Sumgayit, once an industrial stronghold of Azerbaijan, is today evolving into a hub of youth action and environmental consciousness. Amidst its blend of Soviet-era buildings and the Caspian breeze, eight international volunteers from five countries gathered last summer for a month-long ESC team volunteering project with Common Sense Youth Organisation.
Meet the team
I didn’t even know where Sumgayit was before I came, laughs Amanda, a 21-year-old student from Lithuania. But now, I can tell you where to find the best çayxana in the city, and I even know how to drink tea in Azerbaijani-style! Amanda was joined by David (Spain), Marta (Poland), Barış (Türkiye), and others, each bringing their own background to the collaborative mission. Guided by their local coordinator Orkhan, the team focused on creating inclusive and eco-conscious experiences for local youth and children.
Their days were full: in the mornings, volunteers worked with children at the Sumgayit Youth House, hosting creative recycling workshops. We made mosaics from old CDs and bottle caps, shared Marta. One girl, Aysel, came back the next day with her own design — she said she wanted to decorate her school walls with it.
Afternoons often meant preparing for outdoor community events — such as the Traditional Game Hours, where over 60 local young people joined in traditional games, group discussions, and a zero-waste lunch. Seeing so many teenagers excited about climate action in my own city made me proud, said Vugara, one of the Azerbaijani local volunteers.
Exchange of stories, skills and smiles
But the experience wasn’t just about work. The volunteers took part in cultural nights, where they shared food, dances, and stories from their countries. On Azerbaijani night, local mentor Saadat introduced them to traditional mugham music. Marta became obsessed with Sadigjan’s tar music, Saadat smiled. She even asked where she could buy a tar to take home!
There were also unexpected moments: a power cut during an art session led to a spontaneous candle-lit poetry night; a planned hike turned into a bug fight when an unexpected summer storm hit the hills near Guba. We were cold, wet, and completely happy, said Barış.
By the end of the month, the volunteers had left behind more than memories. Volunteering here has changed how I see teamwork and community, said Kamil on their last day. And Sumgayit, somehow, feels like a second home now. Indeed, for all involved, this project was not just about giving — it was a mutual exchange of stories, skills, and smiles. The laughter, the struggles, the friendships formed — they now echo in the streets of Sumgayit, carried by every volunteer who walked them.
