Tbilisi.On March 23-24, the Development and Engagement Platform hosted the Networking Forum for leader women in the framework of the project “Georgian Minority Women As Integration Ambassadors”. The forum hosted speeches on the history of women's emancipation and the importance of women's involvement in the decision-making process. In addition, project participants had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion about the importance of "storytelling" in activism and receive advice from women community leaders sharing their success stories. The project "Georgian Minority Women as Integration Ambassadors" is implemented by Development and Engagement Platform in partnership with the Rönne-Stiftung , with the financial support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. More... Source: The Development and Engagement Platform  

Imereti.On March 6, 2024, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), in partnership with NGO Abkhazintercont (AIC), held a presentation within the framework of the project “Citizens for Local Development” in the village of Tsutskhvati.  The purpose of which was to introduce the goals and objectives of the project to the representatives of the Tsutskhvati community and local self-government. The meeting was attended by representatives of the local self-government, residents Tsutskhvati community, and various interested parties. More... Source: Education Development and Employment Center

Tbilisi. Local Democracy Agency of Georgia warmly invites you to attend the inaugural presentation of our upcoming "Voice of Youth in Local Self-Government" project. This event will take place virtually via Zoom. Local Democracy Agency of Georgia warmly invites you to attend the inaugural presentation of our upcoming "Voice of Youth in Local Self-Government" project.  This event will take place virtually via Zoom. More... Source: Local Democracy Agency of Georgia

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency  Georgia, in partnership with  Tkibuli District Development Fund, has started the implementation of the project "More Transparency and Accountability for Effective Self-Government".   The purpose of which is to ensure the implementation of effective self-government in the municipalities of Terjola, Tkibuli and Baghdati  and to promote involvement of civil society in the decision-making process. Within the framework of the project, a memorandum of understanding  was signed between  Local Democracy  Agency Georgia,   Tkibuli District Development Fund  and   target municipalities of the project  (Baghdati, Terjola, Tkibuli).  The project  is implemented by Tkibuli District Development Fund in partnership with Local Democracy Agency Georgia,   with the support of the ''Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership’’ programme , co-funded by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union.  More... Source: Local Democracy Agency Georgia

Guria.Members of Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti LAGs Commence Work on Local Development Strategy. The members of Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) have initiated active efforts in local development as part of the ongoing “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project, with the backing of the European Union.The Guria LAG members have already embarked on the development of a local development strategy.  During the inaugural working meeting dedicated to this strategy, the LAG members identified agriculture and its branch development prospects as a key priority. At the meeting, participants from all three municipalities in Guria discussed agricultural development and presented their respective visions. As part of the session, a SWOT analysis was conducted. More... Source: CENN

On October 17, In the Villages of Tandzia and Khatissofeli, was held the general assembly of the settlement with the representatives of the Bolnisi Municipality City Hall. At the meeting, community workers of Bolnisi municipality, self-help group members and the local community talked about local needs, after which each issue was discussed in detail. The meeting was initiated by Bolnisi self-help groups.  More... Source: TASO Foundation

Kvemo Kartli. At the end of August, representatives of the business, public and civil sectors in Bolnisi and Dmanisi had meeting. They talked about how create a platform that will make it easier for representatives of the private and public sectors to talk about each other’s needs and to discuss the country’s important economic trends and opportunities for the development of the economic potential of the municipality. During focus group meetings, representatives of the sectors expressed a high interest in the development of a public-private dialogue (PPD) platform at the municipal level and expressed their desire to be involved in the creation and development of such a space.  More… Source: USAID Local Governance Program

Samegrelo. According to the Transparency International Georgia, a petition has been officially registered at Zugdidi City Council, advocating for the implementation of the "Municipal Pet Sterilization-Castration Program". The petition has garnered an impressive 710 signatures from concerned citizens. “The idea belongs to Salome Parsvania, a passionate animal lover from Zugdidi, the petition received support from members of our Committee of Concerned Citizens who assisted in its preparation and signature collection. The petition's objective is to establish a pet sterilization-castration program in Zugdidi municipality, commencing from the 2024 budget year. Notably, citizens would have free access to this program for the initial two years”. TI Georgia urges the Zugdidi Municipality Council to diligently consider and endorse this petition within the legally prescribed timeframe. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Batumi. On June 21-22 CSI organized a kickoff event of the project Strengthening Civic Engagement and Participatory Governance Capacities in Local Governments The event was attended by the 20 representatives of the public city halls and councils of four target municipalities (Batumi, Chokhatauri, Marneuli and Dmanisi). The project aims at enhancing the capacity of four partner municipalities to routinely monitor and evaluate public participation in local decision-making processes. თhe kickoff participants got familiarized themselves with CSI’s web-based “Benchmarking Methodology” tool which will help local authorities to recognize the importance of self-assessment and strive towards improving relationships with and strengthening trust among the communities they are to serve. The participants from different municipalities shared their experience and challenges regarding citizen engagement with each other and planned next steps on how to proceed with the upcoming self-assessment process. The project Strengthening Civic Engagement and Participatory Governance Capacities is a part of USAID Local Governance Program which is financed by United States Agency for International Development USAID.

