Baku: On December 27, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and Alena Aliyeva visited the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity in Baku.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, Anar Aliyev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, highlighted the activities of the Center, which was initiated by First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. The Center aims to foster the creative talents of individuals with disabilities, members of martyr families, children deprived of parental care, and people from vulnerable backgrounds.
Since its opening in 2021, the Center has become the South Caucasus's premier inclusive space, serving over 900 people through various vocational trainings. These include fine arts, pottery, music, tailoring, carpet weaving, artistic carving, culinary arts, and stage performance.
During their visit, Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva presented gifts to the beneficiaries of the DOST Center for Inclusive Development and Creativity. They also viewed an exhibition of handicrafts made by the beneficiaries and were presented with unique gifts created at the Center and its regional branches.
The DOST Center, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Center, gained international recognition this year through its participation in the Osaka Kansai World Expo 2025 in Japan. The Center also hosted more than 150 inclusive events throughout the year.
A concert program was arranged to celebrate December 31 - the World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day and the New Year. It featured performances by residents of social service institution No. 2 for persons with disabilities under age 18, Center trainers, and beneficiaries, accompanied by the Center's Inclusive Chamber Orchestra and Inclusive Ensemble. People's Artists Zulfiya Khanbabayeva and Natig Shirinov performed alongside talented individuals from vulnerable groups.
The guests were also briefed on a pilot project involving a new portal designed for selling handicrafts made at the Center. The platform aims to introduce the creative works of vulnerable groups to a broader audience. Leyla Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva engaged in conversations with trainers and beneficiaries and took photos with them.