Tbilisi. The training of the Ilia State University and the ALPE Foundation "Successful Elections - Sustainable Democracy" was organized in the Tbilisi Youth Center. Non-Georgian language students of higher education institutions, students of various higher education institutions and members of the Tbilisi Center have participated in the training organized in the format of the program of the Center of Electoral Systems Development, Reforms and Training of the Central Election Commission. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. According to the statement released in the social network, the organization "Young Barristers" demand fundamental control of the safety of logistics of the Defense Ministry. For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. On October 5, the Director and Deputy Director of the Children and Youth Development Fund have presented the blind parish of the Tamar Mepe Church with the dot type canticles in the Ponichala Settlement. The books were printed as part of the project funded by the Fund. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Kakheti. CSO "Women in the Regions of Georgia" has organized a meeting on October 7 in the Telavi Civic Engagement Center. The meeting aimed at developing women's entrepreneurship in Georgia and simplifying the fund-raising process. Respectively, women entrepreneurs have attended the meeting.

Tbilisi. As part of the competition "Students for the Support of Social Entrepreneurship 2013", the Center for Social Entrepreneurship has organized the seminar on October 4 for the students of the Georgian-American University in the "Concept of Social Entrepreneurship and Global Experience", delivered by the representative of the Eurasia Foundation. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. The Youth Parliament of Georgia together with the university students has held the rally against the Russian occupation on October 6 in Dvani. Young MPs have protested against moving of the occupation line. By means of a peaceful rally they tried to send their message to the international community and the Government of Georgia. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. "Young Barristers" have presented the study – "Possibility of Religion and Belief in Georgia" and organized a discussion round table on the topic. The organization has presented the package of recommendations for the executive, legislative and judicial authorities of Georgia, the Patriarchate of Georgia and the Editors-In-Chief of the mass information means, which discuss actions required for setting up a tolerant environment among the religious confessions. For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Kakheti. The "Festival of Folk Craft, Cooking and Art - Nukriani 2013" was held on October5 in the village Nukriani of the Sighnaghi Municipality. The Festival included the exhibition of works of individual masters and folk craft workshops operating within the Municipality, ethnographic corner, and the concert of folk ensembles. Other events included the exhibition-sale of agricultural products (agro-market); traditional Georgian cuisine; sale of local wine and bio-wine; sports events; old Georgian martial art "Khridoli"; photo exhibition-sale. The Festival is supported by: Diakonisches Werk der EKD, BfdW, Deutschland; the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia; the cultural relations center - Caucasian House; the Community Development Center; the community organization Nukriani; "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation; the Sighnaghi Municipality Gamgeoba.

Adjara. The UN Model training was delivered on October 5 for the members of the Batumi Youth Center, while the model session itself will be held in November on the crisis in Syria. As part of the event, winners will be announced who will participate in the event planned in Tbilisi. The UN Model cycle is organized as part of the "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" project (ANI), implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG) with financial support of the US Agency for International Development. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Kvemo Kartli. SIQA has marked the World Animal Day on October 4 with an event, organized with active involvement of the civic clubs of the Rustavi schools, and joined by the Rustavi-based organization for animal protection. The schoolchildren have discussed the animals' rights and duties of humans together with the founders and members of organization for animal protection. Volunteers of the US Peace Corps have also participated in the event. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Shida Kartli. Trust in Development and For Better Future are collaborating to host a networking event on Friday, October 11th and they invite all interested persons to "Travel in Akhalgori.”Members of the Akhalgori IDP community and citizens of Akhalgori will hold an open discussion about real situation in Akhalgori; sharing their first-hand experiences from both sides of the ABL. For full text Source:the organization's page in the social network

Kakheti. CSO "Student Club for Social Well-Being" has delivered the training on October5 for the students in HIV infection. The seminar aimed to inform the participants about HIV infection and the preventive measures against it.

