Tbilisi. The "Association of Young Financiers and Businessmen - AYFB” held a briefing on May 18, at the "Reportiori” press-club. The topic of the briefing was ‘’the National Bank’s impact upon the exchange rate of GEL’’. As it was stated by the analyst of the organization, PaataBairakhtar, the "AYFB” believes,’’ that the National Bank of Georgia and the steps taken by it, is much in charge of such rapid devaluation of the national currency in the country’’. For the full text… source: afba.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released another audio podcast of parliamentary news. Podcast of parliamentary news… Source: transparency.ge

Two days before Eastern Partnership Riga Summit, on May 19 Georgian NGOs will conduct the presentation of interim assessment of the EU Georgia Association Agenda Implementation. The event is organized by the Open Society Georgia Foundation and Georgian and Latvian chapters of Transparency International (TI Georgia and Delna). For the full text… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information has released statistical data based on information received from the Ministry of Interior. ''On the 1st of May, 2015 IDFI received official information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, about the Georgian citizens detained by Occupational Troops of the Russian Federation for crossing the occupation line. In 2013 the Institute has received similar information, including data of 2009-2012. From the received document we learn, that a total of 2 117 Georgian citizens have been illegally detained by the occupational forces in the period between 2009 – March of 2015. From the total amount, 1 416 have been detained near Abkhazia, and 701 at Tskhinvali occupational line''. For the full text... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released a new blog: "Illegally registered land plots of the Akhmeta Deputy Gamgebeli's spouse". According to obtained materials, the organization has a reasonable suspicion that "the Akhmeta Municipality Deputy Gamgebeli's spouse has registered real estate in ownership illegally. The decision of the Akhmeta Registration Service of the National Agency of Public Registry also includes signs of unlawful action, because it should have registered ownership only based on the document proving the title". Transparency International – Georgia urges relevant agencies to launch inquiry based on information collected by the organization, in order to establish a potential offence. For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The "Young Barristers” publishes information regarding the extradition of wanted persons to Georgia from the other countries and extradition of such persons by Georgia to the other countries. The organization evaluates ‘’Georgia’s efforts positively and highly appreciates the works, implemented by law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice of Georgia in this direction’’. For the full text.. Source: barristers.ge

Adjara. An integrated information portal (www.young.ge) was presented for the youth on May 15 in the Batumi City Council's conference hall. Web page will include materials on various topics of interest to the youth: education programs, vacancies, entertainment, announcement of planned events - it will be possible to identify desired information through a simple search system. Development and cooperation union "Progress" has developed the web site with financial support from the Czech Republic.

Tbilisi. From May10, four thousand miniature soldiers have occupied a cross road at Vazha-Pshavela and the Pekini Street. "Green Cover" is the name of this installation, created as part of the art project initiated by CSO "Walk". 5 winners of this project will appear throughout May in various public spaces and present young artists' vision on social or ecological issues prevailing in the city. For the full text... Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. On May 15 LibCenter has hosted philosopher Levan Ghambashidze's public lecture: "Problems of Georgian public domain". The Center offers a video recording of the lecture to those who were unable to attend. Video recording of the lecture... Source: the Center's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. In connection with the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, part of CSOs operating in Georgia have gathered on May 17 in Tbilisi, Round Garden, to express solidarity to the LGBT community. Rally participants have mainly presented extracts from the European Court decision over the 17 May 2012 case. For the full text... Source: netgazeti.ge

Tbilisi. The Women's Initiatives Support Group has observed May 17 on the Vachnadze Street. According to them, Vachnadze Street has a symbolic meaning, because in 2013 this was a place where the LGBT community members ended up being unprotected. The group has released a statement on May 17. For the full text... Source: liberali.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia has released opinions and comments over draft law developed as part of the Ministry of Interior reform. "... We find it is necessary to continue working on the bill, and to lead the process openly and transparently, so that we end up with a reform with tangible results. The reform, which considerably contributes to the country's democratic development and pursuant to the bill's explanatory note costs the state 28 million GEL, must be implemented as a result of broad discussions and discourse", the organization's web page states. For the full text... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) has released a publication: "Non-transparency reasons of the Ministry of Finances (audit report)". The Institute has requested from the Ministry of Finances public information concerning various administrative costs borne in 2013. The Institute has received information from the Ministry, "however, the Ministry's response did not include requested information fully". A court dispute between the Ministry of Finances and the Institute lasts over a year. "... The State Audit Office of Georgia has also expressed interest in the costs of the Ministry's central administration. On 16 January 2015 the State Audit Office has released the Ministry of Finances' central administration's 2013 financial report and the 2012-2013 compliance audit report...", the Institute's publication says, which is based on the very data provided in the report of the Audit Office. For the full text... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association has held a briefing. The organization believes "it is necessary to regulate additional constitutional guarantees for enhancing the independence of judicial authorities". For the full text... Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. A youth forum will be held on May 24 in Samtskhe-Javakheti, organized by the Union of Democrat Meskhetians, "World Vision" and the Akhaltsikhe Youth Center. Participating youth will work in several areas – ecology, healthy lifestyle, volunteerism, tourism and equality.

Tbilisi. CSO "Young Barristers" has held a press conference to discuss legal justification of the "Panorama Tbilisi" project. The organization finds that "given a high public interest towards the project, it is crucial that each citizen has access to information on its legal and economic opportunities. With certain public scrutiny, any gaps or errors must be prevented...", the organization's web page says. For the full text... Source: barristers.ge

CSOCiDA and the Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) have organized a "Civic Week" to be held in the regions of Georgia from 18 through 28 May. During the Week CSOs will inform citizens about their activities, and the charity, volunteer and advocacy events will be held. The Week is held as part of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) ACCESS project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Schedule of events... Source: "CiDA's" web page in the social network.

At the meeting organized by the "Open Society – Georgia" Foundation and Transparency International - Georgia to be held in Latvia's capital Riga in several days, Georgian CSOs will present monitoring reports on performance of the Georgia-EU Association agenda. Representatives of the Georgian authorities, Latvian Government and EU Commission will also participate actively in the conference. The event aims to better demonstrate the aspiration of the Georgian state and civil society towards the European perspective ahead of the Eastern Partnership Summit. For the full text... Source: web page of Transparency International – Georgia in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information has released a study "Practices of administrative silence". In March 2015 the Institute has addressed all ministries and subordinated agencies with public information requests. For the full text... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. The Caucasian Resources Research Center (CRRC) has released another blog – "Homophobia in Georgia". With the series of such blogs the organization analyzes "various aspects of the Tbilisi population's homophobic attitudes, as well as factors triggering homophobia and its potential consequences". For the full text... Source: blog.crrc.ge

Tbilisi. According to "Liberal", representatives of student movement "Green Fist" have held a rally, protesting against EBRD-funded projects. "Activists claim they are not against flow of investments in the country, but construction of hydro power stations requires a due, preliminary study, without which numerous ecological threats could be generated", the "Liberal" states. For the full text... Source: liberali.ge

Tbilisi. The offices of "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation have hosted on May 11 a discussion over protection of children's personal data in the penitentiary system. The "Initiative for Rehabilitation of Vulnerable Groups" has initiated the event. Representatives of the Public Defender, "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation, UN Children's Fund, administration of the Personal Data Protection Inspector and other state agencies, as well as CSOs operating in this sector have participated in the meeting. The discussion has focused on gaps in connection with case proceedings on children, and a special rule for registration, storage, exchange, getting familiar with and destroying of data available on children. Meeting participants have discussed the project's strategy and action plan aimed at remedying the gaps mentioned. For the full text... Source: osgf.ge