Samegrelo. In Mukhuri village, Khabaleri district 35 families are requesting the much-needed paving of roads and installation of drainage channels. With the support of the TI Georgia’s Committee of Concerned Citizens, they have submitted the request to Chkhorotsku City Hall. The organization urge Chkhorotsku City Hall to promptly address our appeal and fulfill the rightful demands of Mukhuri residents. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Organized by the members of the Committee of Concerned Citizens of TI Georgia’s Akhaltsikhe office, the organization applied to the local government with the request to arrange a sports field in the village of Arzne in Adigen. The letter is signed by locals. “In a mountain village with 16 households, where more than 30 children live, there is no sports infrastructure, recreational and entertainment space”. TI Georgia calls on the City Hall of Adigeni Municipality to consider the appeal in a timely manner and take this issue into account when making changes to the current year's budget. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. Unlocking the potential of our youth is a vital step in shaping a society that cherishes equality, embraces diversity, and champions advocacy. That is why UNDP embarked on a journey to Kakheti Euroclub with the captivating photo exhibition “Faces of Diversity”. “During our engaging discussion with the local youth, we were truly inspired by their fascinating initiatives addressing human rights, gender equality, and inclusion. While visiting Kvareli Municipality, we met with more than hundred students from five different public schools. Our discussions revolved around the right to education, the safeguarding of minority rights, and the engagement of young individuals in shaping democracy. We drove into the accomplishments attained in these areas and addressed the prevailing challenges that demand our attention. After the insightful meetings in Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Akhaltsikhe, and Kvareli, we will continue our engagement with youth in other regions of Georgia. The series of discussions with youth is supported by Norway and Sweden as part of UNDP’s ongoing projects for gender equality, minority rights, and social inclusion”. Read more… Source: The organizations page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the USAID Local Government Program, various marginalized groups in Georgia do not have equal access to or control over resources and suffer from structural poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to state services. Social exclusion of certain groups is multidimensional, encompassing socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and political factors.  “While certain strategies and state implemented programs have considerably improved the level of integration, their decision-making ability and authority is minimal at both central and municipal levels of government.  Local Governance Program’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Plan is designed to understand and deal with the complexities of aiding with better outcomes for the underrepresented groups. The Local Governance Program provides an opportunity to work with at least 22 partner municipalities throughout Georgia to ensure the underrepresented groups participate and benefit from decentralization and public sector reforms”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. With the coordination of TI Georgia’s committee of concerned citizens, the organization has submitted a statement to Zugdidi City Hall, urging them to address the issues faced by the residents of Beach Street in Chitatskari village, Zugdidi municipality. “The community members have expressed their need for the road surface to be paved, drainage channels to be constructed, outdoor lighting system to be installed, and the establishment of a water supply and sewage system”. TI Georgia requests the City Hall of Zugdidi Municipality to fulfill the legitimate demands of the citizens. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Regions. The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia has prepared a special report on the gender equality policy of the municipalities. The report evaluates the rights situation of women at the local level, existence of support mechanisms, women’s involvement and participation in the decision-making process. The research areas were the functioning of gender equality councils at the municipal level and the main characteristics of their activities, existing policy documents, segregated data and budgeting issues, support mechanisms relating to women's rights, as well as women's involvement and participation in the decision-making process. Read more… Source: ombudsman.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

Kvemo Kartli. Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) and Kvemo Kartli Regional Hub, organized another workshop for the members of the Bolnisi Youth Council on the topic "Local Self-Government Budget and its Monitoring", the aim of the workshop was to raise awareness of the Youth Council representatives on the peculiarities of the formation and functioning of the local self-government budget, planning, and execution of the self-government budget and monitoring issues. Find out more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Guria. The Members of the "Young Pedagogues Union" leadership school and youth center met the first deputy mayor of Ozurgeti municipality, Giorgi Ghurjumelidze. Adults talked about the needs in their communities: Inadequate schedule of internal traffic and the need for preferential rates for students; Environmental issues and the absence of garbage bunkers in villages; Homeless dogs multiplying on the school territory and in the streets; Dysfunctional and dilapidated buildings and related dangers; Safe access to public schools and kindergartens. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. On March 10, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) held a training for the members of the organizing committee in the City Hall of Dusheti Municipality. “At the training, the parties selected the priorities and discussed the critical organizational issues, the knowledge of which is necessary during the planning and organization of the forums. They also got to know about the innovative model of participatory budgeting and citizen which will ensure the population in Baghdati, Dusheti, and Ambrolauri municipalities be involved in the formation of the 2024 budget”. Find out more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On January 21, the final event of the educational program “Women's School for Active Membership of Civil Society” was held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.  Within the framework of the program, young women and girls living in different regions of Georgia were trained.  At the event, 13 participants of the program presented project ideas summarizing the knowledge and skills acquired during the course, the implementation of which will contribute to solving the problematic issues in their community. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On December 13, IDFI held an international conference – Good Governance Forum 2022.  The Forum theme was - Accelerating Decentralization: Best Practices and Innovative Solutions.  The event aimed to explore global trends, good practices, needs for Eastern European countries, and innovative methods to deal with their challenges in developing democratic principles and implementing decentralization reforms at the local level.  Learn more… Source: idfi.ge