Tbilisi. According to findings of ''Transparency International Georgia'' (TI), part of State Attorneys - Governors and their Deputies filled in property declarations for 2018 incompletely. ''''Transparency International Georgia” studied property declarations of more than 20 officials. As a result, there were revealed 5 facts of incompletely filled in property declarations, 1 fact of activity incompatible with occupied position and 2 facts of non-transferring possessed shares to other individuals via proxy'', - the information released by TI states. Read more... Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. According to conclusion of ''Transparency International Georgia'' (TI), municipalities of Imereti do not provide public information within deadlines stipulated by legislation, whereas in most cases information provided by them is incomplete. ''While preparing studies and articles, ''Transparency International Georgia'' often relies on public information received from municipalities. In the case of municipalities of Imereti, we have experienced problems in this regard several times'', - the information released by TI states. Read more... Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. According to the information of ''Transparency International Georgia'' (TI), 43 of the 61 factions, created at city assemblies of 2017 convocation of Imereti, have not initiated any issues since the date of registration through November 1, 2018. ''Creation of a faction is a way for members of city assembly to receive a salary because member of city assembly is not a paid job. In total, more than GEL 1 million 800 thousand have been spent for labor remuneration and other expenses of officials of factions'', - is stated in the information released by TI. Read more… Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Over 20 representatives of the EU-supported Georgian Association of Local Action Groups (GALAG) took part in a three-day workshop organized by European LEADER Association for Rural Development (ELARD) in Tbilisi. The aim of the workshop was to share with Georgian LAGs European experience and knowledge in rural development, assist in the elaboration of internal and external communication plans, help in mapping main partners to build stronger platforms for advocacy and fundraising, advise on the formation of thematic working groups and on distribution of responsibilities among GALAG members. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Ajara. The Ajara Autonomous Republic is working with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme to diversify economic options and improve incomes for rural communities The Government of the Ajara Autonomous Republic (AR) has agreed to contribute €230,000 to enhance the implementation of regional components of a €10 million EU-funded project "ENPARD-3: Improving Rural Development in Georgia” aimed at promoting rural development and small and medium-sized businesses. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

EU-supported Georgian LAGs establish close partnership with the European Leader Inspired Network Community. The representatives of the EU-supported Borjomi Local Action Group (LAG) and ENPARD implementing partner organisation Mercy Corps took part in the Leader Inspired Network Community (LINC) meeting in Vienna, Austria. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how future LINC seminars could be even better: What things were learned from previous seminars and what new things could be tried out. Operators in the LINC network have reviewed the results of the several international projects they executed and discussed the future cooperation. In the scope of the meeting, the Georgian delegation discussed the ways of cooperation between the Georgian LAGs and the LINC’s European partners. Despite the fact that at present Georgia is only an associate member of EU, it was agreed that the organizers of the LINC events will invite Georgian LAGs to all LINC workshops and conferences. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International Georgia'' proposes recommendations to the Zugdidi Municipality in regard to a draft budget for 2019. ''Like the one for the previous year, a draft budget for 2019, presented by the Zugdidi Municipality for review at the City Assembly, does not completely meet the essence and goals of a program budget'', - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more... Source:www.transparency.ge

Imereti. On 16-18 November 2018, over 15 members of the EU-supported Georgian Association of different LAGs (GALAG) gathered in Kutaisi for a training in advocacy and lobbying. The aim of the training was to support GALAG members in improving their knowledge and skills in advocacy and lobbying. During the workshops a number of important topics were discussed, such as: what is advocacy and lobbying and why is the LEADER approach important to this end, what are the key aspects of lobbying and advocacy in rural development, how to conduct advocacy campaigns, etc. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Ajara. The Human Capital Analysis results in in Keda municipality of Ajara was published under the EU’s ENPARD project "Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)”. 156 page report includes results of desk research, as well as findings of quantitative and qualitative study. The publication contains information on social-economic condition, infrastructure, organizational development level, local interests and interest groups at each administrative unit in Keda municipality. The study was carried out by the Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), the partner organization of CENN. In full  Source: The organization’s webpage

Tbilisi. According to a statement of ''Transparency International Georgia'', representation of women at city assemblies of Imereti municipalities has increased. ''In comparison with results of the 2014 local self-government elections, representation of women at city assemblies of Imereti municipalities is increased. Furthermore, Chairpersons of city assemblies of three municipalities are women. Nevertheless, representation of women among local self-government officials is low'', - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source:www.transparency.ge

