Tbilisi. On November 24, 2022, IDFI and the e-Governance Academy (Estonia) held a presentation of project ideas that aim to resolve digital vulnerabilities in Georgia, prepared by several teams of non-governmental organizations. The following CSOs presented their action ideas to resolve various digital vulnerabilities in Georgia: National Cybersecurity Association – Georgia, Data Analysis Laboratory LLC, Innovative Education Foundation / Ilia State University, Civil Society Institute (CSI), Green Alternative, Sapari, Access Foundation, Telecom Operators Association, Parents for Education, and Georgia’s Reforms Associate (GRASS). One of the selected proposals will have a chance to receive financial support to implement it. The winning proposal will be called a civic tech initiative or a pilot project and implemented until July 2023. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the "Partnership Forum 2022" held by the Global Compact Network Georgia, the idea of WIC representatives won and found funding. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

On November 28-30, the Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Nino Evgenidze, within the framework of the conference "WECHANGE - Dialogue for the Future 2022: Building Sustainable Civil Societies and Protecting Democracies in the European Union and the Eastern Neighborhood", participated in a panel discussion - “Russian imperial ambition derailing: consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine for the Eastern Partnership Region and the EU”. “I come from a country 20% of which is occupied by Russia, with the Russian troops deployed just 40 kilometers from my city, Tbilisi. Unfortunately, in 2008, the West and the World could not stop Russia in Georgia. So now, it's everyone's responsibility to support Ukraine and provide them with all the financial and military assistance they need. Ukrainians are not only fighting for themselves but also to keep Europe whole, free and at peace. We should be very grateful to them because they are sacrificing their lives to defend your and our freedom." – stated Nino Evgenidze. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. The launch event of USAID Unity Through Diversity Program was held at TBC Concept space. The Program is implemented by UNA Georgia together with partner organizations, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  USAID Unity Through Diversity is a 5-year Program that connects public and private sectors to co-address the political, social, and economic barriers to the integration of ethnic and religious minorities in Georgia. The Program works to increase minority inclusion in policymaking, expand mutually beneficial social, civic, and economic linkages between minority and majority populations, reduce the barriers to civic and economic integration, and by doing so – to strengthen Georgia’s societal resilience.   USAID Unity Through Diversity Program is implemented by UNA Georgia with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. IDFI became a local partner of the Slovakia-based independent consulting company and think-tank - Strategic Analysis. On November 15-16 IDFI got involved and presented the results of the work in the region at the international conference - “Administrative Bordner Line (ABL) issues and their challenges: what are their solutions?”. Learn more… Representatives of IDFI and Strategic Analysis signed a partnership memorandum and expressed desire to mutually work on future projects in neighboring European countries and South Caucasus. Strategy Analysis has more than 10 years of work experience in the region. Source: idfi.ge

Kvemo Kartli. On November 16, within the framework of the Civil Society Initiative project, a coordination meeting of leaders and young activists of the Kvemo Kartli regional hub - the Foundation for Civil Integration and the Regional Community and Public Organization was held. The participants of the meeting got acquainted with the work carried out within the framework of the project and plans for the future. The meeting highlighted the challenges and opportunities associated with participating in small grants programs under the project. The Meeting was carried out within the framework of the EU and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the assessment of the IDFI, the pivotal shortcoming in terms of availability and accessibility of open data in Georgia is the absence of open data legislation. “There is a need to develop data management capabilities locally, as well as the need to disaggregate centrally collected data in terms of municipal units.  There is an urgent need to update Georgia’s open data portal, as well as consistent technical support, publication of new databases, and regular update of existing data for the continued functioning of the portal. Furthermore, it is important to provide access to data through more open formats (especially API)”. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Kakheti. TI Georgia’s next regional meeting took place in Kvareli, at the Youth Center of Akhalsopeli Village, where schoolchildren with much positivity and enthusiasm greeted the speakers: Eka Gigauri, Irakli Saghinadze, and George Ushikishvili. The new generation choose the European perspective for Georgia, and the future goals that participants discussed with the speakers prove it well. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. Irakli Saghinadze, the producer of the series "My Wife's friends", together with TI Georgia’s  executive director, held interesting discussions regarding the status of EU candidacy in Pankisi. The people of Pankisi think that it is necessary to raise awareness in society, to understand well that we need to enter the European Union for our own well-being. