Tbilisi.The Soviet Past Research Laboratory (Sovlab) condemns the placement of an icon entitled Holy Matrona of Moscow blesses Stalin in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.  The presence of this icon in the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the eve of the 103rd anniversary of the occupation of Georgia by Soviet Russia that started precisely on the initiative of Joseph Stalin, is an insult to the memory of the victims of Soviet Russian totalitarianism. Sovlab calls on the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church to clearly state its position on the figure of Joseph Stalin. If this position is negative, we call on the Patriarchate to ensure that the icon is removed from the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory

Tbilisi. On January 17, at 11:00 the Grassroots Human Security Grant (GGP) Program of the Embassy of Japan in Georgia will conduct a public consultation meeting for the potential applicants who plan to send GGP application by February 15, 2024.  More detailed criteria and application forms can be found here More...   Source: Embassy of Japan in Georgia

Tbilisi.Don't miss out on your opportunity to ask any questions about the EU's work in Georgia or its support for Georgia's journey towards EU membership. You still have time until January 10, 2024. Feel free to send your inquiries via direct message on European Union in Georgia Facebook page.  The EU Delegation to Georgia team is ready to respond! More…  Source: European Union in Georgia Facebook page

The web-page of Civil Society Organizations wishes you. happy New Year!!! At the same time we hereby inform you that CsoGeorgia.org will resume its work from January 8.

Tbilisi.This table is a useful tool for both harm reduction organizations and psychoactive substance users.  The table describes the possible risks and dangers of different combinations of psychoactive substances. To use the table, select the two psychoactive substances, the combination of which you want to receive information.  The table is a quick tool and does not provide comprehensive information on the use of psychoactive substances in combination or their dosage. For this, you will definitely need to find additional information. More... Source: Social Justice Center

Tbilisi.With a grant issued within the framework of the USAID Civic Education Program, Kings Georgia implemented a financial literacy project.  The goal of the project was to promote financial education among students and included sessions with industry specialists, pre-tests and tests, with the Olympiad being the final stage of the project. USAID Civic Education Program Director Marina Ushveridze and Bank of Georgia CSR Head Ana Lomtadze attended the award ceremony.  During the event, 12 best students of each class category were awarded. Students who won the first place were awarded tablets from the prize fund established by the Bank of Georgia, headphones were given to the second place winners, and business literature was given to the third place winners. More... Source: USAID Civic Education Program 

Tbilisi.On December 22, 2023, the third art therapy session was held within the project "Barrierfree Safety for People with Disabilities". This project is a part of the INKuLtur-Programme implemented by Austausch e.V. and Association Anika in Georgia together with Eastern Partnership countries funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.  More... Source: Association Anika

Imereti.LDA Georgia had the opportunity to  meet representatives of civil society organizations and active citizens of Samtredia municipality.  At the meeting  was  introduced the documents prepared on the basis of the needs of civil society organizations operating in the Imereti region and providing information about announced grant competitions.   The meeting was held within the framework of the project "Civil Society  STAR Initiative'' , which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Imereti.On December 21, a Social Services Hotline Information Campaign  was held in Tskaltubo district. Highlights from the Meeting: Collaborative efforts for community welfare,  Understanding the Social Services Hotline operation, Understanding the Social Services Hotline operation, Open dialogue on providing essential services. Project Overview and Objectives Structure and Functioning of the Social Services Hotline Detailed Steps in Service Delivery and Information Dissemination. Community Engagement: Community leaders actively involved in expanding the outreach of the hotline, ensuring efficient information dissemination to those in need. This initiative falls under the EU4Dialogue project, reflecting a commitment to fostering dialogue and positive change.

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. With the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia in cooperation with the Sighnaghi Municipality City Hall, in order to create municipal social services in Sighnaghi Municipality, developed the program "Daytime Activity Center of the Older Generation". The program is planned considering the rights-based social service standards and participatory approach, by a multi-sectoral group (representatives of the City Hall, civil sector and service users) established in the City Hall .Program was developed within the project “Partnership for Municipal Social Policy”.   More... Source: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Georgia

Tbilisi. On December 20, with the support of USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, an online information meeting was held for parents with MD, pediatrician Konstantine Chakhunashvili as part of the project "Advocacy of health services for people with Down syndrome". Parents can also apply to Konstantine Chakhunashvili Tsitsishvili's new children's clinic, or to Davit Abuladze's Georgian-Italian clinic. It is very important for parents to have information about their children's health. Timely communication with the doctor can avoid many complications. More... Source: Georgian Down Syndrome Association

