NDI has been committed to Azerbaijan’s democratic development since 1995, when the Institute opened its first office in Baku.  With a presence inside Azerbaijan until 2014, NDI's programs involved advocacy organizations, women’s groups, youth movements, political parties, and election monitoring and observation.  NDI closed its representative office in Baku in 2014, but continues to support democracy and human rights activists activists to foster pluralism and to inform and engage communities inside and outside of Azerbaijan on the country's democratic development.