FY 2023 Azerbaijan Country Opinion Survey Report ECR Business Intelligence Team | January 2024 Acknowledgements The Azerbaijan Country Opinion Survey is part of the County Opinion Survey Program series of the World Bank Group. This report was prepared by the Business Intelligence (BI) team, led by José De Buerba (Senior External Affairs Officer) and Svetlana Markova (Senior External Affairs Officer). Yulia Danilina, Jessica Cameron, Nan Lin, and Sofya Gubaydullina oversaw the design, reporting, and analysis of the survey results. Noreen Wambui and Irina Popova provided data support. BI acknowledges the significant contribution of the Azerbaijan Country Team. In particular, BI is grateful for the support from Zaur Rzayev (External Affairs Officer) who coordinated the survey-related activities from Baku, Azerbaijan. Contents Objectives Methodology Overview Overall Context Overall Attitudes Toward the World Bank Group World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground in Azerbaijan Communication and Outreach Sample Demographics and Detailed Methodology 3 Objectives This survey was designed to assist the World Bank Group (WBG) in gaining a better understanding of how stakeholders in Azerbaijan perceive the WBG. The survey explored the following questions: 1. Overall Context: How familiar are they with the WBG? How much do they trust the WBG? 2. Key Indicators: What opinion do key stakeholders have of the WBG when it comes to its effectiveness, relevance, alignment with Azerbaijan’s development priorities, and other key indicators? Are opinions improving or declining? 3. Engagement and Work on the Ground: How is the WBG perceived as a development partner? Are opinions improving or declining? 4. Communication and Outreach: What are the preferred communication channels and which channels are reported to be used the most? Are there differences among stakeholder groups in terms of preferred channels? 5. Message Recall: What key topics that the WBG communicates do stakeholders recall? Is there a relationship between message recall and views of the WBG’s work? 4 Methodology Overview Government Institution 29% ▪ Fielded July 2023 through August 2023 ▪ 127 potential participants were asked to complete a mostly Bilateral or Multilateral Agency 25% quantitative survey ▪ Respondents completed the questionnaires online Civil Society Organization 19% ▪ List of names provided solely by the WBG country team ▪ The online survey platform is monitored and managed by the Academia/Research Institute/Think COS team 10% Tank ▪ 63 participants (50% response rate) Private Sector 6% ▪ 56% currently collaborate with the WBG Office of the President, Prime 3% Minister, Minister ▪ Compared to FY19 Country Survey ▪ 93 participants Office of a Parliamentarian 3% ▪ Respondents received the questionnaire online via email ▪ 49% collaborated with the WBG Media 3% Click here for details of the Sample Demographics and Methodology Which of the following best describes your current affiliation? Q (Select only 1 response) (Percentage of Respondents, N=63) 5 6 Overall Context Familiarity with the World Bank has Improved ▪ Year comparison: Respondents in this year’s Country Survey reported significantly higher levels of familiarity with the WBG compared to FY19: Mean familiarity: FY23 = 7.3 All Respondents 7.3 FY19 = 6.5 ▪ Collaboration with the WBG: Respondents who collaborate with the WBG reported higher levels of familiarity with the Government Institutions 8.1 institution’s work: Mean familiarity: Collaborate with WBG = 7.4 Do not collaborate = 7.1 Non-Government Institutions 7.3 ▪ Stakeholder Analysis: Respondents from government institutions reported the highest levels of familiarity with the WBG’s work (mean = 8.1), whereas respondents from bilateral/multilateral agencies indicated significantly lower Bilateral/ Multilateral Agency 6.0 levels of familiarity (mean = 6.0) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean Rating of Familiarity How familiar are you with the work of the World Bank Group in Azerbaijan? Q Scale: 1 Not familiar at all – 10 Extremely familiar (N=63) ^ Government Institutions included respondents from Government Institutions included respondents from the Office of the President, Prime Minister, Minister, and Office of a Parliamentarian (National Significantly different between stakeholder groups Assembly, Legislative body), and government institutions; Non-government institutions included respondents from civil society organizations, the private sector, 7 academia, and the media. The World Bank is The World Bank Group* 6.6 7.4 Considered the Most Trusted 7.1 The national government* Institution in Azerbaijan 5.3 7.0 Central Bank* 4.6 The WBG continued to be considered the most trusted institution in Azerbaijan among those studied. In addition, Regional development banks 6.9 stakeholder levels of trust in the WBG have improved (ADB, EBRD, IsDB, etc)* 5.4 significantly since the FY19 Country Survey. 6.6 Private sector* 5.8 The national government and the Central Bank were also FY23 indicated among the top trusted institutions. In contrast, the 6.4 The International Monetary Fund* FY19 5.6 local governments, civil society, and the Parliament were considered the least trusted among the institutions studied. 6.3 The United Nations (UN) 5.9 ▪ Ratings of trust for most of the institutions studied, were significantly higher in FY23 than in the FY19 survey. 