Samtskhe-Javakheti.On October15, within the framework of the "Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program", the organization Akhaltsikhe Youth Center has announced a contest on social media issues for the pupils of the Samtskhe-Javakheti public school.Topic of the contest is "Pros and cons of social media".According to the contest requirements, interested persons must create blogs or use already created ones for posting the information, drawings or photos depicting the positive and negative sides of a social media.Deadline for submitting the contest works is October 23.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Akhaltsikhe-based NGO "Samkaro" (universe) launches a six-month project for the pupils and students, funded by the Government of Taiwan. The project aims at actively involving the youth in environmental issues.Rational use of natural resources, recycling, composting and sorting out of waste – these are the topics that the youngsters will be trained in at the first stage.According to the Director of environmental union "Samkaro" Nana Zubashvili, at the next stage these youngsters will become mentors themselves and will train pupils of primary grades in environmental issues.At the end of the project the exhibition of works and contest to identify the best logo - do not litter - will be organized. This inscription will be placed on 500 bags, which will be specially sewn and presented to the children in kindergartens.

Tbilisi. In partnership with SIQA, as part of the program "Youth in Action" the Dutch CSO in Tbilisi has organized the training course from September 25 to October 3 in the "European Identity and Democracy". 35 youngsters from 4 countries, including 8 Georgians, have participated in the project. Project participants were observing the election process in various districts of Tbilisi in the capacity of international observers. For full text (Geo) Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. As part of the "Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program", the training was held on October 10 and  11 in the Association "Biliki" (path) for the students of the Gori-based and Gori Municipality schools in "Advocacy - Grounds for Social Changes". First day of the training was dedicated to theoretical knowledge, and among the discussed topics were the notion and purpose of advocacy, effective advocacy campaign and its stages, various roles of the process managers, types of advocacy, and management and monitoring of advocacy results. Group work was organized on the second day - the participants chose a problem of concern to them and discussed the ways of its solution. The presentations were delivered after the group work on how would they plan the advocacy process in order to solve the selected problems. The participants expressed the desire to deliver similar trainings directly in the school clubs and educate their peers and other students by informing them on advocacy. 22 adolescents from various schools have participated in the training. In the near future it is planned to deliver the training "Advocacy - Grounds for Social Changes" for the students of the Khashuri and Kaspi Municipality public schools.

Adjara.On October 9, the volunteers of the youth association "Droni" (times), who have arrived in Georgia through the "European Volunteer Service", met with the Batumi-based youth organizations in the Batumi Office of the Public Defender. The meeting included the presentation of the project "Caravan of Volunteers", which is implemented in various regions of Georgia for the second consecutive year. Main objective of the "Caravan of Volunteers" is to travel in various regions and municipalities, get familiar with the human and children's rights environment in local organizations and schools, as well as to popularize these rights through various activities. Their Batumi-based partner is the CSO "Borjghali".

Imereti. The United Nations Association of Georgia implements the project "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" with the support of the US Agency for International Development. One of the key components of the project is to stimulate civil activities at local and national level through initiating public discussions and promoting citizen participation in public affairs. The Advancing National Integration project organizes for the youth various trainings and target seminars. The youth component of the project aims to promote democratic and liberal values and establish the youth civil network countrywide by raising civil awareness among the youth in the regions of Georgia. As part of the project, the Kutaisi Youth Center announces the selection of youngsters of 15-21 years of age. Within the project framework the youngsters will be able to plan and implement various volunteer projects. In addition, the project foresees to connect youngsters living in various regions and make them friends through the exchange, inter-regional joint projects. The program's page

