“Whatever can be done at the local level should not be handed over to the Government for implementation”, - learn what self-government is and what goal it has. Listen to the podcast of Dato Losaberidze, a historian.  More (GEO)

“This world is ours, we are the state too and we have to change the environment for the better!” - says Maria, who has initiated changes in the village of Buknari in Kobuleti.  More (GEO)

You probably remember us retelling you about the Kvemo Machkhani Theater – the one that the village was built for 9 years about 150 years ago. Sandro Akhmeteli staged the first performances there, the theater had also a moving platform, and even a lot of interesting lectures were delivered on agriculture, literature, there were held meetings of the society for dissemination of literacy as well... But now, the theater is left without function and, along with many other problems, suffers also from rainwater coming through the ceiling and damaging it.  Young people of Machkhaani decided to take care of inheritance left by their ancestors. With the help of the “Knowledge Café”, they formed an initiative group and started working to give a second life to the theater. Second Life - this is the name of the campaign that local activists launched to solve the main problem faced by the theater.  They wrote a letter requesting to repair the roof of the theater, introduced it to almost all villagers, and submitted its signed copy to the local municipality. Soon, not only they received confirmation, but also repair works of the roof started…  While restoring the function, they appealed to theatrical troupes calling them to support in reviving the stage of the distinguished theater with their performances. Six theaters have already expressed their willingness to do so, which is yet impossible to implement due to the pandemic, however, both young people and residents of Machkhaani are ready to meet as well as are eagerly awaiting the restoration of ancestral traditions.  #ShareTheResponsibility because #ThisCountryIsYour 

A unique example of 150 years old community work and the self-organization of the population of the Kvemo Machkhaani village is a theater, for construction of which each resident of the village had been collecting money for 9 years. They managed to do it and on July 25, 1899, the Theater of Kvemo Machkhaani was opened with the play “Khanuma”. The architect of the building is unknown. The 2-story brick construction merges well with the urban environment of the village and, at the same time, its interior architectural concept is similar to contemporary European theaters - the building provides space for reading and the opportunity to hold various discussions or educational events. Each resident of Kvemo Machkhaani was involved in the implementation of various initiatives important for the village – they were setting priorities of the village in economic, cultural-educational or other areas and then raising funds in different ways. Results of their self-organization and initiatives are as follows: school, reading room, theater, public workshop depot-bank, pharmacy and etc. Community Development Center (CDC) and Center of Contemporary Art - Tbilisi (CCA), with the support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, searched for a lot of interesting stories of community self-organization before the occupation of Georgia, similar to that of Kvemo Machkhaani, and published a book containing them. The occupation of 1921 discouraged all kinds of motivation and initiative as in Machkhaani, as well as in other villages or regions of Georgia. Since then, initiatives were rarely heard in the village. While today, there have appeared young people thirsting for novelty and culture. One of the examples of this is the campaign, which is a chance for the second life of the Kvemo Machkhaani Theater. They invite theaters from different cities to perform in Kvemo Machkhaani. #ShareTheResponsibility because #ThisCountryIsYours

Upper Svaneti Local Action Group (LAG) Upper Svaneti unites 17 territorial units of Mestia Municipality. Its establishment was preceded by a long and complicated, but fruitful process of setting priorities of the population. As a result of meetings, there were identified problems of the community, while through joint efforts, a Local Development Strategy (LDS) of Mestia Municipality was developed.  It was also an earlier experience that helped Elene in communicating with the community. She headed a Youth Affairs Service in Mestia - “I had business communication with most of them for years. LAG unites people who are extremely in love with Svaneti”. The goal of the organization is to develop a rural economy, provide sustainable management of natural resources, increase participation of vulnerable groups, women, and youth in rural life... At this stage, LAG has announced a grant competition that is going to fund projects designed in accordance with priority issues outlined in the strategy.  At the initiative of a Youth Wing of LAG, several charity events were also held for elderly, disabled, and socially vulnerable people during the pandemic. In the first case, there were distributed food baskets to 320 families. The second campaign - “Present a New Year, deliver gifts” was carried out for the New Year and about 35 beneficiaries had their wishes come true.  Elene helps young people in the region to acquire knowledge, necessary skills, tries to mobilize them so as to let them become initiators of beneficial changes themselves in the future – “Because the municipal budget is scarce, I helped local youth to established an organization “Youth for the Mountain” to mobilize more financial resources and create new opportunities for others. I especially remember a rehabilitation project related to the operation of a youth club “Betkili”. 5 years have passed since then and “Betkili” is still a gathering place for young people (seasonally). Those visiting the club can spend their free time in an interesting way”.  Within the framework of the EXCESS project, Elene teaches also the English language to 13-17-year-olds adolescents: “It is very interesting to have relationships with people of transition age, you watch them grow and develop, and when you are happy that “they” are your students and it fills your heart with pride. Prior to meeting them, I train and prepare myself separately, continuous study and development is must for all”. Elene is also a young startupper - she purchased a plot of land in Kashkhiani independently to develop her business, mortgaged the land, and arranged an eco-friendly space there called ”Mestia Wooden Huts”.  Recently, Elene confronted a rather difficult challenge: a sudden high-voltage power burned one of the two cottages completely. The next day after the fire, her friends, students, and young people in Mestia launched a “Youth in Support of Elene” campaign immediately so as to encourage her. These people gave Elene an incentive to start renovating the hotel with new energy. “We all struggle. We may often fall, but we must not stop, a solution can always be found. We have to pass our way ourselves. We can all participate in the development of the country, we are even obliged to do so”.

Own electricity, a school where girls and boys studied together, agricultural machinery, cooperative, partnership and credit union, forge-workshops, theatrical troupe and orchestra, which also held concerts in Tbilisi… Avlevi, located in Shida Kartli, was a village of such, European type in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Find out thanks to whom it happened and, decades later, who published this unique Georgian experience as a book. see more (geo)…

Strong self-government is the basis for local development. In his letter, “Life and Law”, Ilia stated: “Self-government has a lot of enemies around the world; it deprives many people of sleep and rest unreasonably. They say it is dangerous to give society such right: they will make a fuss, exaggerate their capabilities and discontinue to obey”. Take a look at what example Ilia provided from the reality of the Europe contrary to this view. see more (geo)…