Tbilisi. On the 9th of November in Tbilisi was held presentation on Continuous Training System of LSG civil servants, organized by the LEPL vano khukunaishvili center for effective governance system and territorial arrangement reform and the United Nations Development program (UNDP) - "Fostering Regional and Local Development in Georgia (RLD)" funded by Swiss Cooperation Office for the South Caucasus (SCO) and Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). ''Continuous Training System of LSG civil servant was presented by the maka kordzadze - acting director of center. The aim of presentation was to enhance human resource of local self-government by high quality training programs, which are adapted to the needs of the LSG civil servants'', is noted in the statement. In full… Source: Social page

Tbilisi. The first flow of participants of the online learning program on ''Common Foundations of Self-governance'' completed the learning process. Participants of the program were 80 officials of self-governance from various regions of Georgia, of which 65 passed the certificate imposed limit. The learning process included 10 video lectures, reading material and relevant tests designed in regard to self-governance issues. The course was led by Irakli Melashvili. The learning process for other participants begins in the fall. The course of ''Common Foundations of Self-governance'' can be found at the online platform of Civil Society Institute. Civil Society Institute has been providing online learning programs for several years already, which include video lectures, learning materials, interaction of participants and a lecturer through a forum and an evaluation system. Based on a classical model of online learning, ''Common Foundations of Self-governance'' is the sixth course delivered by the Institute. The course is supported by the ''Open Society Georgia Foundation''.

Tbilisi. On July 8, the final conference was held within the framework of the project - ''Civil Society for Local Democracy'', implemented by the ''National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia'' (NALAG). ''Participants of the project evaluated activities, carried out within the framework of the project, and those results, which were achieved by the ''National Association of Local Authorities of Georgia'' through the support of the European Union in terms of involvement of a civil society into local decision-making process in regions of Georgia'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization in a social network. In full… Source:The web-page of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. On the 24th of June, 2016 was held the second advisory board meeting of Continuous Training System of Local Self-Government Servants organized by the LEPL Vano Khukhunaishvili Center for Effective Governance System and Territorial Arrangement reform. On the meeting were attending representatives of the different ministries, municipalities and the representatives of local and international donor organizations interested in the field of training system of civil servants. In full… Source: Social page

Tbilisi. On June 16, the organizations ''CIDA'' and ''Fair Elections'' held a conference on ''The Activity of Self-Government Bodies and the Decentralization Process – Evaluations of Civil Society Organizations''. ''… The purpose of the report, which the organizations presented to the interested parties today, was to gather evaluations, made by civil sector regarding self-government reforms and activities during the last period, in order to better demonstrate our vision on effective solution of revealed problems to the society'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.isfed.ge

The Civil Society Institute has posted a new learning program "Common Basics of Self-governance” on the online platform (www.e-learning.ge). The course is designed for self-governance officials and is led by Irakli Melashvili. Within the framework of the online learning program selection of participants was announced. The number of interested applicants exceeded 400. On June 7, the first flow of participants of "Common Basics of Self-governance” started the learning process. 80 officials from various regional self-governments of Georgia take part in the program. The learning process involves 10 video lectures, related to self-governance issues, reading material and relevant tests. Financial support of the project is provided by the "Open Society Georgia Foundation".

Tbilisi. ''Transparency International – Georgia'', based on public information received from 44 municipalities of West Georgia, has studied gender representation in local self – governing authorities. "At the Councils and Boards/City Halls of the municipalities of West Georgia women do not occupy significant decision - making positions..." – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On March 16-28, 2016, "Transparency International – Georgia” conducted a survey across the country, which was carried out by the "Caucasus Research Resource Centers" (CRRC) on the order of the organization. 2032 individuals participated in the survey. ''Analysis of the results reveals that the population of self - governing cities evaluate the performance of local self – governance far more negatively, than the electorate of remaining municipalities – the performance of a municipality governor / council: On the question whether who represents the interests of citizens the most of all, 7% of inquired have responded that it is the municipal council as such, while in self – governing cities, regarding the council only 3% have responded positively to the same question'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On April 19, the hotel Ambasadori hosted final, summarizing event of the "Georgia Applied Research Facility - Regional Development" (GARF-RD) program. As you know, in the context of the association with Europe, it is of great importance for Georgia to lead a regional development policy, implemented on the basis of researches and evidences. To respond to mentioned challenges, in May 2014, the Civil Society Institute (CSI), through the financial support of the European Commission Mission in Georgia and the coordination of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, started implementation of a regional development program (2014-2016 yrs.) - "Georgia Applied Research Facility - Regional Development" (GARF-RD). The project aimed at: 1.Providing support to analytical centers, operating in Georgia, in the process of preparation of public policy documents for specific areas of regional development; 2.Interconnecting analytical centers, working in the field of regional development, and discussing elaborated visions with the government. Within the frames of the project 10 public policy documents were worked out in two directions: a) regional policy management, local self-governance and competitiveness of regions; b) policies territorial impact analysis. The final meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, the project coordinator from the European Union, the public organizations, members of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, the experts in regional development and self-governance issues, the representatives of analytical organizations and academic institutions.

