Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post – “12 years since the August 2008 war: Russian disinformation and real facts”. “In 2020, 12 years have passed since the start of the August 2008 Russian-Georgian war. As in 2008, Russian propaganda, related to the Russian-Georgian war, is active today too. Through disseminating disinformation, it attempts to convince population of both Russia and Georgia, as well as the international community that the war in August 8, 2008 was initiated by Georgia against ethnic Ossetians, while Russia was “forced” to perform military intervention into Georgia to “protect” them. In fact, this conflict has a much longer history, which proves that the initiator of the war was not Georgia”, - is stated in the blog post. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. US Embassy in Georgia published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Twelve years have passed since Russia invaded the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. August 7 is a somber reminder of the thousands who have suffered and continue to suffer in the wake of Russia’s invasion. Today, we remember residents forced out of their homes and forced to live as internally displaced persons. We remember innocent civilians who died because the de facto authorities closed the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABL) and denied them access to emergency medical care. We remember families torn apart and robbed of their livelihoods by illegal “borderization” activities. As the whole world grapples with the effects of COVID-19, Georgia also suffers from the loss of trade between communities now cut off by arbitrary lines, further hampering economic recovery”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “Russia’s responsibilities under the 2008 ceasefire agreement are clear: Russia must withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions and allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We also call again on Russia to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It is essential for hundreds of thousands of IDPs and refugees to be able to return safely and with dignity to their homes. The United States' commitment to our friends and partners in Georgia remains steadfast. We stand with the people of Georgia and join them in calling for these communities, divided by Russian aggression, to be united once again”. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. UN Women is implementing Georgia’s first-ever Time Use Survey. The survey will be carried out by GEOSTAT and findings will become available at the end of 2021. How much time is spend by women and men on: Household work; Paid job; Education, sport and recreation; Transport and technologies; Volunteerism and other activities – Those are issues, the survey will cover. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. EWMI ACCESS provides public with information about developments it has supported. In particular: Poti City Assembly extended its support to a petition of citizens in regard to monitoring of quality of air in the city; With a voluntary initiative, co-financed by citizens, popularization of villages of Racha is going to start; Activists celebrated the 100th anniversary of return of Adjara into boundaries of Georgia by distributing an anti-propaganda newspaper in Batumi; Legal analysis of a state program for assistance to victims of COVID-19 and respective recommendations were published; “School for Mothers” helps young mothers in Marneuli villages to improve their knowledge; Professional burnout prevention training was conducted for civil activists. Read more… Source: ewmiaccess.createsend.com

Tbilisi. EU published the local statement on the 12th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. “Today marks the twelfth anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia. Despite the many global challenges, the European Union’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia remains as strong as ever. Unfortunately, tensions have remained high over recent months and the Russian military presence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia continues in violation of international law and commitments undertaken under the 12 August 2008 agreement”, - Is mentioned in the statement, - “The European Union reconfirms its full commitment to the stabilisation and conflict resolution efforts in Georgia, including through its engagement as co-chair in the Geneva International Discussions, the efforts of the EU Special Representative and the crucial role played on the ground by the EU Monitoring Mission. The European Union reiterates its firm support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders”. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

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... 

Young farmers of Tsnori Agro School will supply their harvest to the Tbilisi agro market, Café “Mziuri” on August 7, at 17:00. Young farmers at 8-13 years of age learned at the online agro school of “Knowledge Café” how to grow 5 crops and on Friday, in the yard of Café “Mziuri”, they will meet you at the agro market and bring: cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli. A fun agro quiz is going to be held for young guests of the agro market, winners of which will receive agro stickers as presents. While money gained from the agro market will be transferred by young farmers from Kiziki to construct a building for “Knowledge Café”. Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Today, IDFI team held an online meeting together with the representatives of USAID/Georgia, GGI Georgia, the City Hall of Telavi Municipality and the local non-governmental organizations. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the draft Integrity and Transparency Strategy and Action Plan of the City Hall of Telavi Municipality with civil society. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia examined the activities of Batumi City Council of the 2017 convocation covering the period between November 2017 and 31 December 2019 (hereinafter reporting/research period). The report is based on the information requested from the City Council, observations by Transparency International Georgia and media reports. The report also includes the main findings and recommendations which, if considered, would help the City Council formed as a result of the 2021 local self-government elections in its future activities. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Shida Kartli. Within the Dual Vocational Education Programme, the short-term vocational training courses in Vet Technicians are underway for the internally displaced people and the conflict-affected youth residing in the Shida Kartli region. The courses have 13 participants.  EU4Youth – Enhancing Youth Education, Employment, and Participation in Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine is implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) in Georgia. The project is funded by the European Union. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

