ShidaKartli. Representative of the local healthcare department has delivered a seminar on rabies-hydrophobia on October 8 in the Youth Center functioning with the Gori Club of Persons with Disabilities. The seminar aimed at disseminating the information on rabies, threats and challenges. The activity was planned as part of the "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" project, implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The "Gori Club of Persons with Disabilities" is the project's partner organization in Gori. Source: page of Advancing National Integration - Gori Youth Center in the social network.

Tbilisi. Last Friday the School of Liberalism has hosted the lecture of Levan Ghambashidze "Georgian Civil Society". The School provides a video recording of the lecture for those who were unable to attend. Levan Ghambashidze's lecture – "Georgian Civil Society". Source: the School's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. In partnership with the Consultations and Training Center (CTC) and the Georgian Small and Medium Enterprises Association (GSMEA), NGO Community Development Center (CDC) has carried out the study and drafted the report on programs promoting micro-entrepreneurship. The report covers the analysis of experience of the Georgian and international organizations, based on which recommendations will be submitted to the state structures on promotion of micro-entrepreneurship. Micro-Entrepreneurship as a Tool against Poverty – Report and Recommendations (geo) Source: page of the Community Development Center in the social network.

KvemoKartli. The consultation-information center was opened in Marneuli at the initiative of the UN Women's organization, which provides legal consultations to the locals. The project "Women for Equality, Peace and Development in Georgia" is implemented by the UN Women's organization in partnership with the Women's Information Center and the "TASO" Foundation, with support of the Norwegian Government. The project aims to support the IDPs, victims of conflicts and women's national minority groups, civil society and the Government, and to enhance their capabilities to protect gender equality and women's rights in Georgia. Source: ginsc.net

Imereti. On October 8, members of the Kutaisi Youth Center have presented the Advancing National Integration in Georgia project and the Youth Center to the students of the Kutaisi Tsereteli State University and the Kutaisi University. The presentation aimed to inform the students about the Advancing National Integration in Georgia project. Presenters talked about the priorities, structure, implemented activities, achieved results, statistical data and future activities of the Kutaisi Youth Center. Questions-and-answers have followed the completion of presentation. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Chisinau. Together for a European Future – 5th Annual assembly of the EaP Civil Society Forum, 4-5 October 2013 in Chisinau, Moldova. More than 250 representatives of the civil society organisations from six EaP partner countries and the EU, government representatives, European institutions and donor agencies will meet in Chisinau this week to discuss the priorities of civil society and its contribution to the reform process within the EaP. The Forum meets once a year to take stock of ongoing work and to agree on future activities. This year the general assembly will focus on the role of civil society in the context of Association Agreements that may be signed/initialed with several of the EaP countries and civil society assessment of the reform process in the EaP countries in advance of the EaP Summit in Vilnius. During parallel sessions Forum delegates will also conduct debates on some of the priorities of the EaP thematic platforms and panels and the Forum’s flagship initiatives on election, media freedom and anti-corruption. It is a tradition that the Commissioner Stefan Füle is opening the Forum with his welcome speech. Source: eapnationalplatform.ge

R-CSN spreads special statement regarding the recent event taking place in the conflict zone region, in the villages Dvani and Ditsi. The statement says that during the last few weeks so called border lining process in the villages of Dvani and Ditsi by Russian occupation forces is pretty much concerning and dangerous. According to the statement this makes the currents situation much more unsafe and tensed. For full text Source:cida.ge

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia release a blog post -  "The list of public officials filing asset declarations needs to expand”. The Georgian Ministry of Justice and the Civil Service Bureau have submitted draft amendments to the Law on Conflict of Interest and Corruption Service to Parliament. "This law establishes, among other things, the list of public officials who are required to file annual asset declarations. The proposed amendments expand the list of public officials to whom the law will apply and who will therefore be required to file annual asset declarations", says the statement. "Transparency International Georgia welcomes the proposed amendments to the Law of Conflict of Interest and Corruption. At the same time, we urge the members of Parliament to take this opportunity to consider further expansion of the list of individuals who are required to file asset declarations. Unlike some rather complex changes (such as the introduction of the content verification system) that will take some time to develop, this is a rather simple addition to the law which could be implemented in the short run and would significantly reduce corruption risks in public administration". For full text Source:transparency.ge