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Institute has started production of a new online training course with a financial support of the "Open Society Georgia" Foundation. Video lectures, which are led by Irakli Melashvili, provide an overview of all aspects of self-governance and are designed for self-government officials. Besides video lectures the course participants will be able to get familiarized with the relevant literature, to pass tests and to be evaluated according to the received knowledge. Western standards-based online learning model also provides an opportunity for any interested individual to listen to the course of lectures and to improve knowledge. The training course on "Distance learning for effective self-governance” will be uploaded on the online platform - www.e-learning.ge. We remind that on the mentioned site there are uploaded five more training courses of the Civil Society Institute: election law, social research methods, advocacy and lobbying, public policy analysis, public finance. Thus, very soon ... without leaving the house, you will be able to improve your knowledge about self-governance issues at the convenient time for you.

Tbilisi. "Transparency International - Georgia" within the framework of the Association "Atinati" project- "Community Involvement for Democratic Self-governance" held meetings in 30 villages of the Zugdidi municipality. "One of the goals of the meetings was to identify problems existing in the villages and to submit them to the relevant public agencies. The local population identified 131 areas of concern in total" – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source: transparency.ge

Kakheti. The women community-based organization has been established in the Pankisi Gorge with the support of a non-governmental organization "Center for Civic Activities". The Board members have elected Leila Achishvili as the leader of the community-based organization for the 4-year term. In full... Source: activities.ge

Tbilisi. It is mentioned in Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Strategy that involvement of local governments in the work of Anti-Corruption Council and supporting anti-corruption activities at the local governments is vital for an effective implementation of the Anti-Corruption Strategy. ''Therefore, IDFI believes that ensuring openness and transparency in local governments is very important for an effective functioning of the local governments and prevention of corruption. Raising awareness on the threats, effects of corruption among citizens as well as civil servants, and establishing preventive mechanisms is vital. In order to achieve above-mentioned goals there must be basic methods to prevent corruption e.g.: eradication of conflict of interest, implementing the code of ethics, raising awareness of the civil society and ensuring their engagement in anti-corruption activities, conducting trainings for the civil servants,'' is noted in the statement.  In full... Source: idfi.ge

Kakheti. With the support from Center for Civic Activities (CCA), the Women’s Community Organization has been established in the Pankisi Gorge. Leila Achishvli was elected as the leader of the organization by the board members. ''The goals of the Women’s Community Organization are women’s education, empowerment, and their involvement in social, political, cultural, and economic life, supporting women’s initiatives in the Pankisi Gorge, protecting religious and national minorities rights, strengthening democratic values, and cooperation with other organizations that are interested in women’s issues'', is noted in the statement.  In full... Source: activities.ge

Tbilisi. ''CIDA'' and ''Fair Elections'' (ISFED) have organized discussion in Gudauri on self-governance reform and challenges. ''The meeting aimed to highlight what problems the self-governance units face, how successful the self-governance reform, initiated by the government, is and how this reform should develop. During the discussion the representatives of non-governmental organizations had the opportunity to express specific opinions on self-governance issues'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source: www.cida.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia releases the recommendations for the draft budget of the municipality of Zugdidi for the year 2016. ''We consider that while identifying the priorities of the budget, the municipality must, by all means, refer on respective studies, which should be performed before elaborating the draft budget and it has to consider the interests of all groups of citizens, living in the municipality, as much as possible. Otherwise the priorities may be selected incorrectly, which creates the risk of misleading and inefficiently spending the budget'' – is stated on the web-page of the organization. In full… Source:www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Conference on introduction of Gender Equality Principles in Local Government was held at Tbilisi Marriot Hotel on October 29-30 organized by Un Women, Women’s Information Center and Taso Foundation. In full... Source: Social Network

Tbilisi. According to the statement of "Fair Elections” (ISFED), as a result of submission of the claim to the court, the local self-governing authorities have released public information. The organization considers that "it is important the local self-governing authorities realize those responsibilities, which they have towards the citizens and provide them public information without any restriction. This, on one side, strengthens democratic control, while on the other side facilitates formation of transparent and accountable institutions” – is stated on the web-page of "Fair Elections”. In full… Source:www.isfed.ge

Tbilisi. "Transparency International - Georgia" has released a new blog post - Women in Self-Government: Gender Balance in the Municipalities of Western Georgia. The organization has studied current situation in 37 municipalities of Western Georgia. Under the 2014 survey, only 12% of the Local Council members were women, and men held leading positions in the municipalities. According to the organization, compared to last year's surveys the situation this year has not changed radically either. Read more... Source: www.transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Civil Society Institute (CSI) has published a publication "Policy Documents” in the framework of the project "Georgian Applied Research Facility - Regional Development" (GARF – RD). This publication is the first volume of public policy papers developed as part of the Regional Development Program and includes five policy papers on the following topics: 1.Border, trans-border and trans-national regional cooperation; 2.Territorial optimization - urban and rural development; 3.Compliance of regional and infrastructural development policy with the priorities of the EU Association Agreement; 4.Local transport; 5.Public utility sector - water supply. This publication is designed for representatives of Georgia's central and local authorities, as well as Georgian and international analytical centers and academic circles, so that Georgia's regional development is discussed widely. Publication is developed by the Civil Society Institute with financial support from the EU. Author organizations are responsible for its content: "Caucasus University Fund", "Gori Information Center", "Economic Policy Research Center" (EPRC), "Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia" (CSRDG), "International Foundation for Sustainable Development - Georgia". Policy Documents....

Tbilisi. The Young Lawyers' Association has released comments on draft amendments to the Local Self-Government Code and the accompanying statutory acts. For the full text... Source: gyla.ge