Adjara. An orientation meeting on studies in the US was organized on March 6 for members of the Batumi Youth Center. How to receive education in the United States of America? Where and how to find funding and select desired university or college? The US education consultant of the "International Education Center" has answered these and other questions. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. A discussion over women's rights and development opportunities was held on March6 in the Gori Youth Center functioning with the "Gori Club of the Disabled". The meeting aimed at raising public awareness on gender equality and mechanisms for developing women's opportunities. Youngsters from the Gori Youth Center, local population and representatives of non-governmental and state institutions, local authorities, civil society and media have participated in the discussion. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers' Association and International Society for fair elections and democracy released a statement. "We urge Office of Mayor of Tbilisi, majority and minority members of Tbilisi Sakrebulo to cooperate in a constructive manner, to prevent enforcement of direct state government in Tbilisi. They must show adequate responsibility and facilitate as much as possible reaching of the consensus about the budget and its adoption prior to March 11, 2014". For the full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. A public discussion on "Georgia and Its European Future: Where Eastern Partnership Heads Towards" was organized on March 5 in the Heinrich Boll Stiftung.Marieluise Beck (member of the German Bundestag), AleksiPetriashvili (State Minister for Integration in the European and Euro-Atlantic Structures), EkaSiradze-Delone (Georgian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France) have participated in the meeting and delivered speeches.The Foundation provides a video recording of the meeting for those who were unable to attend the discussion. Source: the Foundation's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The 3rd Open Governance Forum was held on March 5. Apart from the analytical departments of the Ministry of Justice and CSOs, representatives of various public institutions and ministries have attended the Forum.Co-Chair of the Forum, representative of the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information GiorgiKldiashvili has informed the Forum participants about recommendations jointly developed by CSOson holding public consultations. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. CSO "Sida" has awarded the contest-winner bloggers and journalists on March 6. The contest was organized as part of the EU-funded project "Supporting Juvenile Justice Reform in the National Minority Communities of KvemoKartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti". "Rights of the Youth at Conflict with Law" was the topic of the contest. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Adjara. The model UN on Syria's internal conflict was organized on March 6 in the Batumi Youth Center. Winners were identified, who will compete in the national UN modeling in Tbilisi.Model UN is an academic role conference, which is a simulation of various bodies of the United Nations Organization. During the modeling process participants become diplomats, represent and defend the positions of their countries, debate and negotiate, and submit a resolution with their allies as a final result of the whole conference. Key objective of this diplomatic game is to introduce and disseminate democratic values, develop communication and professional skills, and to get familiar with political issues of foreign states and global importance.The model UN cycle is organized in all Youth Centers established as part of the Advancing National Integration in Georgia (ANI) project, which is implemented by the UN Association of Georgia (UNAG). Source: Batumi Youth Center.

Tbilisi. On March 6, The European Union organized Civil Society Organizations fair and the press conference during which 34 new grants to civil society have been launched. The deputy Head of Delegation, Boris Iarochevitch: "Economic integration and political approximation with Europe must happen with civil Society's important contribution to the processes of democratisation, promotion of human rights, more participative citizenship, the economic development of regions and awareness-raising... I'm happy to present 34 new projects that reflect the wide spectrum of interactions between the European Union and the Georgian Civil Society". In 2014, the European Union awarded 34 project grants to civil society organizations. EU total support is totalling 4.5 million euro. 

Tbilisi. On 6 March, the Public Defender held a press conference aiming to present activities carried out in February by the office. For the purpose of more transparency and a closer relationship with society, Public Defender continues meetings with journalists at the beginning of each month. For the full text Source:ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. As part of the renewed "This Affects You Too” initiative, CSOs have launched a new campaign "They Still Listen To Us!”.The Minister of Interior denies the facts of illegal wiretapping in the country. As Mr. Chikaidze states, human rights are not violated and the Ministry does its best to protect the rights, lives and health of individuals. For the full text Source: the campaign’s web page in the social network.

Imereti. Forum of volunteerism was held in Akaki Tsereteli State University. Various organizations taking part in the forum introduced the attendants to their bulletins and projects. The forum was held with support of the Kutaisi Centre for Education Development and Employment, USA Peace Corps, Volunteer Committee, and Social Clubs of Kutaisi Public Schools. 

