Tbilisi. The Ambassador of France, H.E. Sheraz Gasri visited IDFI. “Giorgi Kldiashvili, the organization's Executive Director, and Levan Avalishvili, the Programs Director, introduced IDFI's activities to the Madam Ambassador. During the meeting, they discussed existing challenges to democratic reforms and the agenda for integration with the EU”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On June 22-23, 2023, the 9th annual conference of the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) - "New Frontiers: The South Caucasus Amidst New Challenges" was held. “At the aforementioned conference, during the round table discussion titled "Archival accessibility and openness in the Caucasus and Eurasia," Anton Vatcharadze, the head of the memory and disinformation studies department at the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), presented a report. In his report, he focused on the new law on "personal data protection" and the publicity surrounding the standards”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

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). Latest report of Council of Europe’s Anti-Money Laundering Committee (MONEYVAL) was discussed at the meeting as well as Georgian National Risk Assessment Report and its action plan, which is currently being work on by the Georgian government. Georgia received the lowest ranking in the report in regards to its preventive measures against potential risk of noncommercial sector being wrongfully used.  At the meeting it was underlined that CSOs are not involved in the process of assessing preventive measures, which can lead to the introduction of such measures and regulations that might negatively affect the CSO environment in Georgia.  International experts and local CSO representatives participated in the meeting during which potential measures to prevent risks according to FATF recommendations, as well as mechanisms to increase active participation of CSOs and development of self-regulation measures were discussed. Second topic of the meeting focused on the cooperation between NPOs and banks, including National Bank of Georgia’s AML/CFT policy in regards to NPOs.

Tbilisi. The Information Integrity Coalition will host its first annual conference on June 6, focusing on Russian hybrid threats, Kremlin’s various vectors of influence and existing (or lack of) Georgia's state response. The conference will feature several panel discussions by Coalition members, representatives of policymakers, academia, media, and other experts. Read more…

Kakheti. European Union in Georgia (EU) and UNDP Georgia under the Human Rights 4All project join hands with Qedeli Community to promote social inclusion, independent living, and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Sighnaghi municipality through the implementation of a personal assistant service. “The Community hosted the gathering with the representatives of Signagi as well as other municipalities from the Kakheti region to share best practices of personal assistant service. It will help to ensure PWDs in the area are able to exercise their rights and equal opportunities as everyone else. Qedeli is a dynamic, life-sharing community for adults with disabilities in Georgia that has been striving for more than two decades to overcome the stigmatization of PWDs and promote their social inclusion”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center shares the article: Georgia's Foreign Policy: The Causes and Impacts of Changes. "This article combines the opinions and views presented by experts. How would you characterize the foreign policy of Georgia during the last period of Georgian Dream rule? Especially in the last year, after the war in Ukraine? “On the one hand, the authorities point that they join dozens of international resolutions or statements in support of Ukraine, and, on the other hand, Georgia's compliance with EU foreign and security policy decisions has dropped from an already low 44% to 31% in 2022.[1] In 2022, Georgia supported only 3 out of 26 EU declarations on sanctions against Russia.[2]  The resumption of direct flights with Russia further reduced this compliance level, which is a direct blow to Georgia's EU integration process.[3] It is clear that the "declared" policy of Georgian government vis-à-vis the EU integration remains only on paper, that too in expired strategic documents”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Join us at Expo Georgia on 6 May to listen to inspiring speeches of well-known Georgians sharing their views and experiences about Europe. Check out the video below to listen to our two hosts, Tako Kvelidze and Dato Gorgiladze, share a few ideas about Europe and Georgia. Join our event and keep updated… Find out more about Europe Day… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kyrgyzstan. On April 10, 2023, the Georgian Center for Strategy and Development (GCSD) and the American University of Central Asia signed a memorandum of understanding in Bishkek. The purpose of this MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration to promote innovative and participatory approaches to implementing joint projects, virtual internships, fellowships, trainings and events, as well as to establish new networks. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. With the support of USAID, an Easter Fair is taking place at City Mall Saburtalo featuring a wide range of Easter decorations made by small enterprises. If you want to discover and purchase beautiful handmade accessories made in different regions of Georgia, then join us at City Mall (Address: P. Kavtaradze #1, the first floor). Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On 13 March 2023, the Venice Commission published an interim opinion on the draft law on de-oligarchization. The document assesses the risks stemming from the draft law and suggests potential alternative ways to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests in economic, political and public life. Taking into account the conclusion of the Venice Commission, TI Georgia considers that the government should achieve the goal of de-oligarchization not by adopting a single special law, but rather by strengthening state institutions and implementing fundamental sectoral reforms. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. The locals in Akhaltsikhe are demanding the construction of roads and drainage channels in Koriani area. “The current road conditions are hazardous during bad weather, and the improvement of the infrastructure is a crucial necessity for the residents. Moreover, other Vale residents also need to travel through this section to access their arable land”. TI Georgia urges the Akhaltsikhe Municipality Mayor's Office to address the request promptly and meet the demand of the locals. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. On March 29, 2023, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, visited the arbitrarily built “dream town” in the city of Batumi and learned about the situation of its inhabitants. “The homeless citizens of Georgia, resettled from the mountainous Adjara region, have been living in the conditions of faulty water supply, sewage and electricity systems for more than 10 years. Due to the lack of road infrastructure, it is also difficult for children to get pre-school and secondary education”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. PHR needs the help of friends. “The organization is asking for your help in covering our utilities and office rent for the current month (March 2023) so that we can continue to operate and not face the threat of office closure. Specifically, we will cover the following costs: Electricity, natural gas, GWP, cleaning, internet, phone, and Georgian post service”. The total amount is 927.10 (nine hundred and twenty-seven lari.  JSC „TBC Bank“, Account number: #GE88TB7589036080100003 Partnership for Human Rights. In subject write donation. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. “Rights Georgia” has launched Stateless.ge, a new Statelessness Portal. https://stateless.ge/en Persons who live in Georgia but do not possess citizenship of any country will be able to get comprehensive information about their rights and important public services through the special web portal - Stateless.ge. The Statelessness Portal was created by “Rights Georgia” with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).  Read more… Source: stateless.ge

