Tbilisi. The "Young Barristers” demand removal of head of Kobuleti City Council from June 15th 2014 local self-government elections – Elguja Bagrationi. "The implemented monitoring revealed that the head of Kobuleti City Council Elguja Bagrationi had participated in a criminal act. ...According to the "Young Barristers”, not only must the candidate of Elguja Bagrationi be removed from the elections, but grounds of his impeachment from a position of head of Kobuleti City Council exist as well", says the statement. For the full text Source: barristers.ge

Adjara. At the initiative of the youth CSO "Changes for Equal Rights", persons with disabilities have met with the majority of the Batumi Mayor nominees on June 4 in the Public Defender's office.At the meeting the Mayor nominees have presented their visions on the resolution of problematic issues associated with persons with disabilities Batumi-wide. In addition, they have expressed the desire and willingness to organize periodic meetings with the organizers of this event and organizations working on persons with disabilities.

Tbilisi. "Guerilla Gardening" appeals to the Tbilisi Mayor and Sakrebulo nominees participating in the local self-government elections. "In view of upcoming local self-government elections we would like to draw the attention of the Tbilisi Mayor and Sakrebulo member nominees to the grave ecological situation and problems that we encounter in terms of preserving the Tbilisi vegetation. ... The city's authorities must set as a priority the preservation of vegetation grown in last decades to the maximum extent, and subsequently its spread so that the area of vegetated territory per one resident in Tbilisi comes close to the modern standards," says the released statement. For the full text. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia released  the report about Open Data, titled Defining and Measuring Open Data. As part of the 2nd Open Governement Partnership action plan, currently being drafted by Ministry of Justice of Georgia, TI Georgia calls on the Georgian government to include Open Data as a commitment in the new action plan. For the full text Source: transparency.ge

Kakheti. CSO "International Center for Civic Culture" has organized a informative meeting with persons participating in the self-government elections and representatives of election parties.Meeting participants have discussed various important issues concerning the new self-government law and amendments to the Election Code.

Tbilisi. The European House has hosted the second national conference on LGBT issues on June 4. At the conference up to ten students from various accredited universities have presented the studies and works on the status of LGBT persons in the regions of Georgia and the capital. The education project is implemented by CSO "Identity" with support of the Democratic Development Small Grants Program of the US Embassy in Georgia, which aims to raise sensitivity towards LGBT issues among the Georgian students. Source: identoba.com