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition released a statement on the Current Situation in Georgian Public Broadcaster. "Two members of the Board of Trustees wrote an application on resignation, while others link their decision to the implemented pressure on the Board. Other members also alleged about coercion", says the statement. For full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. On October 4, Georgian Democracy Initiative released a statement.  "On October 2, 2013 Kakheti Information Center issued video recordings of Mr Akhalaia (who is in pre-trial detention), with various visitors", says the statement. "By undertaking the surveillance, which might have also included members of the the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) members, without such authorization, the Ministry committed an illegal act. Both the Organic Law of Georgia on Public Defender of Georgia and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture provide for the confidentiality of NPM members’ meetings with inmates as well as prohibits their recording". For full text Source:gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) has presented the study "Procedure for Electing the Parliament of Georgia - Analysis of the Election System and Recommendations". The organization has presented to the public its vision and recommendations on reforming the election system of the Parliament of Georgia. The study covers the Parliament's election system and it examines the classic definitions of election systems, current procedure for electing the Parliament of Georgia, recommendations of international and local NGOs, challenges of the Georgian election system and the overview of relevant election systems. The study includes the organization's recommendations on the optimal model of the election system. Representatives of international and local NGOs, political parties, election administration and academic circles have attended the presentation. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. With the support of the LEPL Children and Youth Development Fund of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Union of Young Artists and Curators has opened an unusual exhibition on October 3, titled "Georgia of the 1990s". The building of the former editorial house hosts a one-week exhibition. Exhibited were the works created specifically on the topic of the 1990s. Opening of the exhibition was followed by a public discussion with participating artists and invited guests. After Tbilisi, at the end of October "Georgia of the 1990s" will visit other cities of Georgia as well. Source: the Children and Youth Fund.

Tbilisi. On October 1st, 2013 the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)  organized the  Policy Discussion  with the initiative of the Anti- Corruption Interdepartmental Coordination Council of the Ministry of Justice under the Open  Government Partnership. The meeting was aimed to assess the reports on the implementation of the 2012-2013 Action plan and to discuss  the vision for the 2014-2014 Action Plan Priorities. The reports of the responsible institutions regarding the completion of the 2012-2013 Open Government Partnership Action Plan were conveyed by the officials of Public Service Hall, State Services Development Agency, Data Exchange Agency, Civil Service Bureau, Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Protection, State Audit Service, Competition and State Procurement Agency, State Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Legislative Herald of Georgia. The NGOs assessment regarding the implementation of the 2012-2013  OGP Action Plan presented was Giorgi Kldiashvili, IDFI Director as well. In line with the policy discussion agenda, the participants held in depth discussion about the developments based on the reports and the future mechanisms which promote effective implementation of the initiatives at the International level as well as advancement of the accountabilities of the government towards the society. Source:idfi.ge

Adjara. The organization "Save the Children" has held a workshop on October 3 in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center, at which reduction of disaster risks through inclusive approach was discussed for the children of kindergartens and schoolchildren of specialized schools. Representatives of "Save the Children" have informed the invited guests about the project results and discussed with them joint future plans. In addition, the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding was signed with the local state agencies, concerning the partnership terms and scope of cooperation.

Tbilisi. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy and the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association have released the video – "Civil servants have no right of campaigning during the business hours". The video aims to educate the citizens in election issues. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The School of Liberalism has released the analysis of election agendas of nominees for the 2013 presidential race, drafted by the students of the School. Analysis of agendas (geo) Source: liberalizmi.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. "Young Greens" have joined the celebration of the World Animal Day on October 4. "We express our concern over the fact that Georgia is not a party to the international conventions and other acts securing the rights of animals. Only Article 259 of the Criminal Code of Georgia protects the rights of animals in the country, however, the use of this article has not been reported so far," says the organization's web page in the social network. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) published an information about Organizations Exempt from the Environmental Impact Assessment (2010-2013). IDFI received the list of organizations that are unrestricted from the Environmental Impact Assessment in 2010-2013 from the Ministry of Environmental and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia along with  the copies of the applications of the mentioned organizations requesting the permit for the Environmental Impact Assessment,  submitted to the Ministry. "Based on the received set of documents, in 2010-2013, in total,  24 projects were unrestricted from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and majority of the Project (12 projects) were given permission in  2012, the projects which had been producing asphalt and explosive substances". For full text Source:idfi.ge