Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes a podcast, in which there are discussions about mono-industries as well as diversification of the economy, opportunities of employment policy, and its effectiveness in such regions. "If we generate the ratio between the number of people employed in the mining sector and the total labor force, we will see that Georgia does not represent an economy dominated by an extractivist labor market. However, on the other hand, the fact that there are no other alternative employment opportunities in mono-industrial regions makes this sector of the economy extremely important in mono-industrial and similar resource-dependent regions”. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Fair Labor Platform releases a statement in regard to death of two and injury of one electricians, employed at JSC “Georgian Railway”, during dismantling of a high voltage transmission line support structure on September 17 in the city of Kutaisi. “The issue of working conditions of those employed at high-risk work places is still problematic and acute in the country. Despite certain changes made at the legislative level, the state is still unable to create fair and safe working conditions for those employed at high-risk work places. Work of people employed at such facilities is extremely vulnerable and dangerous for both their life and health”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center, on September 16, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the implementation of the Association Agreement signed between Georgia and the European Union, which, along with other issues, touches upon shortcomings of labor legislation in Georgia.  EMC once again calls on the Parliament of Georgia to support the package of amendments to labor legislation and, together with other important regulations, ensure the establishment of full-fledged labor inspection.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. Social entrepreneurship, how does it functions in practice in Georgia, howdo social enterprises themselves and their ecosystem look like? If you are interested in these issues - you have the opportunity to get acquainted with them in latest 2 studies of the Civil Society Institute. Georgian practice reviews current state of social entrepreneurship and includes an analysis of operating environment. Social enterprises, operating in Georgia, are analyzed in the review in terms of type of activity, goals, legal form, and etc. Study: Social entrepreneurship in Georgia (Practice review, author -EkaDatuashvili), 2020 ... The subject of the second study was familiarization with European experience on social entrepreneurship, characteristics of social enterprises and favorable environment for them. It is noteworthy that an ecosystem, necessary for social enterprises, consists of four main components. These are: opportunities for self-organization; visibility and recognition; access to resources; research, education and skills. Study: Social entrepreneurship, social enterprises and their ecosystem, 2020 (authors - Ekaterine Danelia, Mariam Latsabidze, Nino Samsonidze) ... The studies have been carried out on the order of the Civil Society Institute in collaboration with the Social Enterprise Alliance Georgia and with the support of the International Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ICNL).

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to an unfortunate incident that occurred at a mine in Shukruti, Chiatura, and resulted in death of a 46-year-old miner. EMC calls on the state to ensure safe work. “The accident took place on August 24 of the current yearat a VakeTkeOtkhi (plain forest four) mine. According to reports, a tractor ran over the miner during the working process. Working conditions of people employed atChiatura mines remain tough for years. Along with low remuneration, labor rights of those employed are systematically violated. Employees risk their life and health on a daily basis due to non-compliance with labor safety rules”. Read more… Source:emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender addressed a general proposal to the Parliament of Georgia urging it to prepare legislative amendments related to introduction of paid internships at public institutions and provision of broader employment opportunities to interns.  The Public Defender underlines importance of an internship for development of professional skills of young people and points out that the current system in Georgia promotes social exclusion of those who, from a financial point of view, are unable to apply for an unpaid internship and, respectively, to start their professional development from early stages.  Read more…  Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. The Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies published a blog by Vladimer Papava, Senior Fellow at the Foundation – “Georgia’s European Way During the Period of Pandemic Deglobalization”.  “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant influence on both the lives of individuals and the world economy, requiring the reconsideration of a number of issues. Among them, the problem of globalization deserves special attention. In particular, will the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the end of globalization as such and will deglobalization, utterly and permanently, replace globalization leading to isolationism?”, - mentioned the author.  Read more…   Source: The web-page of the organization

In partnership with the Georgia Red Cross Society and the UNFPA Georgia a socio-economic response to the COVID-19 challenges has been launched.  The project is being implemented in 4 target municipalities of Georgia. With the significant support from the UNFPA at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Georgia Red Cross Society will distribute food and hygiene parcels to vulnerable single older people over 60 years of age.  Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to the fact of dismissal of employees from Adjara Public Broadcaster and considers that their dismissal is one more obvious example of persecution of employees having critical attitude towards Director and the management of Public Broadcaster.  “Based on the initial legal evaluation, we consider that the decision of Director of the broadcaster is a legally unjustifiable one, which, in turn, clearly shows the approach of the management of the broadcaster to neutralize critically minded journalists of the broadcaster by all possible means and apply the most tough sanction like dismissal to punish them exemplarily”, - is noted in the statement released by EMC.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Delegation of the European Union to Georgia began Campaign on EU support to Georgian farmers – “A Good Harvest”.  “Over the course of the next two weeks, we told you how farmers can have 40% larger yields with 30% lower costs, and secure against challenges like drought. The EU together with the FAO have been working across the country teaching modern farming approaches, and these are the results farmers are seeing”, - is mentioned in the information the Delegation of the European Union spread.  Read more   Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the capacity building program Public Movement Multinational Georgia (PMMG) organized trainings for ethnic minority entrepreneurs residing in Ninotsminda, Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Gardabani, Marneuli, and Bolnisi Municipalities.  During the training highly qualified and experienced experts introduced the participants to the stages and ways of developing, planning and implementing a business plan. Participants, including representatives of agriculture businesses received comprehensive information on funding mechanisms through state and non-state programs, as well as on the use of tools under the Free Trade Agreement with the EU.  Read more   Source: The page in the social network