Tbilisi. Association "Child and Family" has organized a contest for children without custodial care dedicated to the International Children's Day. Best works were identified - the essay "If I had a magic stick" and the painting "My dream". The contest was organized with support from Association "Our House" - Poland. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Guria. Peer educators of the Youth Center of the "Young Teachers' Union" have delivered a training in environmental protection on June 4 in the Shua Amaghleba public school. Training participants have discussed the importance of reducing the spending of resources and the principle of multiple use of things, as well as the potential secondary use of plastic bags and bottles. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. A discussion over "Family and school for the sake of a child's well-being" was organized on June 4 as part of the week of CSO "Biliki". In addition, the film "Mother, I Love You" was shown, followed by a discussion. Representatives of CSO "Biliki", parents of the Day Center beneficiaries, school teachers and social workers have participated in the event. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Samegrelo. Members of the Youth Center "Ortus" of Association "Atinati" have delivered a peer education training in "Human Rights" on June 4 in the Zugdidi public school. Schoolchildren from the 8th, 9th and 10th grades of the same school have participated in the training. Peer educators have informed youngsters about human rights. After working in groups, the participants have presented sketches on the topic and shared their opinions with the trainers. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has published a blog post - "How are the judges appointed in Georgia?". "Last week started off with an important event - the High Council of Justice of Georgia has voted for the candidates on 34 vacant positions of the judges Georgia-wide. Yet, almost none of media outlets have expressed interest in this event. Accordingly, the citizens know nothing about the fact that on May 27 persons were selected, who in the nearest future may decide on their fate or key issues for the entire society," says the blog post. For the full text. Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. ISFED continues posting videos in the social network, which aim to inform voters on election updates. The organization has posted new videos in the social network: "What novelties there are in respect of polling procedures", and "What rights does a candidate have". Video: "What rights does a candidate have". Video: "What novelties there are in respect of polling procedures". Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Imereti. The training in "Culture of Tolerance and Ethnic Minorities in Georgia" was delivered for the members of the Kutaisi Youth Center. The event aimed to raise youngsters' awareness on tolerance, human rights, ethnic minorities and integration. The training was delivered as part of the Advancing National Integration in Georgia project, implemented by the UN Association of Georgia with support of the US Agency for International Development. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Kakheti. The Gender Equality Network has organized a public discussion in Telavi to support women candidates running in the self-government elections. At the discussion with active dialogue and debates women candidates have presented their agendas and discussed future plans.Women candidates nominated by various political parties on proportional lists and single-seat positions, the Telavi Mayor nominee woman and the civil society representatives have attended the meeting. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Kvemo Kartli. Young Constitutionalists have organized meetings in Dmanisi. Events were held as part of the project – "Stable Constitution – Youth Choice" and were attended by the schoolchildren of the Dmanisi Municipality schools. Schoolchildren were informed about significant constitutional issues such as fundamental human rights, separation of powers, notion of local self-government, judicial system, etc.The organization will hold a similar event on June 9-10 in the Borjomi Municipality. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. "Article 42 of the Constitution" has organized a training in the conference hall of the Human Rights House. The event was organized as part of the Gender Equality Facilitation project. 5-day training covered topics such as gender stereotypes, results of gender discrimination at jobs and means to avoid them, etc. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The "Young Barristers” respond to the public discussion according to which, a group of civil society demand legalization/decriminalization of marijuana. "We believe, that decriminalization is too early, since this may cause increased number of drug addicts. Most often, marijuana addicts, who are short of marijuana, tend to choose stronger drugs. Therefore, decriminalization may increase the risk of increased number of drug addicts. For the full text Source:barristers.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. A meeting with the only mayor nominee woman was held on June 1 in the Akhaltsikhe Democracy Center. The meeting was organized by the Civic Engagement Center and was attended by the Akhaltsikhe residents, CSO and media representatives.The candidate has informed the audience about her visions on the current and yet unresolved problems in the city, followed by the question-and-answer session and discussion.The Civic Engagement Center has also hosted a meeting with all Mayor nominees. Candidates have answered the questions of local media.

Tbilisi. "Internews - Georgia" has released the first report on pre-election monitoring of regional TV channels. The report covers the period of 12-25 May 2014 and 16 regional TV companies, which will be monitored from May 12 through June 15 2014. The report. Source: media.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information has published the article "Policies on state enterprises with agricultural profile in the Baltic states". The Institute together with the Tax-Payers' Union implements the project "State enterprises in Georgia and their effectiveness; Focus: Agriculture". As part of the project, an article was produced on the policies in respect of state enterprises with agricultural profile in the Baltic states. The article Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On June 3, GYLA held presentation of the researches:  "Freedom of Information and Protection of Personal Data” (analysis of court practice) and "Personal Data Protection Inspector” (Georgian Practice and International Experience). "GYLA considers necessary to revise applicable legislation in terms of personal data protection, as well as to eliminate existing gaps and provide extra guarantees for independence of the personal data protection inspector". For the full text Source: gyla.ge

Adjara. Transparency International - Georgia has released the film - "Children of the 53rd Battalion, Khelvachauri". "In a 10-minute drive from Batumi, the "53rd Battalion" settlement of Khelvachauri is located. Residents there call the settlement a "Dream City". Up to 900 families find a shelter in this settlement. These families together with their minors live in extremely grave environment, without water and electricity. There is no kindergarten nearby, owing to which children are left without preschool education. The school is several kilometers away and many children cannot use transport to reach the school," says the film review. The film. Source: the organization's page in the social network.