Shida Kartli. As part of the project "Youth Engagement and Development", the Gori Office of the Center "Abkhazeti" has hosted on October 26 the schoolchildren affiliated in the school-based education clubs. Youngsters underwent training in the "Use of Information Communication Technologies, Social Networks". At the training they learned how to write an article for the social network (Facebook) page and create a blog (Wordpress). Schoolchildren will share gained knowledge with their peers affiliated in the school-based clubs (public schools of eight villages of the Gori Municipality), for which they will start delivering seminars in schools this week. The project is funded by USAID and is implemented with support of UNICEF.

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Institute has developed a guide - "Set-Off of Donations Made to Welfare Organizations from the Profit Tax". The guide aims to assist not-for-profit legal entities, charity organizations, enterprises and entrepreneurial natural persons to effectively apply regulations under the Tax Code, which promote making donations to welfare organizations. Drafting of the document was preceded by the expert meetings of the Civil Society Institute and the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) with representatives of not-for-profit legal entities. The Civil Society Institute has developed this publication as part of the "Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia" program of the "East-West Management Institute". The guide: "Set-Off of Donations Made to Welfare Organizations from the Profit Tax".(geo)

Tbilisi. "Go Group" has released a new video in the social network. It is recorded in Samegrelo and depicts the activities of one lady who possesses a unique technology for creating Megrelian felt capes. "Go Group" has produced the video in partnership with the gender network "Mercury". The video. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the Core and Institutional Support Project for the EPRC, and with the financial support of the Think Tank Fund of the Open Society Foundations, Economic Policy Research Center presented the seventh report: Georgian Economic Outlook – 2013. This paper covers the major economic developments in the country over the past year and highlights ongoing challenges that need to be addressed with due diligence by economic policymakers and other relevant institutions. Report Source: eprc.ge

Tbilisi. On October 25 the School of Liberalism has hosted the lecture of philosopher Giga Zedania on "What Is Fundamentalism?" The Center provides a video recording of the lecture for those who were unable to attend. The lecture. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Director and Deputy Director of the Children and Youth Development Fund have visited a social enterprise on October 29, which is funded by the Fund. Youth CSO "Davitianni" has started up the enterprise, in which youngsters with disabilities are employed, working on the wood materials. Hand-made children's toys will be sold in various gift shops in the near future. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. On October 29, experts of Article 42 of Constitution have met with entrepreneurs in Gori. The organization's lawyers have consulted interested persons on tax issues, as well as informed the audience about legislative amendments in the tax sector and the types of tax control procedures and inspections. The attendees were briefed on injunctive measures for payment of tax arrears and the effective ways of solving the tax disputes. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Imereti. The International Education and Development Academy has hosted a meeting of the English Speaking Club. During the studies, the Club members have applied new learning methodology based on games, discussions and other entertaining tools. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

The Civil Society Institute has organized trainings in Kutaisi and Ozurgeti on the Tax Code. The financiers and lawyers of CSOs operating in the Imereti and Guria Regions have attended the meetings. The trainings have focused on the issues of taxation of CSOs. Meetings were already held in Tbilisi, Gori, Akhaltsikhe, Telavi and Marneuli. Last training on the Tax Code will be held on October 30 in Batumi. The event is implemented with financial support of USAID, as part of the "Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia" program (G-PAC) of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI).

International Election Observation Mission published a statement on preliminary findings and conclusions. Statement is the result of a common endeavour involving the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the European Parliament (EP) and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA). "The 27 October presidential election was efficiently administered, transparent and took place in an amicable and constructive environment. Fundamental freedoms of expression, movement, and assembly were respected and candidates were able to campaign without restriction. The campaign environment was without major irregularities. The media was less polarized during this election, and presented a broad range of viewpoints. On election day, voters were able to express their choice freely”, says the statement. Statement Source: osce.org

Tbilisi. "Identity carries out the survey to study the state of LGBT persons in Georgia. Any LGBT person can fill in the questionnaire, regardless of using the services of "Identity" before that. The questionnaire.(geo) Source: identoba.com

Tbilisi. The exhibition of US universities will be held on November 2 with support of the network "US Education", the US State Department and the Center for International Education. The National Library of the Parliament (7 Gudiashvili Str.) will host the exhibition from 14:30 to 17:00. Attendance is free and those interested must register. Agenda of the events: 14:30 - Opening of exhibition, 26 US universities will be presented! 15:00 - Presentation on the US Government exchange programs 15:30 - Presentation "5 steps towards higher education in the US!" 17:30 - Win the cups, T-shirts and other souvenirs at the end of exhibition! Register: www.educationusa.info/fairs/tbilisi2013/ Tel: (995-32) 2 252615 - Center for International Education The exhibition is organized with support of the US Embassy in Georgia and the American Councils. Source: Center for International Education.

