The ASAN service () is an Azerbaijani state agency for public services. The agency's goal is to make services more easily accessible to citizens using modern technologies. The acronym "ASAN" stands for "Azerbaijan Service and Assessment Network". The word "asan" means "easy" in Azerbaijani.
The ASAN service, as part of the State Agency for Public Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is chaired by Ulvi Mehdiyev.
Entities and services
“ASAN service” centers are “one-stop shop”-based locations that bring together representatives of 10 government entities and private companies providing services in a public-private partnership . More than 300 services are provided, including birth, death and marriage registration; identity cards; passports; driver licenses; real estate records; immigrant status and other civic services. At the same time, functional support services, including banking, insurance, legal support, translation and other services are rendered at the center.
Services in the centers are rendered based on the "single space" approach. Thus, a citizen can benefit from various public and private services in one center (single administrative building) at the same time entering through only one door. While the State Agency (State Agency on Public Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan) manages the "space", government agencies are directly responsible for rendering their own services. The State Agency is responsible setting standards and principles and overseeing day-to-day functioning of the ASAN service centers, whereas the governmental agencies are responsible for providing quality service. Thus, there is neither duplication of functions, nor a conflict of interest between a standard setter and those applying these standards. The State Agency is an entirely new and neutral body that, in accordance with its status, sets standards, optimizes services, monitors and assesses service-providing entities.
Applications of over 41 million citizens have been received since inception of "ASAN service". Not surprisingly, the satisfaction of the citizens having accessed services stands at the rate of 99-100 percent.
"ASAN service" centers function on Monday - Friday from 09:00 am to 07:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm (without break). About 30,000 citizens receive services by "ASAN service" daily.
Five key principles of "ASAN service" centers
ASAN service ensures access to public services based on the following key principles:
Efficiency
Efficient service delivery helps the citizens avoid unnecessary costs and save time. Thus, all necessary conditions are in place for taking a queue, obtaining information prior to applying for services and benefiting from the electronic services.
Transparency
This is the core principle of ASAN service. In order to ensure transparency in ASAN service centers proactive methods have been used, and monitors, panels, information boards have been installed. Fees for services are paid through banks and payment terminals located in the centers. All operations and transactions in the centers are video recorded. This helps achieve the total elimination of bureaucratic hurdles and conditions conductive to corruption in the centers.
Comfort
In order to provide comfort for the citizens in the centers internet-cafes, baby care rooms, children's playgrounds and self-service areas have been set up.
Politeness
This principle aims at ensuring ethical behavior. "The citizen is always right" principle constitutes main the main purpose of ASAN service. In the process of realization of this approach, employees of the centers are constantly involved in training on efficient service delivery and ethical behavior.
Innovativeness
Innovative methods are used with the aim of increasing the quality of services to the citizens through modern means.
Statistics
Until today, applications of over 36 million citizens have been received. Mobile ASAN service began in 2013 and helps provide universal access for citizens. It uses buses that travel to deliver services in remote and hard-to-reach areas that do not have ASAN service centers. The agency also established intra-city mobile services in the capital city of Baku. By paying an additional fee, citizens can receive services at work, home or another location they choose. Public satisfaction rate is close to 100 percent.