ABOUT NAZRIN

​I’m Nazrin Allahverdiyeva, and I’m from Baku, Azerbaijan. I have been involved in the civil society of Azerbaijan in various roles since 2018. Over the years, I have worked as a community manager, communications consultant, project coordinator, translator, and interpreter for different civil society organizations in Azerbaijan. Most recently, I co-founded an organization called Baku Community Space, which operated between 2021 and 2024 but was shut down due to the increasingly aggressive crackdown on civil society organizations in Azerbaijan, ongoing since November 2023. My main career experience has been in project design and management for social projects. For example, I designed one of the leadership programs of Baku Community Space called Women Leadership School. This six- month-long Feminist School was created for women* living in Baku and its suburbs. I have an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Audit from Azerbaijan State University, though I never actually pursued it as a career. I was also an Erasmus+ exchange student in the UK, where I studied Economics at the University of Leicester.

​Currently, I am planning to continue my education, and I am applying for master’s degrees to study Development Economics. I’ve been actively involved with a local youth network in Azerbaijan since I was 20,which eventually led me to engage with Green politics and activism. Through this network, I participated in various activities of the Federation of Young European Greens in 2019–2020. In addition, I worked as an interpreter for OSCE during the 2020 Azerbaijan Parliamentary Elections, and I’ve been involved in translations and interpretation work since 2017. During my university years, I also worked as an English language instructor. I am an alumna of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a US-based exchange program. I was nominated by the US Embassy in Azerbaijan for this program because of my active involvement in civil society. During my visit, I explored various states across the US, met grassroots organizations working on themes such as civic engagement and youth participation, and engaged with government agencies like the US State Department. I’m interested in politics, social movements, sociology, and history. I’m also a big fan of cinema, music, and literature. Recently, I started learning DJ-ing as a hobby. I am an ethnic minority in Azerbaijan, which is called the Tat people. We have our own language, the Tat language, and in Azeri, we refer to ourselves as "the mountainous," meaning someone from the mountains. Although the Tat people have been heavily assimilated, my ethnic background and its unique family dynamics have shaped my identity. It made me passionate about community-building and inspired my commitment to creating inclusive spaces.

Life in Košice

​I came to Kosice based on the advice of a close friend who had also been a volunteer. Their stories about the city and the volunteering experience made me curious and excited to explore it for myself. I arrived in Kosice on the 13th of October, and from the very beginning, I felt like I had found a place I was looking for—a quiet and cozy city that allowed me to slow down and find peace after a long period of busy and overwhelming routines. What I enjoy the most about Kosice is its calmness. It’s a city that encourages reflection and balance, something I felt I had been missing for a while. The architecture and streets are charming, and I particularly like taking walks in the city center,  especially in the evenings when everything is lit up but still quiet. Another thing I appreciate about my time in Kosice is the community. I really like the other volunteers I’ve had the chance to meet and connect with. The organization I’m volunteering with has been very supportive, and I enjoy the opportunities it provides to learn and grow. It’s inspiring to be part of a group working toward meaningful goals while sharing cultural experiences and insights. Even though I’ve only been here for a short time, I already enjoy it a lot. My daily life is simple yet fulfilling. I’ve been enjoying small moments like cooking meals, journaling, or reading in the cozy space I live in. Having this quiet, stable environment has allowed me to recharge and focus on personal growth, something I haven’t been able to do for a long time. Looking ahead, I’m excited to see what more Kosice has to offer. I’m curious to explore more parts of the city, learn about its history and culture, and deepen my relationships with the people I’ve met here.