Fatima Margoshvili came up with an idea to establish a library and a literary club during an inter-community training organized by the Europe Foundation. The training touched upon activism, the role, and the participation of young people in the development of society and community. After gaining knowledge and experience, she analyzed severe problems existing within the community and decided to set up a reading room. “There did not exist a public library, equipped with modern literature, in the Pankisi Gorge, neither was there a bookstore, while young people were interested in fiction or scientific literature very much”. Fatima volunteered, assumed the responsibility, wrote the project, consulted with representatives of the Europe Foundation, enquired young people about the type of literature they would be interested in, and purchased about 200 books with the support of the Foundation. Implementation of the project coincided with the pandemic period, however, this did not become a reason for hindrance. “The reading room operates in the village of Duisi in the Pankisi Gorge. This is the only place in the valley where young people can find literature they are interested in and, therefore, they visit us very often. Due to the pandemic, meeting in the library is limited, although, adhering to the rules, we still manage to gather and land books for some time”. There are also held discussions on both literacy and literature together with invited speakers at the club. Participants exchange their thoughts and share emotions about what they have read. Local youth initiated a “Put Your Book” campaign to enrich the library with books. As a result, the reading room was filled with gift books too. The National Parliamentary Library of Georgia also participated in the campaign and donated about 150 books to the Pankisi reading room. Fatima considers that volunteering and youth activism is very important for community development – “The more young people participate in volunteering activities, the sooner our environment is going to change for the better. Big things start small”...

On International Volunteer Day, we would like to introduce “Helping Hand” to you. It is a civil society organization, which brings together the highest number of volunteers in Georgia and gives all of them an opportunity to do good things... Watch the video and get to know their activities. More (GEO)

In Samegrelo, in the gorge of the Jumi River, there is a village of the same name, in the center of which a mobile library is located. Initiators are local activists - public school students and teachers. It is hard to imagine that in the 21st-century people may not have an opportunity to read the book they want, but this is the particular problem that residents of the Jumi village are concerned with. There is no library in the village and due to social problems, the population finds it difficult to buy desired books. Respectively they, and young people among them, are deprived of access to new editions. This is what turned to be the main motivation source for local activists. They have made a bookshelf, which they fill up with new editions and bring to the village center once a month. They made a sketch of the bookshelf, studied the library work, and release books all by themselves. Books have been purchased within the framework of the project – “Future Generation”. It is implemented by PH International with funding from the United States Agency for International Development and with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of Georgia. The project is coordinated by “Atinati” Association, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regional hub. Tamar Zhvania, a public school teacher in the village of Jumi, has been actively involved with students in the creation of the mobile library, she says that the pandemic made certain changes in their initiatives and some of them are therefore implemented online. According to Tamar, the most interesting appeared to be the online book reading week - students, community residents read excerpts from their favorite books and shared them with each other through social media. As a result of the project, a lot of interesting books became available to the population of the village of Jumi. They were given the opportunity to get acquainted with both old and new editions. Teamwork with students is the main motivator for the activism of Tamar Zhvania, a teacher. She considers that teamwork will enable them to turn many more ideas into reality.

Initially, an Eco club of the Maradisi village counted only four members. The idea of creating it came to one of the school students, which soon became a reality and in the very first year of launching the club they took second place in the Niko Ketskhoveli school competition. Children started collaborating with the European Foundation, Marneuli City Hall, televisions, radio, the Center for Civic Engagement and various non-governmental organizations. Read more (GEO)

Are you interested in what questions children ask in regard to education and bulling related issues? Watch their conversation with Siko Janashia, a co-founder of the Charity Foundation “Borani”.

A social enterprise “Knowledge Café” was established in 2016 within the framework of the N(N)LE “Civic Initiative”, and serves to increase participation of young people and elderly in civic life. This is a unique space where it is possible to conduct cultural-educational and entertainment events for people of all ages. More... (GEO)

She was born and raised in Tetritskaro. Three years ago she founded an organization “Youth Center”. She studied challenges of youth at 83 settlements in Tetritskaro and eventually established a youth center, which today has become the only place for youth gathering and an integral part of the community. Learn about activities of a person, who has changed a lot in Tetritskaro. see more (geo)…