMB volunteers" are closely involved in the daily work process in the administrative building of KOBİA, SMB Friend offices of the Agency operating in Baku city and regions, SMB houses and other structures. In the recent period of 2023, 60 young people joined the "SMB Volunteers" program, so far nearly 600 young people in total.

Discipline, communication, agility, teamwork, organizational skills and taking initiative are required above all for young people seeking to volunteer at KOBİA. When selecting volunteers, preference is given to young people who meet these criteria and have computer skills and language proficiency. Young people seeking to join the "SMB Volunteers" program are required to register in the "Become an SMB volunteer" section on the official website of SMB at www.smb.gov.az. Electronic applications submitted to this section are assessed and short-listed candidates are invited to the interview.

The activities of volunteers mainly depend on the work process of the structural unit. For instance, according to the activities of SMB houses, volunteers will receive entrepreneurs who apply to these centers, inform them about the services offered at the SMB House, help citizens to use the electronic queue system, and direct them to the relevant service desks.

V. Guliyeva noted that since most of the volunteers are students, their studies are taken into account and volunteering activities are carried out in 2 shifts at the Agency: "Volunteers can participate in the activities in the shifts of their choice. Since "SMB volunteers" are closely involved in the day-to-day work process of the Agency, they expand their outlook on entrepreneurship and business environment, acquire knowledge and skills in the relevant field. This is of great importance for young people studying in fields such as management, business and administration. KOBİA will award certificates to young people who have successfully completed their 2-month voluntary activity in accordance with their contractual obligations, giving them the opportunity for a successful transition into working life.”

Regarding the matter of where there are any age and eligibility limitations for a young person who wants to become an "SMB volunteer", V. Guliyeva pointed out to the fact that young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who attend higher and secondary educational institutions are encouraged to apply to the Agency for volunteering. Preference will be given to young people studying management and economics.

Two of the young people who have volunteered at KOBİA this year, and so far a total of 14 people have been employed in various structural divisions of the Agency: "We would like to take this opportunity to recommend young people to be engaged in voluntary activities in public and private agencies depending on their qualifications during their studies or after completing their studies."

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