USAID continue to partner with the Government of Georgia to respond to COVID-19 and ensure that Georgia's people are protected during crises that might occur in the future.  “We are currently working with the Civil Service Bureau to help them develop crisis management guidelines. The guidelines will help Georgia's dedicated civil servants work effectively during future crises”, - Is mentioned in the USAID’s social network page.  Read more…   Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Project is pleased to present a comprehensive study prepared by its senior experts, Eka Lomtatitdze on duty of the High Council of Justice to reason its decisions.  The purpose of the study of Georgian legislation and relevant case law is to identify the acts of the HCOJ (as a collegial body), in respect of which the reasoning is required. The relevant practice of the Constitutional Court and the Qualification Chamber of the Supreme Court is also examined. Study  Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Human Rights House Tbilisi and Human Rights House Foundation jointly presented a report within the framework of the third cycle of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR)...  The document contains an evaluation of the situation in terms of rights of human rights defenders and activists in Georgia during the last reporting period (2015-2020) as well as various problematic aspects that hinder their free activities in Georgia. It also contains a review of cases of discrimination of human rights defenders and restriction of their right to freedom of expression, problems related to freedom of assembly, slanderous as well as discrediting campaigns, and etc.  Read more…   Source: hrht.ge

Due to importance of addressing gender issues in the circumstances of pandemic, the Public Defender of Georgia, with the support of UN Women, translated a policy research document prepared by the UN – “Impact of COVID-19 on women”. The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has a negative impact on gender equality. International practice shows that risks of gender-based violence have increased, access to women health services, incomes and livelihoods, education, clean water and food has become more complicated. The UN policy research document contains a review of impact of the pandemic in terms of the economy, health, unremunerated work, gender-based violence and humanitarian missions. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has evaluated the performance of the representative body of the Municipality of the City of Poti which was elected in 2017 – the City Council (hereinafter the City Council of Poti). The report is based on information requested and received from the City Council and that posted on the City Council’s official website, as well as on observations of our organization. The study covers the period from November 2017 up to 2019. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Within the scope of its new program – Watchdog Journalism for Change – Europe Foundation (EPF) is pleased to announce a grant competition to provide legal aid to journalists and media outlets. The grant is designed to ensure that organizations with experience and expertise in media law and in providing legal advice to various media sources receive Europe Foundation support, enabling them to offer free legal counsel to those journalists and media outlets which pursue investigative reporting. Europe Foundation will fund those projects designed (1) to raise the awareness of journalists and media organizations regarding their rights and obligations; (2) to provide investigative journalists with any legal counsel they may need in the performance of their duties; and (3) to represent the legal interests of journalists and media organizations in dealing with the courts and administrative bodies. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) presented the second interim report on monitoring of the pre-election period of the October 31, 2020 elections of the Parliament of Georgia to public today. The second interim report focuses on the period from July 5 to August 3, 2020. It also covers individual cases that were initiated before July 5 and continued during the monitoring period or became known within the monitoring period. ISFED has been monitoring the pre-election period of the October 31, 2020 elections of the Parliament of Georgia since June 1. The monitoring is carried out with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has revealed 34 Facebook pages that act coordinated, non-authentically and are affiliated with “Alt-Info”, an organization disseminating propaganda narratives. “Alt-Info” calls itself an alternative source of information, while in reality it is engaged in anti-liberal, anti-immigration, anti-LGBTQI community and anti-Western propaganda”, - is stated in the report presented by ISFED, - “ISFED has revealed a coordinated action of “Alt-Info” on Facebook, through which the organization attempts to disseminate its content to Facebook users in a disguised and massive way. Currently, the main tool of “Alt-Info” is sharing of online video programs on 34 Facebook pages that are connected with it, of which 12 are openly, while 22 - covertly affiliated with “Alt-Info”. Besides 34 pages, there have been identified 25 public groups, in which “Alt-Info” news is actively shared, 7 of them are closely coordinated and covertly engage in “Alt-Info” propaganda. 22 “Alt-Info” covertly disseminating pages have a total of 365,549, while 15 officially operating pages - 157,640 subscribers. 7 closely coordinated groups unite a total of 169,734 users, while remaining 18 groups have a total of 777,679 members”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

Tbilisi. There was conducted a three-day CSRDG organized training on the topic of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.  The training was held within the framework of the project “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS).  Read more…  Source: The website of the organization in a social network

In partnership with the Georgia Red Cross Society and the UNFPA Georgia a socio-economic response to the COVID-19 challenges has been launched.  The project is being implemented in 4 target municipalities of Georgia. With the significant support from the UNFPA at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Georgia Red Cross Society will distribute food and hygiene parcels to vulnerable single older people over 60 years of age.  Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

From August 10th, every day, at 21:00, ‘Knowledge Café’, invites everyone to listen tales online. To watch this new project visit a link. Read more…  Source: The page in the social network

Tbilisi. Within the framework of its parliamentary monitoring activities, Transparency International Georgia (TI) assessed the performance of the Parliament in the period covering January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2019.  “2019 was a year of active political events and turmoil. There were a number of notable events throughout the year, which has led to public outcry. Parliamentary proceedings were carried out against the background of public protests. Due to various political confrontations, the composition of the Parliament changed; a number of MPs left the parliamentary majority, which has resulted in the breakdown of the minority as per the rules of Procedure. Moreover, the parliamentary opposition actively used the boycott mechanism during the autumn session. These events have all affected the regular functioning of the legislature”, - Is mentioned in the information the TI published.  Read more…   Source: The web-page of the organization