Tbilisi. Human Rights Center released a statement  regarding Fact of Interference into Journalistic Reporting of Gela Mtivlishvili. "Human Rights Center expresses concern regarding the fact of interference into journalistic reporting of Gela Mtivlishvili, editor of Kakheti Information Center at Chikaani #14 Precinct Election Commission in Kakheti. Gela Mtivlishvili was verbally abused, unlawfully prohibited to film the electoral process and expelled from the electoral district", says the organization's web-page. Human Rights Center addresses CEC to "objectively study incident occurred at Chikaani #14 PEC and react adequately against the unlawful behavior of the head of the PEC and other members of the commission. Besides, Human Rights Center addressed Chief Office of Prosecutor to start investigation regarding illegal interference into journalistic reporting offence envisaged according to article 154 of the Criminal Code".  For full text Source:humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. NGO "Young Lawyers" released a statement. Organization estimates that "transparency of presidential elections held on October 27, 2013 is an opportunity for the country to start the real democratic reforms and to actively involve people in politics. The organization focuses on the voters’ freedom of expression, election administration and the election day free of violence signs", says the statement. For full text Source:the organization's page in the social network

Adjara. "AgroService Center" has organized a meeting on October 28: "Disease and Immunization of Rabies". Students of the Biology Faculty of the ShotaRustaveli State University of Batumi and representatives of state agencies and CSOs have attended the meeting. Meeting participants have mainly discussed the situation concerning the rabies virus in Adjara and stressed the urgency of finding the ways of problem solution, which, in the opinion of the attendees, must be achieved through the regulation of legislative base, informing the population, building shelters for shelterless animals and researching their diseases. Meeting participants have discussed also mass immunization of animals and exercise of control over their birth rate.

Shida Kartli. In October, in the frames of NEO project, in Shida Kartli region the mobilization process taking place in 12 new communities came to an end. The process launched in July of the present year and was divided into 2 staged. On the first stage, in the target communities the locals were informed regarding the project and the interested persons filled the medieval questionnaires.On the base of the above mentioned questionnaires the people who were moved to the second stage were chosen. They filled the detailed questionnaires where they described their business ideas and experience.Totally 224 persons took part in the mobilization process out of which 68 were selected to proceed cooperation with.In the near future the selected beneficiaries will receive various economic packages. The project is implemented in the frames of the NEO project facilitated by NGO "CiDA” and Financed by USAID.

Tbilisi. As part of the Civic Education and Teacher Training Program, SIQA has organized the visit of the civic club members and teachers to the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia. Visitors heard the stories of creation and development of the Library and old Tbilisi. The guide has shown to guests the exhibition hall, as well as the reading hall of the German literature. Youngsters were given concrete advice for checking out the books. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. Gori Youth Center functioning with the CSO "Gori Club of the Disabled" has launched the advocacy campaign concerning the problem of a garbage dump in village Tedotsminda. Youngsters have addressed the Cleaning Service of the local Municipality and drafted a letter signed by the residents of village Tedotsminda, submitted also with the Cleaning Service. Youngsters will monitor the process further. Source: page of Advancing National Integration - Gori Youth Center in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Charter of Journalistic Ethics has released a statement on the work of media during the election day. "Although compared to previous elections the presidential election of October 27 was held much more peacefully, the facts of obstruction, pressuring and insult against professional activities of journalists have been reported, which the Charter finds alarming... the Charter of Journalistic Ethics believes that obstructing the professional activities of journalists is unacceptable, as well as incorrect interpretation of resolution adopted by the Central Election Commission last year", says the organization's web page. For the full text (geo) Source: qartia.org.ge

Tbilisi. A mobile group of the "Georgian Young Constitutionalists' Association" has observed the presidential election of October 27 during the entire day. The organization's representatives have monitored up to 60 election precincts Tbilisi-wide. "Notably, the polling process unfolded in a peaceful environment and significant violations have not been reported. Further, the Association's members have assisted several citizens in the exercise of their right to vote", says the organization's page in the social network. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The youth movement Davitianni has organized an event dedicated to the International Animation Day. To celebrate the Day, up to 35 children with disabilities have gathered in the Tbilisi Zoo. Painting contest was held and the Georgian cartoons were shown. Students of the Arts Academy have painted one of the Zoo walls with the Georgian cartoon characters. The event aimed at popularizing the Georgian cartoons and animation characters.

The Homeowners and Tenants Associations established in the IDP settlements in Imereti, Samegrelo, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions were granted with the maintenance tool kits. More specifically, 30 Homeowners and Tenants Associations functioning within the project "Developing and Maintaining the Homeowners and Tenants Association" received the tools. The tool kits will be used for maintenance of the common property of the Homeowners and Tenants Associations. Furthermore, the Maintenance Teams’ members will have the opportunity to provide private services to generate an extra income with the tools and thus contribute to the common fund of Associations.  The project is being implemented with the support of USAID New Economic Opportunities (NEO) program. Source:the organization’s page in the social network