Tbilisi. According to the Human Rights House Tbilisi, 176 people applied for professional practice in our organization. “We are happy that there is such a strong desire to continue working in the human rights-defending organization”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. "Helping Hand" will hold its annual Volunteerism Fair in Tbilisi on March 10, 2023. With the support of Peace Corps volunteers, the event was established many years ago. The event's goal is to promote volunteering as one of the most potent instruments for the development of a democratic society, as well as to encourage the active participation of young people and citizens in general in volunteering programs. At the event, volunteers, including students and those from schools, can register and learn more about specific projects. Up to March 3 of this year, organizations interested in participating in the Volunteerism Fair can register here... The National University of Georgia is the event's partner. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Anna is a human rights lawyer and defends the rights of women, children and people with disabilities in court. “She received her law degree from the University of Texas (LLM) and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (M.A. and B.A.). Anna's work experience also includes the non-governmental sector: she has worked for the Partnership for Human Rights since 2013. From 2018-2019 she was head of the Children and Youth Coalition. From 2009-2013, she was the head of the Children's Rights Center and the Gender Equality Division of the Public Defender of Georgia. Before, Anna was the executive director of the organization”. Read more… Source: phr.ge

The EU has adopted sanctions in response to Russia’s unprecedented and unprovoked military attack against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The measures are designed to weaken Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war. Learn more… Source: www.consilium.europa.eu

Tbilisi. Car accidents are one of Georgia's leading causes of death and injuries. In order to raise awareness on road safety issues, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, launch a joint campaign “Better and safer roads for Georgia”. Together with European Investment Bank - South Caucasus, European Union is supporting this campaign to help reduce road accidents and improve road safety in Georgia. More info… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. According to CENN February is Zero Hunger month. “In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Georgia ranks 22nd out of the 121 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2022 GHI scores. With a score of 5.7, Georgia has a level of hunger that is low… One of the primary goals of the global community, including Georgia, is to create a world that is free of hunger by 2030. You can be part of solving this problem by supporting local, safe and healthy production. Download the calendar and follow the monthly tips… Join us on Instagram and participate in our fun monthly quizzes”… Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. From January 25-28, 2023, events celebrating the First Republic of Georgia took place in France, initiated by IDFI in partnership with the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia and the Embassy of Georgia in France. During the event, an external meeting was held in Levil where the delegation participated in an official event at the Levil City Hall and met with the Mayor. Afterwards, they toured Levili's chateau, manor, and the cemetery of Levili's Georgian ancestors. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge