Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Economists' Association echoes the resolution on the "Rural Aid Program" approved by the Government of Georgia on February 20.The organization welcomes novelties that the Program includes and believes that "changes will increase the efficiency of the "Rural Aid Program" ... For years our organization works together with partners on enhancing the efficiency of this Program. There are numerous problems throughout the Program implementation." In its statement the organization discusses problems in detail and expresses readiness "to actively cooperate with the Ministry and all interested organizations in order to improve the Program and increase the efficiency of the Program to the maximum extent." Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Over 50 European CSOs, research institutes or analysts sign the appeal on developments in Ukraine. Initiators of the appeal published on February 20 are the Georgian Reforms Association and the Georgian Strategic Research Institute. The appeal. Source: Radio "Liberty".

Tbilisi. The Youth Parliament of Georgia has reacted to the incident that occurred in the legislative body on February 19."The Youth Parliament of Georgia believes that allowing such precedents in the legislative body is unacceptable. In light of this, the Code of Ethics adopted in the Parliament of Georgia in 2004 must be definitely revised and tangible mechanisms must be developed, which in case of similar facts will impose sanctions on the Georgian MPs," says the statement published on the organization's web page in the social network. Source: web page of the Youth Parliament of Georgia in the social network.

Imereti. The Georgian-Dutch project "Friendly Ways" was presented on February 20 for members of the Kutaisi Youth Center, implemented by the Foundation "Partnership for Road Safety". The presentation aimed to inform youngsters about events planned as part of the program, as well as how should the Georgian roads become safer for citizens and how should the road accidents and risks be avoided. Source: web page of the Kutaisi Youth Center in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has released a statement on developments in Ukraine. "We would like to express our sorrow that extreme tensions in Kyiv have resulted in casualties - there are dead and wounded, including the citizens of Georgia, media representatives - journalist ViacheslavVerem. We extend our condolences to the families of victims, colleagues," says the statement. The organization appeals to the Foreign Ministry and the Georgian diplomatic mission in Ukraine to assist and support the work of Georgian journalists as much as possible, and most importantly, to take maximum care of their safety. Source: qartia.org.ge

Tbilisi. In June 2013, the Parliament passed a temporary legal ban restricting non-Georgian citizens (including Georgian entities with a foreign minority shareholders – "foreigners”) from purchasing or inheriting agricultural land until December 2014— this ban has now been amended.TI Georgia challenged this ban in September 2013 for being vaguely worded, discriminatory, unconstitutional – and likely to have a negative effect on the development of the agricultural sector. TI Georgia’s case, Mathias Huter v Parliament of Georgia, was heard by the Constitutional Court in January 2014 and a judgment is currently awaited. "This temporary ban was justified by the government as necessary to give themselves time, "to develop a uniform state policy on agricultural land ownership and organize an integrated land cadastre by December 2013”, as stipulated in the then law. The government has missed this deadline and is now seeking to extend this deadline to 30th November 2014 in the new draft law". For the full text Source:transparency.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Young Barristers" has organized a legal conference on the Khudonhesi Project with participation of human rights activists. Representatives of CSOs, executive authorities and business have participated in the conference. For the full text. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Coalition for "Media Advocacy" echoes the draft legislative amendments on switchover to digital broadcasting adopted by the Parliament of Georgia through expedited procedures. Amendments are made to the Laws on the "Electronic Communications" and "Licenses and Permits". For the full text (geo) Source: media.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released a publication: "Priorities of the 2012-2014 Budgets of Georgia: Analysis and Recommendations", authored by MikheilKukava. For the full text. Source: transparency.ge

Shida Kartli. Mariam Khatiashvili, Public Affairs Section intern at the Embassy Tbilisi visited U.S. Embassy Bookmobile to give a presentation and teach students about language learning video game called Trace Effects. The free game is available for everyone, if you feel like improving your English through an interactive game visit: http://americanenglish.state.gov Source:the organization's page in the social network

Samegrelo. A partnership memorandum was signed between the "Centre for Civil monitoring and Studies” and the municipalities of Tsalenjikha and Chkhotsku. The aim of the memorandum is to provide support to "Monitoring of the local self-government of the Tsalendghikha and Chkhotskhu municipalities” project, thereby the population will be well informed about the responsibilities and competencies of the local municipalities as well as generally citizens’ rights and responsibility. Source: Web-page of the organization in social network.

