Tbilisi.Georgian Down Syndrome Association has initiated a new and significant project titled "Action with Equal Rights."  The project aims to empower young people with Down syndrome, enabling them to become self-advocates and increasing their participation in civil activism. Through the project's activities, Georgian Down Syndrome Association aim to cultivate self-advocates within the country who possess the skills to participate in various advisory councils for people with disabilities.  They will be equipped to articulate their rights and advocate for the enhancement of the quality of life for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The financial support for the project comes from the NDI head office, as part of the Equal Rights in Action Fund program. More... Source: Georgian Down Syndrome Association

“For Italy, the European Union constitutes a project of peace, mutual growth and common security.” Ambassador of the Italian Republic shares his experience about Italy’s membership in the EU. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Explore the Expo Georgia map and kickstart your Europe Day plans with us on May 11th! Join us to make memories together at this exciting event! map... Source: European Union in Georgia 

The Europe edition of the popular game “What? Where? When?” was successfully launched in 2023. Throughout 2024, the game will also be played in other municipalities of Georgia, including Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, Kvemo Kartli Region, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, and the Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region. The questions for the game were tailored to enable youth to learn more about the European Union in a fun and interactive manner. School students from grades. In alignment with Europe Day activities, this quiz game marathon is designed to make learning about the European Union engaging and interactive. The marathon will progress across all regions of Georgia. More... Source: European Union in Georgia 

“I do not normally use the expression “a dream come true”, but the sensation for the majority of the Bulgarian population when we joined the EU was very close to it.” -  Find out more about what the EU membership means for Bulgarian people in the interview with the country’s Ambassador. More... Source: European Union in Georgia 

The protests against the reintroduction of Georgia's law on transparency of foreign influence have been consistent since the reintroduction of it. The situation escalated as police clashed with demonstrators, leading to injuries and arrests on April 16. Police aggressively dispersed protesters behind parliament, using pepper spray and physical force. 13 peaceful demonstrators have been detained. Throughout the night, Georgian non-governmental organizations diligently searched detention centers for the detainees, engaging with them, documenting rights violations. Journalists covering the events also faced violence from law enforcement. The bill's first vote was postponed for a day due to lengthy parliamentary debates, while tens of thousands continued protests outside. On April 17, the Georgian Parliament passed the law “on transparency of foreign influence” in its first reading with 83 votes in favor and none against, despite strong opposition from international partners, opposition MPs and politicians, and ongoing public protests near the Parliament building. The protests remained peaceful, however, police arrested two more people, one of whom they said had a weapon. President Zourabichvili appealed to European leaders, denouncing the bill as a threat to Georgia's European aspirations. Several high-profile Georgian sportspeople made posts expressing opposition to the draft law and supporting country’s European future. The reintroduced legislation faced renewed criticism from Western officials after the first reading. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, called on Georgian Dream to withdraw the bill, stating that it contradicts fundamental EU principles and values. The United Nations human rights office also urged Georgian authorities to withdraw the draft law. In Washington, the State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel also reiterated the US’s concern that the foreign agent bill could “stigmatize civil society organizations working to improve the lives of Georgian citizens and media organizations operating within Georgia.” The bill has yet to pass its second and third readings, although this time, unlike last year, without an accelerated procedure. The ruling majority is expected to pass the bill in its final, third reading on May 17. The law's enactment would undermine democratic principles and stifle civil society, drawing parallels to restrictive measures in Russia.

Tbilisi. UNDP Georgia publishes the compilation of articles ‘Human Rights Protection: European Experience and National Challenges’.  This impressive collection shares European countries' human rights protection experiences from legislative and practical perspectives. Serving as a valuable resource for decision-makers, lawyers, human rights defenders, and scholars, the publication has been produced by თსუ საერთაშორისო სამართლის ინსტიტუტი • TSU International Law Institute with assistance from European Union in Georgia, UNDP Georgia, and OHCHR. More... Source: UNDP Georgia

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person.  Newsletter...

Mckheta-Mtianeti.On April 14, Education Development and Employment Center organized a workshop for young people living in Dusheti. “The history of women’s emancipation – the Georgian history of the struggle for rights in the field of education, work and property, self-expression, freedom from violence, civil and political participation, the role of women in the Georgian enlightenment and the political processes of the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918-1921 – these were the main issues of the workshop organized in Dusheti. The meeting was chaired by philosopher, researcher, professor of Iv. Javakhishvili State University Lela Gaprindashvili.  The workshop was organized within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative: Sustainable, Transparent and Accountable Civil society Organizations (CSOs) for the Development of Georgia” (2021-2025).  The project is implemented by the Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and composed of the following CSOs: Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), and Institute for European Politics (IEP). More... Source: Education Development and Employment Center