Tbilisi.On March 6 a meeting of media representatives was held for discussing the project concerning the rights of the disabled people. The idea of the project belongs to the Ministry of Work, Welfare and Social Defence of Georgia with the help of the NGO "Coalition for Independent Life” within the "Disabled People Advocacy” project (funded by USAID). Source:the organization's page in the social network

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Constitutionalists’ Association has released a statement. "To revise the Constitution, at its last extraordinary session the Parliament of Georgia has staffed the State Constitutional Commission. ... In view of the fact that the Association was deprived of the possibility to directly participate in the activities of the Constitutional Commission, we appeal to the Chairman of Parliament Mr. Davit Usupashvili to create the Advisory Council. This body will allow as the "Georgian Young Constitutionalists’ Association”, as well as other CSOs and the constitutional law researchers to participate in the process of revision of the country’s supreme law at least in this format,” says the statement. For the full text. Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The NGO "Young Barristers” appealed to the government to review their auto-transportation policies. The organization asks the government to improvethe level of pollution and comply with EU and International standards. For the full text Source:the organization's page in the social network

Imereti. The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Davit Usupashvili and the UNICEF Regional Director for Central and Eastern Europe and CIS States, Marie-Pierre Poirier have officially declared 2014 as the year for children's rights on March 5 in Kutaisi.This initiative aims to develop concrete laws and impact the policy so that the children's rights in Georgia are fully taken into account, protected and realized. Source: UNICEF web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. CSOs have revived the campaign - "This Affects You Too". Campaign participants aim to "change status quo in the area of secret wiretapping and surveillance and create systemic guarantees for excluding the arbitrariness of law-enforcement agencies in this respect." Civil initiative "This Affects You Too" demands to change current legislation and practice in view of internationally recognized principles. The campaign plans to organize meetings, rallies and conferences Georgia-wide. For the full text. Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. European Union is to fund 34 new projects in Georgia; Projects will be publicized at 6 March Tbilisi exhibition and press-conference by participation of civil society organizations. In 2014 European Union issued 34 grants for civil society organizations’ projects.  The aforementioned grants have been issued based on the three main instruments created by the EU in support of civil society.  These instruments are – European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), non-governmental actors and local government and neighborhood civil society mechanism. Source:media.ge

Tbilisi. The centre for Liberalism Studies published "LibTime’s” issue. The topic was: "Are Georgian bloggers influencing public opinion? What kind of information is under their attention?” Invited was David Lobzhanidze who talked about these issues. Source:the organization's page in the social network

Adjara. A meeting was organized on March 5 in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center at the initiative of the Soviet Past Research Laboratory, where the documentary produced by the organization - "Great Soviet Terror: Human Stories" was shown. Stories in the film are told by individuals affected by Stalinist repressions. Discussion has followed after the film with participation of youngsters. The objective of making and sharing the film is that it is crucial to provide the right information to contemporary generation about the Soviet Union.  This film will be shown over the next two days in Ozurgeti and Kutaisi.

Open Society Foundation published a movie - "Ukraine: Voices from the Epicenter”. "After three months of generally peaceful protests in Kyiv's Independence Square, Ukraine is in crisis. Events are unfolding with such speed that it's impossible to predict what will happen. What is certain, however, is that so much is at stake for the citizens of Ukraine. Watch these dispatches from the epicenter", says the description of the movie. The movie   Source:opensocietyfoundations.org

Tbilisi. Independent group of feminists celebrates Women’s day by manifestation. The manifestation will begin on March 8, 12:30 at Filarmonia and will end at the old building of Parliament. Source:the organization's page in the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. A training on modeling was held for the members of the Akhaltsikhe youth network. The training was led by UN Association of Georgia.The youth were introduced to the specifics of the UN modeling, main principles, and mechanisms.It was also agreed that in two weeks time a modeling session on Syrian crisis sould be held.UN modeling is a worldwide acknowledged game.Through modeling sessions participants get knowledge on specifics of modern world politics.