Tbilisi. Empowering Circular Solutions in Georgia: a B2B Networking Event on Plastic Reduction Opportunities and the Recycling Landscape has been organized by CENN and the USAID Economic Security Program. This event aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the circular economy sector with the help of interactive sessions. The event was held within the framework of the project "Strengthening the Community for the Implementation of Circular Solutions in Georgia", which is implemented by CENN with the support of USAID's Economic Security Program. The event was supported by the European Union. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi. The Mediators Association of Georgia hosted the regional conference, bringing together mediators from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.  Mediators from the five countries discussed alternative dispute resolution, recognizing its important role in the pursuit of justice. They also addressed the challenges of enhancing awareness about mediation.  This regional event was backed by UNDP and the German Government as part of broader support for improving the rule of law and promoting access to justice for all. More... Source: UNDP Georgia

Tbilisi.The results of PISA 2022 show that the reforms implemented in the education system of Georgia in recent years cannot provide adequate results, the system is still facing many challenges and requires additional changes. See the IDFI study, which reviews 10 reasons with a possible negative impact on the development of the education system in the country. More... Source: IDFI

Fireworks create highly toxic gases and pollutants that poison the air, the water and the soil, making them toxic to birds, wildlife, pets, livestock — and people. The colours of fireworks are the result of chemistry and physics made visible. Specifically, fireworks’ colours depend upon solid metal salts and chemical explosives that create colours when heated to the correct temperatures. Additionally, to produce the oxygen needed for an explosion, many fireworks contain oxidisers known as perchlorates. These can dissolve in water, contaminating rivers, lakes and drinking water. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Transparency International Georgia requested information on statistics and legal responses to crimes committed against journalists in 2023.  According to the Special Investigation Service, from January 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023, 14 criminal cases were opened for illegal obstruction of a journalist's professional activities. Among the 14 cases, one was closed, four were forwarded to the court for hearings on the merits, and investigations are ongoing for the remaining nine cases. Moreover, in six criminal cases, the Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal prosecution against nine individuals. Transparency International Georgia considers that ensuring a fear-free and safe media environment, first and foremost, by the ruling party is of utmost importance. Journalists should be able to carry out their professional work without interference and properly inform the public. One of the key requirements for ensuring a safe media environment is the prompt investigation of crimes committed against journalists and putting an end to impunity. More... Source: Transparency International Georgia

EU adopts 12th package of sanctions against Russia for its continued illegal war against Ukraine. The Commission welcomes the Council's adoption of a 12th package of sanctions against Russia.  The focus of this package is to impose additional import and export bans on Russia, combat sanctions circumvention and close loopholes. In particular, this package includes additional listings of Russian individuals and companies and new import and export bans – such as banning the export of Russian diamonds to Europe. It also includes stricter asset tracing obligations and tough measures on third-country companies circumventing sanctions. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.Get to know journalists who participated in the joint grant competition of the CENN and USAID Economic Security Program, won and prepared media products on reducing and recycling plastic waste. The winning journalists were awarded at a conference held on December 22, aimed at strengthening circular solutions in Georgia and promoting information sharing among interested parties involved in the sector.  The media competition was organised from October to December 2023, within the framework of the project "Strengthening the Community for the Implementation of Circular Solutions in Georgia", which is implemented by CENN with the support of USAID's Economic Security Program. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Every week, the Government of Georgia makes decisions on which state property to transfer to one or another company or individual through direct privatization. For the third year now, the decrees adopted on these decisions have not been published , contrary to the requirements of the law, which is why it is not known who acquired the property under what conditions or what benefits the government is providing. Privatization of state property carries a high risk of corruption, therefore opacity in this area is not allowed. Transparency International Georgia:  "We call on the administration of the Georgian government to act in accordance with the requirements of the Georgian legislation, to give up the illegal practice of concealing government decrees and orders of the Prime Minister, and to make these documents public to the public." More... Source: Transparency International Georgia  

Tbilisi.64 Students Across 21 Educational Institutions Embark on a Journey of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Studies with Support from UNDP, Sweden, and Switzerland. On 19 December, 64 students from 21 educational institutions received their scholarship certificates for the 2023/2024 academic year from representatives of Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, UNDP, the Embassy of Sweden to Georgia, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Building on this success, UNDP and EIEC have expanded their support to students pursuing agricultural professions. The 2023 edition of the Scholarship Programme introduces both Green and Agro Scholarships, now encompassing nine universities and 12 vocational colleges in the Ajara Autonomous Republic, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianseti, Samegrelo, and Shida Kartli.  More... Source: UNDP Georgia

Guria.The members of the Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) continue to actively engage in local development as part of the ongoing “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project, supported by the European Union. he “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project is implemented by CENN in cooperation with partner organisations: the Young Pedagogues’ Union, the Institute of Democracy, and the Local Action Group of KEDA (LAG), supported by the European Union within the European Neighbourhood Program for Rural and Agricultural Development ENPARD IV.  More... Source: CENN