Ajara. Within the framework of the Keda Local Action Group initiative, Keda Municipality joined the EU initiative "Mayors for Economic Growth.” Mayors for Economic Growth (M4EG) is a new initiative of the European Union, which began operating in January of 2017 within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. The overall goal of the initiative is to support mayors and municipalities to be more active facilitators for economic growth and job creation at the local level. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Tbilisi. Up to 30 representatives of the EU-supported Local Action Groups (LAGs) from eight municipalities of Georgia, Georgian Association of Local Action Groups (GALAG) and civil society organizations met with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia at a joint workshop about rural development.  The meeting was initiated by the Ministry in partnership with the Georgian Rural Development Network (GRDN) and supported by the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Kakheti. www.visitlagodekhi.com – A new EU-supported webpage to promote touristic potential of Lagodekhi was created by Local Action Group. "Discover the genuine nature of the Caucasus, where fruitful gardens, ancient forests and sky-reaching mountains meet.” This is a description of Lagodekhi, which you will see at the recently launched dedicated this webpage, promoting Lagodekhi municipality. The webpage was created with the support of EU through ENPARD programme by the Lagodekhi Local Action Group (LAG) youth members and European volunteers. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge/en

Ajara. On his first trip outside of Tbilisi, Carl Hartzell, recently appointed Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, travelled to Guria and Adjara. During his visit he attended a series of project visits and events to showcase the practical impact of EU support in the regions of Georgia. In Guria the Ambassador consulted with both civil society organisations and representatives of the local government and the municipalities on current challenges and future perspectives for EU support. In full Source: http://enpard.ge/en

Ajara. On Saturday, 13 October 2018, the boulevard of Alphabetic Tower was transformed into "Eurovillage” for a day, taking all visitors on a journey to the European Union with fun activities throughout the day. The guests could meet various EU-funded development programmes and find out more about how the EU is helping create more opportunities for Georgian citizens. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge/en

Tbilisi. Observers of the organizations have reported that in several regions municipal officials are instructing directors and employees of non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities that receive funding from the Budget to mobilize supporters of Salome Zourabishvili and to provide certain individuals with lists of potential supporters. ''According to observers, employees of the non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities are required to fill out special pre-made forms with personal information of their family members, by indicating their name, surname, personal number, number of the electoral precinct and their relationship with these individuals. In interviews with observers, employees of non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities have stated that under the instructions of municipal officials they have been provided with special forms that each should fill out with personal information of ten supporters. They have also stated that lists are prepared in order for the presidential candidate endorsed by the Georgian Dream, Salome Zourabichvili to win in the first round of the presidential election. According to employees of non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities, previous authorities also required them to prepare such lists'', is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), within the framework of a joint project with the Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC) and Management Systems Development Center (MSDC), has started working on a local self-government index. The project tends to conduct a follow-up assessment of municipalities in terms of openness and accountability based on Local Self-Government Index. The initiative is funded by the Open Society Georgia Foundation. Learn more on this from Source: IDFI

Ajara. Within the framework of the "Keda Leader” project, which is being implemented with the support of the EU ENPARD program, Institute of Democracy, CENN and the Board of Keda Local Action Group (LAG) held meetings with sectoral subgroups of Keda LAG. The participants of the meetings, reviewed the final version of the Keda Rural Development Strategy (RDS) and its strategic directions. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Ajara. EU-supported Workshops to Present Human Capital Analysis Results were held in Keda. Up to 160 local stakeholders, including 146 members of 9 communities, 10 representatives of LAG Board and Mayor of Keda, attended 10 workshops and one meeting with the goal to solicit feedback on the human capital analysis results in in Keda municipality of Ajara. The workshops and the meeting, carried out under the EU’s ENPARD project "Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality (Keda LEADER)”, was implemented by the Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), the partner organization of CENN. In full  Source: http://enpard.ge

Tbilisi. ''Every third citizen considers that local self-government bodies do not represent his/her interests'', - this conclusion is published by ''Transparency International – Georgia''. According to an enquiry conducted in 2018, in the opinion of 32% of respondents the City Mayor does not represent their interests, and in case of a City Assembly this indicator is even more - 34%. Read more… Source:The website of the organization

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International Georgia'' has presented information about those officials of Martvili, Mestia, Poti and Khobi municipalities who filled a declaration incompletely, did not indicate their participation and/or that of their family members in commercial activities, as well as were engaged in activities incompatible with their position. Read more... Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. Women’s Information Center continues working towards strengthening gender policy at a local self-government level. ''Within the frames of this activity there was conducted a workshop, where plans for creation of a new Gender Council, renewal of an Action Plan, elaborated for implementation of gender policy on a local level, and future cooperation were set up'' – is stated on the website of Women's Information Center in a social network. Read more… Source:The website of the organization in a social network