5.9 Parliament 5.9 Civil society (e.g., NGOs, CBOs)* 4.9 5.5 Local governments To what extent do you trust each of the following groups to do what is right? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Q Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree (FY23 N=~59; FY19 N = ~76) Mean Rating of Trust 8 *Significantly different between years 9 Overall Attitudes toward the World Bank Group Perceptions of the Bank’s Alignment with the Effectiveness in achieving results^ 7.2 Country’s Development 6.6 Priorities have Improved 7.0 Alignment with the development priorties* In FY23, respondents ranked high the WBG’s 6.3 effectiveness in achieving results and alignment with the development priorities in Azerbaijan. Perceptions on other key performance indicators have also slightly 6.4 improved since FY19. Relevance FY23 6.5 FY19 6.2 Ends extreme poverty The WBG’s work is aligned with what I consider the development priorities for Azerbaijan. Q Scale: 1 Strongly disagree – 10 Strongly agree How effective has the WBG been in achieving development results in Azerbaijan? Scale: 1 Not effective at all – 10 Very effective 6.1 The WBG currently plays a relevant role in development in Azerbaijan. Influences the development agenda Scale: 1Strongly disagree – 10 Strongly agree To what extent does the WBG influence the development agenda in Azerbaijan? 5.9 Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree The World Bank Group’s work helps end extreme poverty in Azerbaijan. Scale: 1 Strongly disagree – 10 Strongly agree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ^Compared to a mean score of the two questions asked in FY19: "Overall, please rate your Mean Rating impression of the WBG’s effectiveness in Azerbaijan. Scale: 1 Not effective at all – 10 Very effective; To what extent does the WBG’s work help to *Significantly different between years achieve development results in Azerbaijan? Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree 10 Stakeholders from Government Institutions Have More Positive 8.1 Trust 7.2 Perceptions of the World Bank 6.9 Respondents from government institutions tended to 7.8 have the most positive perceptions of the WBG and its Effectiveness in achieving work, followed by respondents from bilateral and 7.2 results* multilateral agencies. 6.5 Government Institutions 7.6 Alignment with the 6.8 Bilateral/Multila development priorities 6.7 teral Agency 6.7 Non- Government Relevance 5.9 Institutions 6.5 To what extent do you trust the WBG to do what is right? Q Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree 6.6 The WBG’s work is aligned with what I consider the development priorities for Azerbaijan. Scale: 1 Strongly disagree – 10 Strongly agree Influences the 5.7 *Significantly different The WBG currently plays a relevant role in the development in Azerbaijan development agenda Scale: 1 Strongly disagree – 10 Strongly agree among stakeholder 6.0 How effective has the WBG been in achieving development results in Azerbaijan? groups Scale: 1 Not effective at all – 10 Very effective To what extent does the WBG influence the development agenda in Azerbaijan? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree Mean Rating 11 12 World Bank Group’s Work and Engagement on the Ground in Azerbaijan Improvement across Key Performance Indicators 1 Mean Rating 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Year comparison: Respondents in this year’s Country 7.7 Collaboration with the national/federal government 7.1 Survey reported significantly higher levels of aggregated mean ratings for the indicator questions than in FY19: 7.4 Trust* 6.6 Mean overall ratings: FY23 = 7.0 7.4 Accesss to WBG staff FY19 = 6.3 6.6 7.2 Effectiveness 6.6 Collaboration with the WBG: Respondents who 7.0 collaborate with the WBG gave significantly higher ratings Alignment* 6.3 across the aggregated indicator questions compared to respondents who do not collaborate with the WBG. Collaboration with other donors and development 6.9 partners 6.8 Mean rating: Collaborate with WBG = 7.2 6.8 Responsiveness to needs 6.5 Do not collaborate = 6.6 6.8 Knowledge work contribution 6.3 Stakeholder analysis: Respondents from government 6.7 Collaboration with private sector* institutions (mean = 7.5) had significantly higher mean 5.7 ratings of the aggregated responses to the twelve COS 6.4 indicator questions, whereas respondents from Relevance 6.5 bilateral/multilateral agencies had the lowest mean 6.3 FY23 ratings (mean = 6.6). Collaboration with civil society 5.5 FY19 6.1 Influence 5.9 *significantly different between years Mean Ratings for the twelve COS Indicator Questions by Stakeholder Groups on a Scale from 1 to 10. Q Click here for details of these Indicator Questions 13 Respondents from the Government Rank Highly 8.5 National government 7.1 WBG’s Collaboration with 7.3 the National Government and Other donors and 7.1 8.0 development partners* other Development Partners 5.9 7.8 Civil society 6.1 5.7 Respondents from government institutions and bilateral/ multilateral agencies gave high ratings for the Bank’s Government 7.5 collaboration with the national government and with other Institutions development partners. Parliament 6.1 5.7 Bilateral/Multilat Respondents from non-government institutions tended to eral Agency give consistently lower ratings for the World Bank’s 7.2 collaboration with all stakeholder groups, although the Local governments* 6.4 Non- difference in their ratings compared to other groups was 4.8 Government Institutions statistically significant only for collaboration with development partners and local governments. 