Written by Francesco Banchini, CEO & Director of European Azerbaijan School, COBIS Accredited Member (CIS)

In the quiet, uncertain days following the Second Karabakh War, something remarkable began to take root—not in a government office or a national policy, but in the hearts of educators.

In December 2020, a group of teachers and school leaders from the European Azerbaijan School (EAS) travelled to Barda and Garayusifli, two regions deeply scarred by the conflict. Among them was Mr. Francesco Banchini, CEO and Director of EAS. Their visit wasn’t for show. It wasn’t to make promises. It was to listen and help. They met families still grieving, communities still rebuilding. But amid the heartbreak, they heard something else—a deep, committed desire for opportunity. Not just relief, but renewal. Not just survival, but growth. And in those moments of listening, the idea for Seeds of Light or İşıq Toxumları was born.

“We realised that education could be the most powerful response to what we saw,” Mr. Banchini later said. “We couldn’t change the past, but we could help shape a brighter future—starting with the children.”

Only a few days later, Seeds of Light was launched with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Its aim was very simple: to offer high-quality, free education to students in Barda and Aghdam, and to support local teachers through training, collaboration, and shared resources. But simple doesn’t mean easy. The world was still in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel was difficult. Classrooms were closed. And yet, the EAS team moved ahead. They brought their IB trained educators, digital platforms, and most importantly, their belief that connection could transcend screens. Online lessons in English, Azerbaijani, Maths, and History began almost immediately to help students rebuild confidence and rediscover the joy of learning.

When students and teachers start to believe in themselves

By the end of the academic year, over 350 students had taken part in the programme. But numbers tell only part of the story. What truly mattered was what happened inside the students—the quiet confidence that began to emerge, the curiosity rekindled, the spark in their eyes when they realised: I can do this.

One 8th-grade student, Javad, smiled as he shared: “The history lesson was in English. I understood it. I answered the questions.” Another student, Reyhan, worked with classmates on a presentation: “I felt like an active student. I showed I could contribute.” These weren’t just lessons. They were turning points. Students weren’t only learning about history or language. They were learning about themselves.

But it wasn’t just students who grew. Teachers in Barda and Aghdam also found themselves on a learning journey. Through co-teaching sessions, interactive workshops, and collaborative planning, EAS teachers worked side-by-side with their local colleagues—not as outsiders, but as partners. Hamidova Ifade, a maths teacher in Barda, described how the new methods inspired her: “The use of English, the visual slides, the engagement—it all made the lessons more meaningful. I now use these ideas in my own teaching.”

Aslanova Gulnara, an Azerbaijani literature teacher, echoed that impact: “Our students gained so much confidence. We, as teachers, gained tools to better support them.”

What emerged was more than training—it was trust. It was the beginning of lasting professional relationships that continue to shape classrooms today.

A Community Celebrates

The first phase of Seeds of Light culminated in June with a sense of shared pride and possibility. What started as an act of compassion had become a vibrant model of educational outreach—one rooted in humility, human connection, and hope. In those final moments of the school year, it was clear: this wasn’t the end. It was a beginning. Families felt seen. Students felt capable. Teachers felt empowered. And a community once silenced by conflict found its voice through learning.

More Than a School Project

Seeds of Light isn’t just a good idea. It’s a living example of what education can and should be—responsive, relational, and radically hopeful. It embodies what it means to lead with purpose, to teach with empathy, and to build not just classrooms, but communities. For the EAS team, it’s a reflection of their core values: Empower, Achieve, Sustain, and for the wider COBIS network, it serves as a shining example of how schools can move beyond their walls and make a real difference—locally and globally.

Looking to the Future

Inspired by its success, EAS is already in discussions to expand Seeds of Light. The goal? To connect more students, empower more teachers, and extend the reach of this model beyond borders. There are plans for new partnerships, more immersive learning, and even cross-country student-led projects—all grounded in the belief that every learner, no matter where they come from, deserves the chance to shine. Because that’s what Seeds of Light really is—not just an initiative, but an invitation. To learn. To lead. To hope again.

In a time of darkness, Seeds of Light illuminated the way, and it’s still growing.