Guria. In parallel with renewing the education process, the Guria Youth Resource Center continues meetings in the Guria Region as part of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program. The program is implemented by PH International, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development and in partnership with the Guria Youth Resource Center. Following the summer holidays, the youngsters involved in the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program have been actively engaged in the club life. The meeting was held on September 20 with the members of the civic club of the Public School #1 of the Chokhatauri Municipality. Several new members have joined the club this year. Discussed at the meeting were the events to be implemented throughout the current education year. The weekly meeting time-table was drawn up. As of now the club has 20 members. The students of the Chaisubani Public School of the Chokhatauri Municipality were rather active as well. 18 members have attended the meeting held on the same day on September 20. Several problems experienced by the community were identified when working on the future plans, in respect of solution of which the club intends to develop the strategy in the near future. Interesting meeting was held on September 24 with the members of the civil club of the village Bakhvi Public School of the Ozurgeti Municipality. Composition of the civic club was renewed and the new leader was elected. Another important news is that the civic club was established in the Ozurgeti Public School #1 on September 25. The club was established on the base of the initiative group acting in this school as part of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program.

Guria. On September 26, the Guria Youth Resource center has organized the field consulting meeting as part of the small grants component of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program. The meetings were held in the public schools of villages Supsa and Nigvziani of the Lanchkhuti Municipality. The civic club member children and supporting teachers from the public schools got acquainted with the topics and objectives of the small grants competition.

Samtskhe-Javakheti.On September26, the Akhaltsikhe Youth Center has hosted the guests from the Aspindza Public School's Civic Club. The Club members have been advised by the representatives of the Youth Center on drawing up the co-funding letters and the correct budget planning. Such meetings are held in the Youth Center on a systematic basis, which promotes active involvement and cooperation of young students in the civic clubs.

Imereti. On September20 and 21, the training in "How to hold the pupils' self-government elections" was held for the students as part of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program. The freshmen, sophomores and juniors of the Kutaisi-based target schools have participated in the training. The participants got familiar with the laws on the pupils' self-government and practiced the procedures related to the pupils' self-government elections. 43 students have participated in the training. Based on the acquired experience the students will plan and hold in their schools the pupils' self-government elections, which will be monitored by the Kutaisi Education, Development and Employment Center. For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

Tbilisi. On September 20, the project on the multi-cultural summer school was presented in the "Cultural Relations Center - Caucasian House". Shown at the presentation were the photos depicting the camp life and the documentary, as well as the short film made as part of the project with participation of children. The multi-cultural summer camp was held from August 8 to August 19, 2012 in Pshavi, withi participation of the students and teachers of the multi-national week-end school of the "Cultural Relations Center - Caucasian House", and other personnel. During the camp, students were trained in interactive lessons, film-making, the Georgian and Russian languages, and the intellectual and sports competitions were organized. Two excursions to the Vazha-Pshavela Museum and village Tkhiliana and two walking trips to Zemo Kanatia and Chargali were organized. The project was funded by the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation. For full text (Geo) Source:

Imereti. On September 21-23, within the framework of the exchange program, the members of the Marneuli Youth Center have visited the Kutaisi Education, Development and Employment Center. They have visited the day center of the children with disabilities and have presented books to the children. In addition, the training-course was delivered for the participants of the exchange program in the issues of active citizenship and protection of civil interests, where the participants have discussed active citizenship, leadership, protection of civil interests, civil engagement of the youth, etc. During the visit, the film "In the Name of Love" was shown and discussed. The youngsters have discussed the importance of introducing the inclusive education and the protection of persons with disabilities. On September 23 the members of the Youth Center have organized the event called "We Are Tolerant". Total of 30 youngsters have participated in the planned activities of the exchange program. For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

Adjara. On September 15, the members of the school civic clubs of the Adjara Region have celebrated the International Day of Democracy in Batumi. Members of the civic clubs have congratulated the citizens in the coastal park with this day, discussed with them the notion and importance of democracy, disseminated information brochures and urged them towards active citizenship. For full text Source: civics.ge

Shida Kartli. The CSO "Biliki” (path) will organize the discussion on September 21 in relation to the International Day of Peace. At 4 pm the march will take off in the streets, where the rally participants will celebrate the International Day of Peace. In parallel to the marching, the beneficiaries of "Biliki’s” day centers and the center for well-being of persons with disabilities will start coloring the asphalt with the peace drawings, who will be later joined by the march participants as well. Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Imereti. As part of the Civic Education and Teachers’ Training Program, the cleaning event was organized in the school yard on September 19 at the initiative of the civic club of the Kutaisi Public School #32. The club members, students of the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th grades and teachers of the same school were involved in the event. The Civic Education and Teachers’ Training Program is implemented by the organization PH International, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

