Tbilisi. The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary reacts to the judicial reform strategy and action plan released by the Parliament at the end of last week within the framework of the Justice Reform Working Group. The Coalition states that the proposed document does not reflect the real challenges in the justice system. Unfortunately, once again, it proves that the ruling political team does not have the readiness for real reform and continues to aim for façade changes. “We believe that the proposed reform strategy and action plan ignore the most pressing problems in the system. Another façade reform will not be enough to ensure the real independence of the justice system and thus will pose an even greater threat to the country's European integration process”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of MAC Georgia, October 6th, is World Cerebral Palsy Day. It's a day to recognize those with cerebral palsy (CP) and their families. “Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect coordination and muscle tone/posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the brain as it develops, most often before birth. Cerebral palsy's effect on function varies greatly. Some affected people can walk; others need assistance. Some people show normal or near-normal intellect, while others have intellectual disabilities”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

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...

Regions. On September 29-30, 2022, the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) in cooperation with the National Parliament Library of Georgia held a presentation on the issue of repressed people in Kaspi, Borjomi, and Gori and a screening of the film "Cemetery of the Shot in Batumi" shot by Radio Free Georgia/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). “Before the screening of the film, Anton Vatcharadze, the Memory and Disinformation Studies Direction Head of the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), gave a presentation on the theme of the repressed and talked about the great terror that took place in Georgia in 1937-1938, introduced a different history from the mentioned era to the audience, and also drew attention to the specificity and significance of the discovery of mass graves. He discussed the history of the tombs discovered in Adjara, the work carried out together with the Eparchy of Batumi and Lazeti and the Institute of National Remembrance of Poland (IPN), steps taken, and future plans”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On September 27-28, a seminar "Transformation of Human Resources Management" was held for human resource management specialists in the public sector, led by Swedish consultants Mats Beskow and Hans Norgren and their Georgian colleague Tamta Chrikishvili. During the two-day event, the following issues were discussed: digitization of human resources management, politics and the role of public service, functional difference between human resources management specialists and organization managers, role redistribution in the process of human resources management, and the Swedish experience. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. The representatives of the Social Justice Center held a legal aid meeting for the residents of Pankisi Gorge and provided the interested persons with legal advice on issues important to them. The meeting was held with the support of USAID Rule of Law program. According to the local population taking part in the meeting, it is vitally important to have clarity on legal issues and receive qualified assistance, therefore, they welcome such types of meetings. The Social Justice Center continues holding legal aid meetings in different regions of Georgia, including ethnically and religiously diverse cities and villages. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the MAC Georgia-s information, this year, they have brought together 65 volunteers to be companions to the elderly. Our volunteers started on the 5th of September and are both meeting in-person and online. This round of Mestumre will last for six months and will involve beneficiaries from eight elderly houses around the country. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. TI Georgia informs, that Georgia’s 18 state agencies do not publish their simplified procurement contracts. Among them are such important agencies as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Government Administration, Presidential Administration, State Security Service, and others. "Hidden contracts", except for procurements related to state secrets, should not exist, as this significantly increases the risk of corruption. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. On September 28, the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) hosted a meeting with the representatives of the Chatham House - Ľubica Polláková, Assistant Director at the Russia and Eurasia Programme, and Isabella Wilkinson, Research Associate at the International Security Programme at the Fukuyama Democracy Frontline Centre's office at Stamba Hotel. During the meeting, parties discussed Georgia’s strategy for dealing with Russian disinformation in the country, the scale of effort put in combating the disinformation campaigns, the government's position in the hybrid war waged by Russia against Georgia, and assessed significantly increased threats and challenges in the region caused by Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

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...

Tbilisi. On September 26, a study program planned in cooperation with the IDFI and the University of Georgia (UG) - "Disinformation and Propaganda Research: History, Theories and Means of Debunking" has been launched. The certificate and university degree program will offer students a two-semester short course on disinformation and propaganda research, history, its societal effects, and the means of debunking it. The study program is implemented with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Learn more...  Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On September 22, 2022, the Georgian Court Watch presented a study: Factors Contributing to Nepotism and Cronyism in the Judicial System.”  It is based on 30 in-depth interviews conducted by Georgian Court Watch with current and former judges, lawyers, experts, and academics. In addition, the organization analyzed the legislation and decisions of the High Council of Justice. The study states that judicial reforms in Georgia have created an illusion of progress; institutional and procedural guarantees were used as a facade, which allowed an influential group of judges to pursue their preferred personnel policy. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF continues to support the psychological-social center for children who are victims of violence. The center was launched in March 2022 with the support of the Estonian Government and its goal is to conduct investigative activities in a child-friendly space and provide rehabilitation services to children who have been victims of sexual violence. On September 26, with the coordination of the inter-agency commission working on children's rights issues and in cooperation with the Georgian judicial authorities, a consultation meeting was held, the purpose of which was to review the current practice, discuss challenges and ways to solve them. Juvenile justice specialized judges and representatives of agencies involved in the operation of the center participated in the consultation meeting. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On September 24-26 the training in stress management was conducted for the staff of the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia with the support of Civil Rights Defenders. For three days the time spent in an informal and friendly environment helped them to acquire positive emotions, relax and equip with the relevant knowledge. It will enable each of them to continue such an important job called struggling against gender-based violence with new energy. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia held a meeting with the members of the Baghdati Youth Council. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the support program for youth initiatives developed for Baghdati municipality and reflect it in the next year's budget. Representatives of the Education, Culture and Sports Department of the City Hall attended the meeting together with the council members. The Baghdati Youth Council is being strengthened within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative," with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the information of the ISFED despite the expiration of the term established by the legislation, the election of the CEC chairperson and professional members has not taken place until now. The organization calls on the Parliament of Georgia to fulfil the requirements of the law and fill the vacancies in the CEC on time. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of Ukrainians keep pushing across Oskil River, advancing near Lyman. An account of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in the Special Issue 72 of the Rondeli Russian Military Digest. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

Adjara. Batumi City Mayor Archil Chikovani’s Facebook page materials are advertised by Gogi Putkaradze, the Head of the International Relations and Protocol Department of the Government of Adjara. Putkaradze also advertises public page posts of the Chairman of the Adjara Government Tornike Rijvadze. In Transparency International Georgia’s assessment, the involvement of the Adjara Government Administration’s representative in self-governance is an issue. The financing mechanism and sources for such activity are not transparent. In their official letters, the Administration of the Government of Adjara and the Batumi City Hall state that they did not spend money on the promotion of public officials on social media. Consequently, it raises questions regarding the original source of funds. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia, within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative", provided consultations to representatives of civil society and community organizations in Terjola municipality. At the meeting: was presented the results of the research conducted by CSI, which related to the tax environment of the civil society organizations; was provided consultations on management issues of the organization in order to strengthen them; was given the information about the grant competitions announced in Imereti region Similar meetings will be held in the municipalities of Imereti region. The meetings are being organized by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR Initiative”, with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

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...

NDI releases findings from its latest public opinion poll. We survey public opinion to help Georgian stakeholders diagnose and address issues of public concern by providing accurate, unbiased and statistically sound data. This poll aims to capture the most relevant information to foster the development of responsive policies and governance. The new report looks at a nationwide survey conducted between July 14 - August 15, through face-to-face interviews with a nationwide representative sample of Georgia’s adult population, excluding the occupied territories. survey Source: NDI