Tbilisi. The Coalition for "Independent and Transparent Judiciary" has commented on the draft bill authored by the Government of Georgia as part of the Ministry of Interior reform, which provides for separation of the State Security Service from the Ministry of Interior and the related changes. The Coalition welcomes the readiness of the Government of Georgia "to deconcentrate abundant powers within the Ministry of Interior of Georgia and to set up functionally and institutionally separated State Security Service. Yet, it is important that instead of fragmented changes, it is crucial to develop an integrated concept of the Ministry of Interior reform, which will be based on the consensus vision of the state and civil society on the challenges and needs that the system is facing", the statement says. For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. With support of the "Open Society – Georgia" Foundation and as part of the EU's "Erasmus Plus" Program, a guide has been developed for students, designed for those wishing to study abroad and looking for scholarships. The guide... Source: progeorgia.ge

Adjara. As part of the Civic Week, participants of CSO "Borjghali's" project – "Democracy Agents" have delivered a narrative performance on democracy on May 27 for pupils of the Batumi 2nd Public School. The meeting aimed to deliver information on major principles of civil activities and democracy through contemporary methods and to support raising civic culture among schoolchildren.

Tbilisi. 28 May 2015 – The 1 October 2012 parliamentary elections established a new ruling parliamentary majority and brought the Georgian Dream Coalition in the executive power. As part of its pre-election promises, the new government pledged to undertake major reforms and changes in almost all aspects of governance, including: depolitization of the governance system, removing undue pressure from the private sector, improving protection of human rights and the welfare of citizens. Georgian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been following the processes since the 2012 elections very actively. Civil society representatives regularly responded to government initiatives and offered its recommendations to the respective institutions. NGOs were very often proactive about their recommendations, advocating for deep reforms in various policy fields. The report provides an overview of the reforms and changes undertaken by the Georgian Dream government in over 20 key public policy areas, independent assessment and recommendations to tackle problems. These are areas which were often discussed by civil society and the authors believe more efforts are needed: general governance, electoral reform, local self-governance, human rights and equality, economy and investment environment, foreign policy, open government and media environment. For the full text… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released a blog: "Stripping banking supervisory functions off the National Bank will prevent it from discharging constitutional power". Currently the Parliament is examining legislative initiative on the establishment of Banking Supervision Department as an independent financial supervision agency. "... We believe that deprivation of financial monitoring function last year and banking supervision functions currently clearly aim to weaken the National Bank. Legislative initiatives driven by political views and not practical needs cannot facilitate stable and effective functioning of financial system. We think any initiative should serve proper functioning of the system and should not be associated with concrete individuals, who the ruling team may or may not like...", the blog states. For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) is the member of the Working Group on Reforming the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. As the member of the Working Group, IDFI, drew out the recommendations that support the implementation of the reforms, modernization and creation of the effective citizen engagement mechanism at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. The recommendations are developed on the basis of the international practice. The recommendations emphasize the views of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information on two issues: the establishment of the Citizen Involvement Councils at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the cancellation of so called "Special Security Officers” system at public institutions. For the full text… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. ISFED has posted an information video in the social network: "Majoritarian system fails to reflect will of majority of voters". Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. "Let's mark places accessible to persons with disabilities together" - was the title of initiative organized by Association "Tolerant" in the Akhaltsikhe Central Park with participation of the organization's volunteers and local self-government and civil sector representatives. The initiative aimed to mark restaurants, shops and cafes accessible to persons with disabilities on the map. Volunteering initiative was organized as part of the Civic Week in 10 regions of Georgia. The Week aims at involving citizens in CSO activities and promoting effective cooperation. Events are organized by the Civil Development Agency and the Regional Civil Society Network. The Week was implemented as part of the project of East-West Management Institute, funded by the United States Agency for International Development.  