Imereti.On September 14-16, 2012 within the framework of the project "Leaders’ Academy,” which is implemented by the Polish organization "Foundation for Sustainable Development (FER)” in partnership with the Tkibuli District Development Fund, CENN, Elkana, and the Black Sea Eco-Academy (BSEA), training on leadership skills was organized in the village of Satsire, Tkibuli municipality. The training was attended by the beneficiaries of the aforementioned project from the Keda, Ambrolauri, Chiatura and Tkibuli municipalities. The training aimed at the establishment and development of leadership skills. The trainings were conducted by the trainers invited from Elkana, CENN, BSEA and the Municipal Youth Centre of Terjola. The final segment of the training was devoted to the discussion of the pilot project proposal, which the beneficiaries will implement within the framework of the "Leaders’ Academy” project. As the next step of the project, trained participants will take part in a study visit to Poland and meet with leaders on the local level. The project "Leaders’ Academy” is implemented with financial support of the Polish development cooperation programme 2012 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Programme "Support for Democracy”. Sourse: cenn

Guria. On September10-12, the members of the Kutaisi Youth Center have visited as part of the exchange program the Ozurgeti Youth Center, which functions with the "Young Teachers' Union". The exchange program is carried out within the framework of the project – "Enhance National Integration in Georgia". The project is funded by the US Agency for International Development and implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia. The exchange program aims to promote friendship between the youth centers, develop joint future projects, and familiarize with the region's traditions and monuments of cultural heritage. Apart from the meetings and discussions, the three-day program included visits to the monuments of Ozurgeti and the volunteer activities. The youngsters have visited the Shemokmedi, Likhauri and Acha churches and monasteries and the elderly house based in Anaseuli, where they have implemented various interesting activities together with the elderly. In the near future members of the Ozurgeti Youth Center plan to visit Kutaisi.

Imereti. The meeting of the journalist workshop was held on September 13 within the framework of the Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program. The freshmen, sophomores and juniors of the Kutaisi schools have attended the meeting. At the meeting the students have discussed the purpose and role of a journalist. For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

Imereti. A training in social media was held on September 10, 11 and 12 for the pupils of Baghdati-based public schools. Training participants have received information on the social media and performed practical exercises as well – for instance, they have registered blogs. The training was organized as part of the project "Informing the youth for expressing their opinion and action" and it was delivered by Mariam Kveliashvili. For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

ShidaKartli.The teenagers of day centers of society "Biliki” have visited Akhaltsikhe on September 12. Children have visited the renovated city and fortress Rabati, where they have spent the whole day together with the centers’ teachers. Children have returned from the trip satisfied and full of impressions.

Adjara. On September 13, the union "Progress” promoting the development and cooperation has presented in the conference hall of the ShotaRustaveli State University in Batumi the results of the study – "on the interests and needs of the Batumi youth”. This study aimed to collect, process and analyze the information on the problems, needs and opportunities of youngsters of 15-29 years of age living in Batumi. The analysis of qualitative and quantitative study has demonstrated the indifferent attitude of the young living in Batumi towards various youth projects of the state-run and non-governmental organizations. In addition, based on the study results, low level of awareness was identified as one of the key problems of the youth. The study was carried out with the support of the Sport and Youth Department of the Batumi City Hall.

Tbilisi. The leaders of civic clubs of the Tbilisi region of the Civic Education and Teachers’ Training Program and the Tbilisi Office of Oikos International have established Oikos Junior in September. The leaders of civic clubs have become the members of the supervisory board. Oikos Junior will focus on the sustainable economic development and ecological projects and will start implementing them shortly after. Members of the clubs plan to involve their peers from various civic clubs across Georgia in the implementation of projects of Oikos Junior. For full text Source: civics.ge