"For Spain, being part of the EU, was really a recognition. It was a dream come true.” If you want to know more on what the EU membership means for Spain watch the Charge d’Affairs of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in the video   More... Source: European Union in Georgia

“It meant joining a community of friends and neighbours with shared values, with common goals.”- Watch the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, reflecting on Austria's EU accession. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Imereti.EU and UNDP Help Revitalize Perevi Village through Rural Entrepreneurship. The EU and UNDP provide Perevi residents with resources they need to kickstart rural entrepreneurship and prevent migration from village to cities or abroad in search of better employment opportunities. Read the success stories of women beneficiaries of the project here Source: European Union in Georgia

“Thanks to Europe, we do not have to choose between peace, freedom and our culture. This is also true for the candidate countries. It is also true for Georgia.”   Watch the Ambassador of France in Georgia sharing her experience of what does it mean to be part of the EU family. More... Source: European Union in Georgia 

“The European Union meant possibilities and opportunities for young generation, for the future.”   Find out from the Ambassador of Hungary what it meant for her country to have joined the EU in the video below. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

European Union in Georgia publishes a video. "Our commitment extends to preserving Georgia's invaluable cultural heritage, nurturing the growth of its creative sectors, reviving the splendor of historic cities, empowering local producers, and unlocking the full potential of its tourism industry." More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.Transparency International Georgia publishes a joint statement of organizations. "Yesterday, on April 11, "Georgian Dream" published on its official Facebook page the message of the general secretary of the party, the mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, with the following content: "No union is worth giving up the interests of my country and people." "Georgian Dream" is already spreading similar messages openly.  Recently, the large-scale anti-Western campaign, the attempt to pass the Russian law, and the neglect of the appeals of Georgia's European and American friends make us think that "Georgian Dream" is trying to change the western course of the country. We remind the government that Georgia's Euro-Atlantic course is the unwavering will and choice of the Georgian people, which is confirmed in Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia.  This article obliges the government to take all measures to join the European Union and NATO. The attempt to adopt the Russian law and the rhetoric of the party's high-ranking officials against joining the European Union are a betrayal of the Constitution and the Georgian people." More.. Source: Transparency International Georgia

 USAID/Georgia publishes information about the USAID Resilient Communities Program Since launching in 2022, the USAID Resilient Communities Program has already issued $3.1 million in grants to 110 businesses and community organizations located near the Administrative Boundary Lines. USAID has facilitated $5.2 million more in private investment.  This has helped local businesses create local prosperity. This is just one example of how we partner with Georgia to strengthen communities – supporting businesses, creating jobs, improving public services, and partnering with local government and civil society. More... Source: USAID/Georgia

Watch the Ambassador of the Netherlands in the video below to learn more about what does it mean for her country to be part of the European Union. “The EU is the largest market in the world. For a trading country like the Netherlands it creates jobs and makes sure that the products in our shops meet the highest standards.”  More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.Tallinn University (TLU) and the Danish Refugee Council in Georgia (DRC) are joining hands in an innovative partnership aimed at fostering social entrepreneurship and enhancing development-based skills in Georgia and Ukraine! This collaboration is all about putting social entrepreneurship at the forefront of our efforts, bridging the gap between the state and civil society organizations to create a sustainable impact.   Together with partners - Youth Innovations Centre (YIC), Association ‘Atinati’, Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), and Mariupol Youth Union (MYU) – we are setting up innovative incubators in three regions of Georgia. More... Source: DRC in the South Caucasus

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person.  Newsletter...

Tbilisi."The European Union has made it clear that its doors are open, but Georgia needs to act now to advance towards EU membership. Last week, we regrettably saw the return of a draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence. Maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations and ensuring media freedom is at the core of democracy. It is also crucial for the EU accession process. I truly hope that political leaders will implement reforms in line with the objective of joining the EU, supported by a large majority of Georgia’s citizens.”, - stated the EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski at the event, where Georgia’s Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) presented their assessment report of the implementation of the 9 steps laid out by the European Commission upon granting Georgia the EU Candidate Status. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

"CENN expresses its deep concern about the introduction of the "Foreign Agent Law" and calls on the Parliament to suspend the review process and withdraw it.  We appeal to each member of the Parliament of Georgia to show personal responsibility and spare no effort to maintain the country's democratic, European course Strategic partners have already called on Georgia to withdraw the draft law.  We also heard explanations from them about reviewing the progress of joining the European Union, which is a loss of a real chance to ensure our national interests and the well-being of our citizens.  The weakening of positions at the international level has a direct impact on the country's security and economic development..." More... Source: CENN