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Kvemo Kartli. IDFI continues raising awareness about the PPD Quality Tracking Mechanism in municipalities. This time, the representatives of IDFI and the USAID Economic Governance Program conducted an info session with the representatives of Rustavi City Council and City Hall. IDFI team members presented the results of the "Assessment of the Quality of Public-Private Dialogue in Drafting Normative Acts-2020-2021". Meanwhile, the representative of the USAID Economic Governance Program spoke about program’s role in strengthening the dialogue between the private and public sectors. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information publishes the survey: Georgia's Implementation of the international sanctions imposed against Russia. “In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, one of the most prominent show of support towards Ukraine from the international community was the imposition and enforcement of strict sanctions against the Russian Federation. The government of Georgia initially refused to join the imposed sanctions on Russia on the grounds of perceived economic and political threats facing the country. The political decision to abstain from participating in sanctions, turned into an important moral and reputational obligation for Georgia not to become a means for Russia to evade international sanctions. In this regard, it is of particular importance that the Georgian authorities, in coordination with international partners, through a fully transparent process, ensure the prevention of any attempt to evade the sanctions on the customs territory of Georgia as well as the financial sector”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Samegrelo. In Zugdidi, TI Georgia shared expectations with civic education teachers of public schools about the beneficial changes that the implementation of the 12-step plan can bring on the way to getting closer to the European Union and receiving the status of a candidate country. The meeting with teachers was organized by the association "Atinati" within the framework of USAID's civic education program, which PH International Georgia implements together with partner organizations. Read more... Source: The organization's page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Kvemo Kartli. On October 28, organized by the Civil Integration Fund, within the framework of the "Civil Society Initiative" project, a meeting was held between Ms. Nino Omiadze, the head of the Sports and Youth Affairs Service of the Dmanisi Municipality and local young activists. At the meeting, they talked about the challenges and problems faced by the local youth and the management and coordination of the youth policy at the municipal level. The Meeting was carried out within the framework of the EU and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project "Civil Society STAR Initiative. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On October 31, with the participation of Georgian political parties, local and international organizations, CEC members, as well as representatives of embassies, we held a workshop on the issues of political finances, which our organization has been working on for years. The discussion touched on the challenges of oversight and transparency of political finances, as well as fundraising for parties, Russian influence, and the presence of "black" money. The participants of the workshop also expressed interesting opinions on the possible ways to solve the problems. The event was held with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On October 28, the Legal Issues Committee at the Parliament of Georgia initiated a draft law that provides for the creation of a new body – LEPL Anti-Corruption Bureau. The declared goal of the authors of the draft law is to ensure the fulfillment of Point 4 of the 12 recommendations that were given by the European Commission to Georgia as prerequisites for granting the status of a candidate for EU membership. According to the draft law, the function of the new agency will be to contribute to the fight against corruption, which it will carry out by creating anti-corruption policy documents and coordination and supervision over their enforcement. The head of the Bureau will be appointed by the Prime Minister of Georgia. It is TI Georgia’s assessment that the proposed reform fails to address recommendation 4 given by the European Commission, which asks the country to: “Strengthen the independence of its Anti-Corruption Agency, bringing together all key anti-corruption functions, in particular to rigorously address high-level corruption cases.” TI Georgia calls on the Georgian Dream not to miss this historic opportunity and to do everything possible to ensure that even the most skeptically disposed party does not have any questions on whether or not Georgia has adequately fulfilled any of the recommendations of the European Commission. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Watch USAID’s animated series to learn about being an engaged citizen. Today the organization presents the episode that covers citizen oversight. Stay tuned for other episodes. “Animated clips explain the principles of democracy and can be used in the classroom to make the teaching and learning process more fun and easier to understand. In addition, the animated clips promote the importance of civic education, raise awareness, and encourage students to engage in civic life. USAID created this series as part of its Civic Education Matters Campaign. We are working together with Georgians to promote citizen engagement with Georgia's democracy and to build democratic institutions that are responsive to citizen needs”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Within the frames of the Global Media and Information Literacy (#MIL) Week, today ISFED organized an 🇪🇺 EU-funded Conference with a panel discussion about media literacy and other means of strengthening society's resistance to disinformation.  “The EU stands ready to help Georgians become more resilient and well armoured against disinformation. Collectively, we can increase our immunity to disinformation and fight back effectively” -- the EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski said in his opening remarks. Read more… Source: EU’s page on the social network