Tbilisi.Leave no one behind" - A focus group research has been conducted and 118 people involved into the processes. This comprehensive study, conducted by experts utilizing meticulously crafted research tools such as desk research, in-depth interviews, and focus groups, aims to delve into various dimensions of societal dynamics. It's worth noting that as part of the "Building Inclusion for Vulnerable and Marginalized Communities in Georgia" initiative, the Charity Humanitarian Center - "Abkhazeti" (CHCA) is conducting essential social needs assessments in these 10 municipalities, with generous support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). More... Source: CHCA

Tbilisi.The DEP team has finalized working on the report for the study "Barriers to Accessing Higher and Vocational Education for Youth from Non-Dominant Ethnic Groups in Georgia." Due to the complex research design, we had the valuable opportunity to explore the challenges encountered by both ethnic Armenian and ethnic Azerbaijani youth in the process of receiving education from various perspectives. The research was carried out from March to October 2023 across seven municipalities in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli. More... Source: DEP

Tbilisi.UNDP, in collaboration with Georgia’s Civil Service Bureau, unveiled new research shedding light on prevailing attitudes towards human rights and gender equality in civil service. It analyses civil servants’ attitudes towards workplace equality practices within the civil service, examines perceptions of fundamental values of human rights, equality, and inclusion, and reveals the gaps in understanding of human rights and their respect, protection, and fulfilment. The study was conducted by the 'Applied Research Company' and supported by UNDP in partnership with the European Union, Norway, Sweden, and UK Aid from the UK Government. More... Source: UNDP Georgia 

Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies publishes new blog about Israel's Economy Amidst the Conflit with Hamas. More... Source: Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

Tbilisi.The results of PISA 2022 show that the reforms implemented in the education system of Georgia in recent years cannot provide adequate results, the system is still facing many challenges and requires additional changes. See the IDFI study, which reviews 10 reasons with a possible negative impact on the development of the education system in the country. More... Source: IDFI

Tbilisi.Climate change is exacerbating systemic problems for women in Georgia and creating additional barriers and risks. It is a crisis that increases inequalities, hinders women's access to services and limits their freedom of action - concludes a report on the impact of climate change on women. The report describes the systemic problems facing women and identifies women's income, health status and type of work as important determinants of vulnerability to climate change.  Climate Change Impact Assessment Report on Women was prepared with the financial support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) program "Promoting Environmental Protection, Climate Change Resilience and Democratic Resilience in Georgia".  More... Source: Green Alternative

Tbilisi.The "Municipality Index" project, initiated by the New Economic School-Georgia and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom's South Caucasus office, marked its 9th annual report in 2023 since its inception in 2015.The index aims to assess the business environment, living conditions, and administrative efficiency of five self-governed municipalities (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, and Poti) and 59 self-governed community municipalities in Georgia.  Notably, 41 municipalities were included for the first time in the report this year.  The Municipal Index project addresses the crucial need to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of municipal performance.  This initiative, spearheaded by the NES-G team, aims to improve local government efficiency, transparency, accountability, accessibility, and competitiveness. More... Source: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Caucasus

Tbilisi. UN Women Georgia published the National Study on Violence against Women in Georgia 2022. By the study 1 in 2 Women Aged 15-69 Experienced Violence. The National Survey on Violence against women in Georgia 2022 was conducted by the UN Women and the National Statistics Office of Georgia within the framework of the “Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Georgia” project funded by the European Union and UN Women’s regional flagship programme "Making Every Woman and Girl Count" in Europe and Central Asia. The National Study on Violence against Women in Georgia 2022 found that half of all women aged 15-69 have experienced one type of violence in their lifetime. This staggering statistic carries a weight that cannot be ignored; it reveals the urgent call for change.   More... Source: UN Woman Georgia

Tbilisi. Soviet Past Research Laboratory publishes research Abkhazia 1917-1921 - Reconstruction of Memory. The memory and public discourse concerning Abkhazia have predominantly focused on a limited number of "fundamental" narratives that were firmly established during the Soviet era and are deeply ingrained in both occupied Abkhazia and the Russian Federation in relation to Abkhazia. The Russian Federation's approach towards Abkhazia has consistently relied on these narratives, both during the 1990s as well as today. More... Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory

Tbilisi. Implementation Report of "The 2021-2022 Anti-Drug Action Plan" The purpose of this report is to monitor the implementation of the Anti-Drug Action Plan for the period 2021-2022. Its focus is primarily on the quantitative aspects of achieving the objectives and tasks outlined in the plan. The report does not delve into evaluating the substantive content of the action plan, nor does it address issues related to its scope or adequacy. More... Source: Social Justice Center 

Tbilisi.On 22 November, at Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel (29 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi), UNDP and “Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) – Georgia”, with support from Sweden and the European Union, will unveil a comprehensive study shedding light on the challenges encountered by labour migrant women upon their return to Georgia. The research will be presented as part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, showing a shared commitment to addressing and preventing all forms of gender-based discrimination. More...  Source: UNDP 