Adjara. The organization "Deserving Old Age" has released the video report for July, August and September for the project "Social Center for the Elderly". The video reports on activities implemented as part of the project. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum has released the appeal, by which the Platform members address Stefan Fule and Catherine Ashton. Members of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum –Georgian National Platform state their deep concern over the latest developments on the occupation line with breakaway South Ossetia. ...The process of shifting of the occupation line, while being conducted in violation of international law and the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement, has also resulted in gross violations of the rights of the residents of adjacent areas. ...We therefore call upon the European Union to condemn these illegal actions by the occupation forces and to take effective measures toward the protection of the rights of affected people and sovereignty of Georgia. Moreover, activation of the international mechanisms to ensure security and protection of the rights of those affected is essential. For the full text Source: eapnationalplatform.ge

Tbilisi.On October 8, 2013 GYLA applied officially to the State Audit Service for examination of the program for Rehabilitation of Historic Districts and Tourism Infrastructure in Batumi carried out by Batumi local self-government in 2009-2013. GYLA is ready to submit copies of all official documents to the State Audit Service, if needed. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Adjara. Youth NGO "Young Collegium" has launched on October 7 a new project "Week of Discussions". As part of the week, the first meeting was held between the Batumi Mayor and youngsters, aiming at informing the youngsters about the activities of the Batumi City Hall and establishing direct communication with the Mayor. "Week of Discussions" will last until the end of October, with participation of the Adjara Government representatives.

Kakheti. CSO "Public Council" has launched the pre-election discussions. According to the organization's representative JumberSakhiashvili, to make the civil society active they often organize meetings with the representatives of as non-government, as well as governmental organizations. "Because there is a pre-election period currently, we planned meetings with representatives of political parties running in the elections. We will meet with all of them and listen to their vision on the development of Telavi and solution of current problems." On October 7 the "Public Council" has organized a meeting in the Telavi Civic Engagement Center with representatives of the Telavi Office of Georgian Dream, attended by NGO representatives, journalists and interested persons.

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers' Association released a statement about Bacho Akhalaia’s trial. GYLA has been monitoring court hearings on Bacho Akhalaia’s case and concludes that prosecution’s conduct contains signs of deliberate delay of the trial. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Adjara. A volunteer event was held on October 7 in the social center of the elderly "Deserving Old Age". The film "Happiness" on the social problems and the women's rights was shown. After the film, beneficiaries of the center of the elderly have expressed their opinions. The event was carried out as part of the "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" project, implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia with financial support of the US Agency for International Development. Source: page of the Batumi Youth Center in the social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Members of the Akhalkalaki Youth Center were trained in project drafting. The event was organized as part of the "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

At the initiative of the Georgian Red Cross Society, a celebratory week was dedicated to the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. From 1 to 6 of October, events were organized in 14 districts of Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Gori, Telavi, Khelvachauri, Senaki, Sachkhere, Dusheti, Marneuli, Bolnisi, Sagarejo, Kvareli and Akhmeta. The week took off with the human chain from Adjara to Akhmeta, involving up to 700 youngsters and elderly persons. The events included also grape-picking, exhibition-sale, performances and festive concerts, planting of saplings and competitions. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. In Gori 20 probationers will acquire the secondary professions within the "Crime Prevention and Social Integration Supporting Program" implemented by Charity Humanitarian Centre "Abkhazeti”. The relevant trainings will take place in the state Vocational Education College "Gantiadi". The project beneficiaries have been already introduced to the learning methodology and rules, they have met the trainers and they got enrolled into the following vocational training groups: IT repairing and construction surface craftsmanship. The first training for the beneficiaries was introductory; the trainers reveled the interests of the beneficiaries and established the plan of issues they should further follow. The trainings will be conducted twice a week in the college. Source:the organization's page in the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has released another podcast of parliamentary news. The edition covers the following topics: the Parliament announces a break until the elections; the Law on the Common Courts; work of the Investigative Commission; other audio materials. Podcast of parliamentary news – 7 October (geo) Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Members of the Youth Parliament of Georgia have organized a briefing and appealed to international community with an open letter. In the letter youngsters urge "to take every effort to prevent illegal actions of the Russian armed forces". Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Ciné-DOC Tbilisi Documentary Film Festival - is the first international documentary festival in the South of Caucasus that focuses on creative documentary. The festival will take place from 15 - 20 October 2013 in Tbilisi. The general audience will have the chance to view a variety of documentary films with a unique directing vision, an original visual style, sympathetic protagonists and powerful stories. The film screenings will be followed by open discussions and debates, master classes with renowned film directors, open sessions with invited international guests. For full text Source:osgf.ge

Tbilisi. Organization "Identity" has released a short film "Other Georgia". The film uses intercutting to show village Dvani and Tbilisi on 5 October 2013, – "Cohabitation of occupation and 'Tbilisoba' – 2 Georgias". The film.  Source: identoba.com