Adjara.The discussion was held on October 13 in the Batumi Press Cafe on – "Television channel 25, new owner and the state". This discussion was held as part of the project – "Development of Democratic Ideas". representatives of political parties and CSOs, students and journalists of local media outlets have participated in the discussion. The participants have discussed the developments accompanying the sale of "TV 25". Recording of the discussion (Geo)

Tbilisi.NGO "Mariani" operates to create the accessible and safe environment for the blind living in Georgia. The organization works on the rehabilitation and social integration, space orientation and development of living skills of the blind and shortsighted persons. Under the organization's aegis, individual lessons both with children and adults are available. "Mariani" was founded with the support of the Polish Foundation "Ari Ari". "Mariani's" page in the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On October 12, an open lesson in civic education was held in the Borjomi Public School N3. Topic of the lesson was "What have human rights changed in the history of humanity". The event was attended by up to 20 civic education teachers from the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, the Akhaltsikhe Youth Center and the "Harmony" Foundation. The event was planned as part of the "Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program" and it includes delivering open lessons in civic education in the schools of various municipalities of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, with participation of the civic education teachers involved in this program. Open lessons in civic education aim to identify the exemplary lessons in this field and share experience.

Kakheti.The meeting was held on October 12 in the Telavi Civic Engagement Center as part of the advocacy program, with financial support of the East-West Management Institute. The meeting was organized by the Civil Society Research and Development Center. The event aimed at informing the Telavi Municipality population about the advocacy process. "It was a very good meeting, I liked it. We got familiar with the elements of advocacy process, which I will use in the future. It will be useful to have another meeting on this topic, this time with a larger audience", – says Telavi resident NanuliMazniashvili.

Adjara. On October 14, the organization "Borjghali" organized a meeting in the Batumi Office of the Public Defender on "Socio-legal state of eco-migrants in Georgia". Representatives of youth organizations and student initiative groups operating in Adjara were invited to the meeting. The meeting aimed to identify the problems in eco-migration field, to inform the youth about this issue in details, hear their opinions and elaborate on future prospects. At the meeting the representatives of "Borjghali" informed the youth in details about the existing situation - key problems and needs of eco-migrants. In addition, recommendations developed by "Borjghali" were discussed, which concern the improvement of the state policy in the field of eco-migration and introduction of effective state regulations.

Tbilisi. The Civic Development Institute delivered a training in Tbilisi in civic education. Teachers of the beginning grades from public and private schools have attended the training. The training aimed at presenting to the attendees the purpose, structure and recommendations for use of a specially-developed handbook. The teachers got familiar with the notion of a student-oriented civic education. Training program was developed especially for the EU-funded project "New Opportunities for Children with Education Needs". For full text (Geo) Source: cdi.org.ge

Samegrelo. NGOs "New Generation New Initiative" and "ISFED" have filed the appeal in the Zugdidi District Election Commission #67, requesting the invalidation of results on two election precincts. The Zugdidi District Commission has rejected the request of NGOs on invalidation.

Tbilisi. On October 7, the charity event was held at the initiative of the civic club members of the Tbilisi Public School #181 for the children of socially unprotected large families. "One beautiful day" was the title of the initiative, as part of which 15 youngsters have participated in the events organized by the civic club in the Tbilisi zoo territory: intellectual games, drawing competition, movie, and gifts to the children. Civic club members plan to repeat similar activities. For full text Source: civics.ge

Tbilisi. The civil society organization "Caucasian House" launched the course "Religion, Poetry, Life". Attendance is free and the course is led by the Head of the "Caucasian House" Naira Gelashvili. For full text (Geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. With the support of the "Open Society – Georgia" Foundation, the representatives of the coalition "For Freedom of Choice" and the initiative group of independent experts have studied the activities of the Financial Monitoring Service of Political Parties of the State Audit Office (Chamber of Control). The monitoring covers the period from establishment of this Service until the end of August. The coalition released the results to the public on October 12. Report on monitoring of the State Audit Office (Geo) Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The congress of the Georgian Small and Medium Enterprises Association was held on October12. According to the agenda, a new charter was approved, following which the new President of the organization and the Supervisory Board were elected. Vice-President of the Association Kakha Kokhreidze was elected as the President of the Georgian Small and Medium Enterprises Association. The Association's President Giorgi Isakadze was elected as the member of the Supervisory Board. The following persons remain as members of the Supervisory Board - Kakha Kokhreidze, Konstantine Zaldastanishvili (Secretary General of the EU–Georgia Business Council); elected were – Maia Eristavi (Director of International Chamber of Commerce), Nino Panjikidze (Deputy Executive Director of the Georgian Business Association), heads of the Association's member companies: Giorgi Zviadadze (company "GlobalCell"), Shota Malaghuradze ("Transcaucasus"), Davit Kurkhuli (company "Express Line Service"), Mikheil Chelidze (auditor of the audit company "Financial Office"). The Supervisory Board has nine members. Source: Small and Medium Enterprises Association.