Tbilisi. Under the leadership of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, 9 civil society organizations regularly evaluate the state of fulfillment of 12 priorities defined by the EU. “The fifth edition of their assessment document – EU CANDIDACY CHECK reflects the progress achieved by the Georgian authorities in this context until the period of August 1, 2023, as well as the current state of play and the steps to be implemented in the future by the authorities so that Georgia gets the EU Candidacy Status. According to CSOs’ assessments, at this stage, one priority is fully implemented, two priorities are mostly fulfilled, seven priorities are partially fulfilled, and two priorities (deoligarchisation and political polarization) defined by the European Union are to be fulfilled. The previous EU CANDIDACY CHECK documents have shown that civil society assessments are largely in line with the interim assessment presented by the EU on 22 June 2023. From June 20 to August 1, 2023, small progress has been made in terms of fulfilling the priorities such as media pluralism and involvement of CSOs in decision-making. In the first context, the President pardoned Nika Gvaramia, and on the other hand, the government considered certain recommendations of the civil society in the process of developing a number of draft laws”. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. On July 21, 2023, at the Writers' House of Georgia, the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) presented the updated website of "Stalin's Lists".  “”Stalin's Lists” include data, archival materials and photographs about the victims of the "Great Terror" of 1937-1938 in Georgia. The “Stalin's Lists” database combines information on 3616 persons who were tried directly by the decision of Stalin and other members of the Politburo. The platform allows interested people to find information about their ancestors who were victims of the repressions of 1937-1938”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Under the leadership of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, 8 civil society organizations presented the fourth edition of an assessment document – EU CANDIDACY CHECK, which reflects the progress achieved by the Georgian authorities in this context until the period of June 15, 2023, as well as the current state of play and the steps to be implemented in the future. “According to CSOs’ assessments, at this stage, one priority is fully implemented, two priorities are mostly fulfilled, five priorities are partially fulfilled, and four priorities defined by the European Union are to be fulfilled”. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. On June 14, Civil Society Institute (SCI), in partnership with European Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Partners Georgia held a discussion meeting, which aimed at increasing the engagement of civil society and consolidation of CSOs’ visions around Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). See more… Source: civilin.org

Tbilisi. GCSD launched a fantastic STEM Camp from May 24-27 at Buckswood School as part of SHE's GREAT project! Fifty enthusiastic participants from various public schools from Sachkere, Senaki, Zugdidi, Bolnisi, Marneuli, Tserovani, Akhatsikhe,  and Tbilisi joined this engaging event. They all share a strong interest in the fields of science and technology. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. June 9 is International Archives Day, established by the International Council on Archives (ICA). IDFI presents the archival documents collected by IDFI - the so-called “Stalin’s Lists”, based on which more than 3,600 people in Georgia were victims of repression. The majority of these people were convicted under the "first category" and sentenced to be shot, together with their property being confiscated. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. GDI publishes the special Report on SLAPP cases in Georgia. “Legal disputes initiated by high-ranking political officials, members of the Georgian Dream, and others related to them on the grounds of defamation have recently become one of the tools for the restriction of media freedom. According to the observation of Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), in 2021-2023, the so-called attacks against critical media and human rights defenders initiated and significantly increased the tendency to address the Courts with SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) lawsuits. A SLAPP represents an apparently groundless defamation lawsuit initiated by politically or financially influential entities/individuals. The aim of these lawsuits is not to protect honor, dignity, or company reputation but to silence publicly active citizens and create financial barriers for them. However, SLAPPs also have a “chilling effect” beyond individual cases, undermining the development of a healthy and pluralistic environment where citizens can exercise civil initiatives”. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. Ahead of World Environment Day, UNDP’s new research sheds light on environmental education and awareness in Georgia. 9 out of 10 respondents feel the negative impact of Climate Change. 91% of respondents believe that water pollution should be punishable by the law. 90% recognize the importance of waste separation practices. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information shares the survey: Analysis of Overall Statistical Data on General Courts of Georgia 2010-2022”. “The analysis of the overall statistical data received from the Supreme Court of Georgia shows that in 2022, compared to the previous year, the number of appeals to the court for all three categories of cases has increased. The highest rate of criminal cases filed since 2010 was recorded in 2022, which can to some extent be attributed to the deterioration of the criminogenic environment in the country. It is worth noting that the share of acquittals in criminal cases has significantly increased in the last 5 years, which on the one hand may be due to the raising of the standard of evidence required by the court to prove guilt, and on the other hand to the increase in the number of criminal cases conducted by investigative agencies in an unqualified manner”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes the Newsletter for quarterly political donations. “From January 1 up to March 31, 2023, all the parties have received donations of GEL 640,569 in total. Almost half of this amount – GEL 300,000 – went to the ruling party, Lelo for Georgia ranked second with GEL 201,000, and European Georgia – Movement for Liberty ranked third with GEL 84,299”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. A new nationwide poll conducted in Georgia by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR) shows strong support for EU membership, disapproval of Russian citizens within the country, and a lack of faith in political parties. “Taking into account both the low public trust in political parties, as well as the high desire for youth in political leadership, IRI is pleased to continue its work supporting multi-party democracy in Georgia – that is, the ruling party, opposition and emerging movements – in order to ensure that citizens have a diverse range of political options available both in governance and at the ballot box. This survey was made possible by the generous support of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network