7.1 Private sector 6.9 6.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean Rating To what extent is the WBG an effective development partner in Azerbaijan, in terms of collaborating with the Q following groups? Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree 14 15 Communication and Outreach Two-thirds of Respondents Engaged with the WBG in the Last 30 Days 63% of respondents recalled hearing or seeing something about the WBG in the last 30 days. Around two-thirds of the respondents reported seeing that information on social media. Additionally, respondents frequently recalled the Bank’s key messages from direct contact with WBG staff and at WBG events. Among respondents who selected “Social media”, respondents most commonly reported seeing something about the Bank on Facebook. Social media 65% Direct contact with WBG staff 54% Event / conference / seminar (in 41% person or online) 75% WBG Website 35% Newspapers (Print or online) 30% Direct messaging 27% Television (TV) 24% 25% 25% 17% Radio 8% 8% 4% Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp YouTube Instagram e-Newsletters 8% Other 3% Do you recall seeing or hearing anything about the WBG in the last 30 days? (N=59) Q Where do you recall seeing or hearing this information? (Check all that apply) (Percentage of Respondents, N=37) 16 What social media platforms do you recall seeing this information on? (Check all that apply) (Percentage of Respondents, N=24) WBG Country Economic Forecasts and the WBG’s support of the National Socioeconomic Strategy were the Most Commonly Recalled Topics Respondents most frequently recalled WBG’s country economic forecasts and its work on the National Socioeconomic Development Strategy 2022-2026. WBG country economic forecasts or analysis 57% WBG work to support implementation of the National Socioeconomic 54% Development Strategy 2022-2026 WBG regional or global economic forecasts 38% WBG work or research on climate change (mitigation, adaptation) 35% WBG work or research on human capital development 27% WBG work or research on energy, including the green energy transition 24% or energy efficiency WBG work on post-conflict recovery, governance and anti-corruption 19% WBG work or research on gender equity and empowerment of women 16% and girls. WBG work or research on food insecurity 14% WBG work to provide debt relief for developing countries 14% Other 11% 17 Q What topics were included in what you saw or heard? (Check all that apply) (Percentage of Respondents, N=37) Climate Change Communications can be More Impactful when Related to Stakeholders’ Top Concerns: Diminished Water Supply and Air Pollution Seven in ten respondents were very concerned about the diminished water supply for people and the economy when it comes to the potential impacts of climate change in Azerbaijan. Over half of all respondents were also very concerned about air pollution, and almost half selected land and forest degradation as extremely concerning. These key areas of concern should be taken into consideration to make communications about climate change more impactful in Azerbaijan. Not at all A little Somewhat concerned Very concerned Diminished water supply for people and the economy 71% Air pollution 58% Land and forest degradation 47% Forest fires 42% Decreased crop yields/food insecurity 39% Loss of jobs 36% Increase erosion of shoreline 36% Extinction of plant/animal species 32% More frequent and severe droughts / heatwaves 29% Increase in natural disasters (for example, cyclones or sea-level surges) 25% More frequent and severe floods 25% Climate-driven migration 24% Unsafe drinking water Effects on public health Q What is your level of concern for each of the potential impacts of climate change as it affects your country? (Percentage of Respondents, N=59) 18 Message Recall is Associated with Greater Message Agreement The World Bank Group… Respondents who recalled seeing or is improving gender equity and inclusion for 7.8 hearing something about the WBG in the women and girls* 6.5 last 30 days tended to give higher ratings on the key messages related to the WBG’s helps countries boost climate resilience and 7.5 work and commitments. mitigate the effects of climate challenge* 5.6 supports countries to strengthen their human 7.5 capital through improving health care, nutrition, education, jobs, and skills* 6.2 supports countries to achieve transition to more 7.2 diversified and cleaner sources of energy* 5.9 Heard about is committed to comprehensive debt solutions 6.7 in last 30 that bring significant benefits to people in poor 5.7 days countries* helps address the current food crisis and 6.5 Did not hear enables greater preparedness to future food about in last security crises* 5.3 30 days removes bottlenecks that prevent firms from 6.5 creating more and better jobs* 5.2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Mean Rating Do you recall seeing or hearing anything about the WBG in the last 30 days? *Significantly different between recall yes/no Q To what extent do you agree with the