Tbilisi. As part of the mandate of the Penal Reform International, the civil society organizations were monitoring the election process in the penitentiary institutions. Monitoring was carried out at 12 election precincts opened in the penitentiary institutions. The following organizations were observing the process – "Article 42 of the Constitution", Association "Woman and Business", "Human Rights Priority", "Democracy Institute", Association "Tanaziari". The organization "Penal Reform International" plans to submit recommendations to the Central Election Commission and the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance of Georgia in order to ensure more compliance with the legislation in the future in terms of eliminating the flaws identified in the course of elections. For full text Source: article42.ge

Tbilisi. In partnership with SIQA, as part of the program "Youth in Action" the Dutch CSO in Tbilisi has organized the training course from September 25 to October 3 in the "European Identity and Democracy". 35 youngsters from 4 countries, including 8 Georgians, have participated in the project. Project participants were observing the election process in various districts of Tbilisi in the capacity of international observers. For full text (Geo) Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The civil society representatives and various organizations offer to the Parliament the candidature of Lia Mukhashavria, human rights activist and lawyer, for the position of the Public Defender of Georgia. For full text Source: ginsc.net

Adjara. On October11, the youth organization "Art Way" has presented the project "Re-Animation" in the Civic Engagement Center. This project aims to develop number of recommendations for the central and local authorities on provision of the city with infrastructure required for the blind and independent movement. In addition, it aims to promote the degree of integration of the blind in the society. Project duration is 6 months, and various evenings and events will be organized and held city-wide throughout this period. The project is implemented with the financial support of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI).

Mtskheta-Mtianeti.The Dusheti Development Fund implements the "Social Development Center" project. It aims to promote personal growth and development of the population, as well as to prepare them theoretically and practically for improving their living conditions. A training center was established as part of the project. At first stage beneficiaries were selected and trained as trainers. 200 beneficiaries were trained at the second stage. For full text (Geo)

Samtskhe-Javakheti.On October 11, the organization "Center for International Education" has presented in Akhaltsikhe the education curricula and scholarships of the US and European universities. The first meeting was held in the hall of the Scientific Library of the Akhaltsikhe State University, where the Center representatives have informed the students about various education programs and major requirements for studying abroad. In addition, they have answered the students' questions and distributed the information leaflets to the participants. The "Center for International Education" was established on the base of the program of "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation - consultation center for international education. The organization aims at assisting the students and professionals in using the international education opportunities and raising their knowledge.

Shida Kartli. As part of the "Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program", the training was held on October 10 and  11 in the Association "Biliki" (path) for the students of the Gori-based and Gori Municipality schools in "Advocacy - Grounds for Social Changes". First day of the training was dedicated to theoretical knowledge, and among the discussed topics were the notion and purpose of advocacy, effective advocacy campaign and its stages, various roles of the process managers, types of advocacy, and management and monitoring of advocacy results. Group work was organized on the second day - the participants chose a problem of concern to them and discussed the ways of its solution. The presentations were delivered after the group work on how would they plan the advocacy process in order to solve the selected problems. The participants expressed the desire to deliver similar trainings directly in the school clubs and educate their peers and other students by informing them on advocacy. 22 adolescents from various schools have participated in the training. In the near future it is planned to deliver the training "Advocacy - Grounds for Social Changes" for the students of the Khashuri and Kaspi Municipality public schools.

Samtskhe-Javakheti.On October 11, the training was held in the "Union of Democrat Meskhetians" as part of the project – "Trust-Building in the South Caucasus" - titled "Effective Ways of Obtaining Information". PhD in psychology GulikoBekauri led the training. "Trust-Building in the South Caucasus" is the joint program of the United Nations Associations of Georgia and Sweden, which is oriented on building trust among various groups and promoting the civil society, and which includes discussions, trainings and joint camps for the young leaders.

Adjara. On October 10 the Batumi Arts House "Argani” held a meeting with the volunteers of the Batumi International Film Festival. The meeting aimed at summarizing BIAFF 2012 and getting familiar with the volunteers’ thoughts about the quality of the held film festival. Apart from being involved in the project organization-wise, in parallel they studied in the BIAFF summer school, where they acquired skills of a film director. The project was implemented with the financial support of the "Open Society – Georgia” Foundation and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara

Guria. A meeting was held in the Ozurgeti Civic Engagement Center on October 10, where the future of archaeological remains of the Ozurgeti’s historic baths was discussed with public participation. Representatives of the National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and the Ozurgeti Historic Museum, as well as historians, journalists and ordinary citizens have participated in the discussion.

Tbilisi. On October 13, in relation to the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, "Open Society – Georgia” Foundation organizes photo-exhibition – "Living until the end of life”. In addition, the documentary "Sisters” will be presented, concerning the activities of a hospice functioning with the Mothers’ Monastery of Transfiguration. October 13 – the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is celebrated in Georgia under the slogan "Living until the end of life: palliative care for the elderly”. For full text (Geo) Source: the organization's page in the social network