Tbilisi. The Council of the Charter of Journalistic Ethics released an appeal, in which the organization expresses concern over verbal insult of the journalist of newspaper "Guria News" by the Ozurgeti Municipality Gamgebeli. For the full text (geo) Source: qartia.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to Transparency International – Georgia, "the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights and Civil Integration examines the legislative proposal submitted by the "Union of Public and Political Organizations - In the Name of God - God is Our Truth" on the draft Law of Georgia on Introduction of Alternative Personal Identity Cards in Georgia," says TI's web page in the social network. The organization notes that "one of the important requirements of the visa regime liberalization action plan with the EU concerns the security of travel documents of the citizens. EU requests Georgia to switch to documents with biometric parameters as soon as possible. Therefore, allowing alternative IDs without relevant biometric parameters seriously undermines the process of further integration with the Europe." Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Adjara. With support of the Batumi City Hall, the Batumi Branch of First Step Georgia has organized a presentation on the importance of early intervention with children having special needs. Further, the "Early Intervention Program" was presented, implemented by the Branch for the second consecutive year for children with special needs aged 0-7. Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. On February 19 the representatives of the Bolnisi schools’ civil clubs by the initiative of the organization "Siqa”, and within the framework of the "Programme of Civil Education and Teachers’ Retraining”, visited the National Centre of Intellectual Property. The schoolchildren were introduced by the chief for department for foodstuffs and geographic marking to techniques of registration of new Georgian brands and copyright issues. The visitors were also given a tour in the library, the marani, and the reception hall. Source: Web-page of the organization in social network.

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and Transparency International Georgia welcome the readiness of the ruling coalition in terms of raising an election barrier up to  50% for the upcoming municipal elections. For the full text Source:gyla.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On February 19 a discussion was held in the office of the democrat women of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The meeting was guided by the organization "Journalists’ Network For Gender Equality”. Governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as the representatives of media and international organizations talked about gender problems in Georgia, raising the conscience, equality and women participation in politics.

Tbilisi. The Ethic Commission of the Advocates Association held a meeting on legislative issues of practice and discipline. During the meeting were discussed main principles of professional activity, and the reclaiming of independence, trust, confidentialism, collegialism, and advocacy activity. Source: Web-page of the organization in social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Within the framework of peer education, the members of the Youth Network of Akhaltsikhe held a presentation about effective management of the waste. The event was held within the framework of "Strengthening of the National Integration” project implemented by UN Association, with financial help of USAID. Source: Web-page of Meskhian democrats in social media.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure journalists’ safety following last night’s violence in Kyiv during which Vesti daily journalist Vyacheslav Veremyi was killed. For the full text Source:media.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia has released information in the social network, pursuant to which the Ministry of Finance of Georgia and the Revenue Service, having lost the case of carriers against TI - Georgia in the courts of first and second instance, have filed a complaint in the Supreme Court. The organization states that the "Supreme Court of Georgia violates procedural term for rendering a decision on admission of the carriers' case into proceedings ... The Administrative Chamber has received cassation complaints into proceedings for checking the admissibility on 14 November 2013. Pursuant to Article 401 of the Civil Procedure Code of Georgia, term for checking the admissibility of a cassation complaint should not exceed 3 months. Accordingly, the Supreme Court should have rendered a decision on either admissibility or inadmissibility of cassation complaints no later than February 14. Unfortunately, the decision is still not available." For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The CSO "Young Barristers” initiated a campaign to provide the population information on EU-Georgia relations. The campaign began from the Rustaveli underground station. The organization delivered a specially printed newspaper "Georgia on the road towards EU”. The organization plans to organize identical campaigns in the regions. Source: Web-page of the organization in social network.