 With the support of the EU GEL 5 Million awarded to first municipalities under Pilot Integrated Regional Development Programme...  The Government of Georgia, with the support of the EU, awarded the first 11 municipalities under the Pilot Integrated Regional Development Programme with a total of GEL 5 million in grants in the area of local infrastructure and business development - of Kakheti, Imereti, Guria and Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti.  These grants are part of the Government’s GEL 220 million Pilot Integrated Regional Development Grant Programme, of which GEL 186 million will come from EU funding. The aim of the programme is to promote a more balanced territorial development and improve living standards and conditions of the population in the regions through inclusive, smart and sustainable socio-economic means.  Read more   Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Economic Policy Research Center publishes a policy document – “COVID-19 era and investment perspectives”. The document was prepared within the framework of an economic discussion platform, KAS EPRC Economic Arena, founded by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) and Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) in 2019. The platform offers analytical documents to the government and public, which documents enable stakeholders to evaluate specific outcomes and effects of initiated and, in some cases, already made decisions. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. The Public Defender responded to the business and human rights situation in Georgia and addressed the Prime Minister of Georgia in writing, considering the report prepared by the UN Working Groupon the issue ofhuman rights and transnational corporationsand other business enterprises.  In the letter, the Public Defender expressed her concern about the low rate of fulfillment of obligations under the human rights action plan, since according to information received from various agencies, despite a number of measures taken, no effective measures have been taken so far to perform a number of key tasks set out in the action plan on business and human rights.  Read more  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. The Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) publishes an article of Grigol Mgaloblishvili – “Post-pandemic world order: Perspective from Georgia”. The publication is funded by Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation - The German Marshall Fund of the United States. Read more…  Source:The website of the organization in a social network

The European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia today released a survey that assesses the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the packaging value chain businesses in Georgia... Source: EU’s page in the social network

Tbilisi. Signatory organizations express their extreme concern in regard to possible removal of fundamental records from the labor reform at the Parliament of Georgia and send an open letter to international organizations.  “This bill aims at bringing the Georgian Labor Code closer to international human rights standards and best practices. Proposed changes touch upon fundamental rights of workers, however the bill has appeared under attack from private interest and business lobby both formally at the Parliament and informally as it seems. As a result, its adoption is in jeopardy today. There are only a few sessions remaining until the end of the spring session and the risk of the bill being delayed or dropped increases gradually. This fact puts also fulfillment of obligations, committed through the Association Agreement, in doubt”, - is noted in the joint statement.  Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The marketer collected all grants announced by the United States Agency for International Development in one blog post. Check out the grant competitions and apply in case you get interested. Read more… Source:www. marketer.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes an article containing s a review of donations made in favor of the ruling party during 2019 and up to June 3, 2020, which raise questions in terms of their legitimacy and honesty of intention. “Political donations often involve risks of corruption. Companies that fund the ruling party may happen to win a large number of tenders and, thus, actually return money they have given out, or to enjoy other types of benefits or privileges. Besides, companies often bypass limits, set by law, in various ways and fund the ruling party much more than it is allowed”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes three policy documents that are related to the employment policy. These documents contain analysis of the employment policy existing in Georgia, as well as labor market structure, unemployment and social mechanisms to support those unemployed. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

The United State Government actively supports Georgia's agricultural development. The USAID Agriculture Program's innovation grants are one of the ways the United States supports agricultural development in Georgia. If you are an entrepreneur or represent an enterprise, feel free to apply for the innovation grant by December 31, 2020. For details, please visit... Source: Social network

Tbilisi. The European Union and the United Nations Development Program are launching GEL 9 million grant program to help Georgia’s rural regions respond to the economic and social challenges emerging amidst the #COVID19 crisis. „The grants are designed to boost rural entrepreneurship, create sustainable jobs, improve the management of natural resources, and promote climate action“. Learn more... Source: Social network