Tbilisi. As part of public lectures, the Caucasian House has posted in the social network the lecture of TSU's master's degree candidate, Levan Lortkipanidze: "First Georgian Democratic Republic". Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released its 2014 activity report, titled the "Year of Civil Campaigns and Advocacy". The report is available on the organization's web page. Transparency International – Georgia's Report, 2014... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On May 27, representatives of the "Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen" have organized a briefing on "strengthening Lari by monetary tools will not prevent economic growth". AFBA believes that "strengthening Lari by monetary tools will not prevent economic growth. We could assert in Georgia's case that not only a close link is absent but there is rather insignificant connection between the severity-mildness of monetary policy and economic growth". For the full text... Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia releases information, according to which the organization "has won a case against the Ministry of Interior over issuing of public information". For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy has observed the printing of ballots in the CEC on May 27. According to ISFED observer, ballots were printed pursuant to procedures established by law. Ballots were printed for midterm elections to the Senaki and Zugdidi City Councils on May 31. For the full text... Source: www.isfed.ge

Tbilisi. GYLA has filed a constitutional claim on May 25. The organization "finds Article 2 of the Government Resolution "on Several Measures Aimed at Switching to Universal Healthcare" as discriminatory. Pursuant to this norm, individuals who benefited from private insurance as of 1 July 2013, will be unable to receive all medical services covered under universal insurance. Such individuals will benefit from only a minimum service package of universal healthcare". For the full text... Source: gyla.ge

The Civil Society Institute has completed delivering trainings in Gori, Kutaisi and Batumi as part of the results-oriented project management program. Training course, i.e. the first module covered systemic changes. Over two days, CSO representatives selected based on contest have got familiar with the concept of systemic changes and analyzed a difference between the system and a systemic change. They have comprehended a complexity of system with the help of theoretic information and case studies. Throughout the training groups have worked on project design as well: selected a problem and analyzed it in depth. As a result of the training, participants can determine how to plan and implement projects by applying various tools. "Results-Oriented Project Management" Program is developed under the guidance of invited international expert and is built on modern methods and standards. In 2015 it is planned to deliver trainings as part of additional four modules, including: change indicators; project management cycle; monitoring and evaluation system; and participative facilitation. The Civil Society Institute implements the "Results-Oriented Project Management" Program with financial support of the German Foundation "Bread for the World".

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia has released a blog: ''Who owns RMG Gold?''. ''... Transparency International – Georgia'' tried to learn who are ultimate beneficiaries of the company operating in this field, but it turned out to be extremely difficult, because we had to deal with offshore companies, whose beneficial owners cannot be established through public source'', the blog states. For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. ''Enlightenment in Georgia: Ideas and Public Workers'' – is the title of the project implemented by the union ''Women's Initiative for Equality'' with financial support of the ''Open Society – Georgia'' Foundation. As part of this project, an exhibition was organized in the TSU, where the photos of up to hundred enlighteners were exhibited. A web page was set up as part of the project, informing readers about enlighteners. Enlightenment in Georgia: Ideas and Public Work... Source: liberali.ge

Tbilisi. As part of the joint project of Frontline Club and the "Liberal" magazine – "Discussions over Children's Rights", a discussion was held on the "school readiness age". The magazine offers a video recording of the discussion for those who were unable to attend. Source: liberali.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center has developed together with CSO ''Green Alternative'' a manual on the right to labor and environmental protection. The manual was developed as part of the organizations' joint project supported financially by the Heinrich Boll Foundation. The manual... Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) welcomes the readiness of the Government of Georgia to deconcentrate abundant power within the Ministry of Interior of Georgia and to set up functionally separated State Security Service. ''... It is important that instead of fragmented changes, it is crucial to develop an integrated concept of the Ministry of Interior reform, which will be based on the consensus vision of the state and civil society on the challenges and needs that the system is facing'', the statement says. For the full text... Source: gyla.ge

Adjara. Public discussion of the 2016-2019 priorities, organized jointly by the Civil Advisers' Council and the Batumi City Council, has completed. Three-day public meetings were hosted by the Batumi Civic Engagement center. Members of the Public Assemblies and the Civil Advisers' Council, as well as youngsters have heard the priorities developed by the local authorities. Attendees have expressed comments and opinions over presented priorities. Problems and initiatives are being studied and analyzed currently. Once this process ends, the Civil Advisers' Council will produce a written recommendation and present it to the City Hall's relevant agencies.

Tbilisi. The "Open Society – Georgia” Foundation is delivering a consultation day on May 28, where Program Managers will answer the questions of interested parties. For the full text... Source: osgf.ge