following statements: Scale: 1 To no degree at all – 10 To a very significant degree 19 20 Sample Demographics and Detailed Methodology Sample Demographics Which of the following best describes your current affiliation? (N=63) Government Institution 29% Bilateral or Multilateral Agency 25% Civil Society Organization 19% What’s your gender? (N=63) Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 10% Private Sector 6% Female 30% Office of the President, Prime Minister, Minister 3% Office of a Parliamentarian 3% Male 70% Media 3% Other (please specify) 2% 21 Sample Demographics Currently, do you professionally collaborate/ work Which of the following agencies of the WBG do with the WBG in your country? (N=63) you primarily collaborate/work with in Azerbaijan? (N=35) The World 71% Bank (IBRD) No 44% Yes 56% The International Finance 29% Corporation (IFC) 22 Detailed Methodology Percentage of Respondents FY 2019 FY 2023 From July 2023 to August 2023, a total of 127 stakeholders of the WBG in Azerbaijan were invited Government Principals: Office of the to provide their opinions about the WBG’s work in the country by participating in a Country Opinion President, Prime Minister, Minister; Office of 6% 6% a Parliamentarian (National Assembly, Survey (COS). Participants were drawn from the Office of the President, Prime Minister, Minister, Legislative body) Office of a Parliamentarian, Government Institutions, Local Governments, Bilateral / Multilateral Agencies, Private Sector, Civil Society, Academia, and the Media. Government Institutions: Employee of a Ministry, Department, Project Implementation Unit, Independent 39% 29% A total of 63 stakeholders participated in the survey (50% response rate). Respondents Government Institution, Judiciary, completed the questionnaire via an online platform. The results of this year’s survey were State-Owned Enterprise compared to the FY19 COS survey (N=93). Local Government 2% 0% Comparing responses across Country Surveys reflects changes in attitudes over time, but also changes in respondent samples, methodology, and changes to the survey instrument itself. To Bilateral/Multilateral Agency: Embassy, Development Organization, Development 15% 25% reduce the influence of the latter factor, only those questions with similar response scales/options Bank, UN Agency were analyzed. Additionally, this year, the COS project utilized a Pulse survey format, a shorter survey version conducted online by the BI team at the WBG. The list of respondents was identified Civil Society: NGOs, Community-Based and provided solely by the country team. Thus, this year’s survey saw an increased outreach to Organization, Private Foundation, 20% 19% Professional / Trade Association, and response from stakeholders bilateral/multilateral agencies, and academia and a decrease in Faith-Based Group, Youth Group the number of government institutions respondents. These differences in stakeholder composition between the two years should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results of the past- Private Sector: Private Company, Financial Sector Organization, Private Bank 6% 6% year comparison analyses. Key statistically significant findings (tested at the research standard of p < .05) are noted Academia/Research Institute/Think Tank 0% 10% throughout the report. Media 3% 3% Breakdowns for individual questions by stakeholder group can be found in the “Azerbaijan COS FY23 Appendices with data breakdowns.xlsx” file published in the WBG Microdata Library, along Other 8% 2% with the survey microdata and this report. Total Number of Respondents 93 63 23 Indicator Questions A1_3. To what extent do you trust the World Bank Group to do what is right? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) A2. How effective has the World Bank Group been in achieving development results in Azerbaijan? A3. The World Bank Group currently plays a relevant role in development in Azerbaijan, Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) A4. The World Bank Group’s work is aligned with what I consider the development priorities for Azerbaijan, Scale: 1-10 (1: Strongly disagree – 10: Strongly agree) A6. To what extent does the World Bank Group influence the development agenda in Azerbaijan? Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all– 10: To a very significant degree) A7. How significant a contribution do you believe the World Bank Group's knowledge work and activities make to development results in your country?, Scale: 1-10 (1: Not significant at all – 10: Very significant) To what extent is the World Bank Group an effective development partner in Azerbaijan, in terms of each of the following? – Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) B1. Responsiveness to needs, B2. Access to WBG staff and experts, To what extent is the WBG an effective development partner in Azerbaijan, in terms of collaborating with the following groups: – Scale: 1-10 (1: To no degree at all – 10: To a very significant degree) B3. Collaboration with the national government B4.Collaboration with the private sector B5.Collaboration with civil society B6. Collaboration with other donor and development partners Note: Corporate Score questions are highlighted in RED 24 Thank you For more information about this report or the Country Opinion Survey program, please contact: countrysurveys@worldbankgroup.org