Tbilisi. The organization "Tiflis Hamkari" offers to interested persons another educational tour "Tbilisi Toured on Feet - Kala-Kldisubani-Abanotubani-Kharpukhi". "During the tour we will talk about the city within the fencing: will go through Zemo Kala, Kldisubani, will see one of the oldest cult building of Tbilisi - Ateshga, the remains of the city's fencing and the ancient bastion Shahtakhti, will see the Abanotubani excavations, cleaned water ravine of Tsavkisi and will go up in Seidabad-Kharpukhi in the Grishashvili house-museum", – says the organization's official page in the social network. The tour will take place on September 15. For full text Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Imereti. The Kutaisi Education, Development and Employment Center and the Kutaisi Branch of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association have organized a round table on September 7. The problems of persons with disabilities living in Kutaisi and possible ways of their solution were discussed at the meeting. Representatives of local authorities, CSOs, regional office of the Social Service Agency and media have attended the meeting. The round table was organized within the framework of project – „Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities", which is implemented with the financial support of the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation. For full text Source: kedec.ge

Kakheti. On September 7, the Tsnori Initiative Group has organized the demonstration of the film "The Hard To Raise" in the discussion cinema club. After the film the discussion took place, during which topics such as the pros and cons of punishment methods and how can the education system prevent or facilitate the pupil's education and formation of personality were discussed. The MA in educational psychology Razmik Badalian has visited the discussion. The Tsnori Initiative Group is the youth non-governmental movement, which aims to activate the youth, creative, educational and cultural life in Tsnori and its adjacent villages, as well as to plan, promote and implement these events. For full text Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The web page www.mediamonitor.ge was created as part of the project – "Professional Media for Elections", which provides the latest interim reports on the pre-election media monitoring. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the EU and the United Nations Development Program, and its main objective is to promote the professional, impartial and balanced media coverage during the period of parliamentary and presidential elections through the monitoring. Within the project framework, the quantitative and qualitative pre-election monitoring of the Georgian television, radio, print and online media outlets is carried out. Pre-election media monitoring is carried out by 4 civil society organizations: the Caucasian Research Resources Center (CRRC), Internews-Georgia, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) and the Civic Development Institute. Source: mediamonitor.ge

Tbilisi. In September 3-5, 2012 within the framework of the project "Leaders Academy” which is implemented by the Polish organization "Foundation for Sustainable Development (FER)” in partnership with the Tkibuli District Development Fund, CENN, Elkana and the Black Sea Eco-Academy (BSEA), a Training of Trainers (ToT) was organized in Tbilisi, Georgia.  The training was attended by the representatives of the aforementioned partner organizations. The aim of the training was to transfer to the participants the knowledge and develop skills required for trainers. The trainings were conducted by the Polish experts invited from the NGO "Green Action” and "Foundation for Sustainable Development (FER)”. Upon completion the training, the participants received relevant certificates. On the next step of the project, trained participants will conduct trainings on leadership skills for the beneficiaries of the project from 5 municipalities of Georgia: Tkibuli, Terjola, Chiatura, Ambrolauri and Keda.  The project "Leaders’ Academy” is implemented with financial support of the Polish development cooperation programme 2012 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Programme "Support for Democracy”. Source: cenn

Tbilisi. On 4 October 2012, the Foundation "Iavnana" will host the charity concert of the world-renowned pianist EvgenyKissin in the Tbilisi Concert Hall. For full text Source: iavnana.ge

Tbilisi. On September 7 the National-Democratic Institute (NDI) has released the second part of the public opinion polls, which covered the ratings of political parties and the public attitude towards the upcoming parliamentary elections. According to the survey, out of the respondents who intend to participate in the elections, 37% support the United National Movement, 12% - the coalition "Georgian Dream", 22% do not know the answer, and 21% refused to answer this question. Field works for the survey were carried out during the period of 31 July – 12 August, and total of 2,038 people were interviewed Georgia-wide. The first part of the survey, which was released two days ago, depicts the population's attitude towards the democracy, reforms, foreign and domestic policies and media. NDI's public opinion polls are funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and are implemented by the Caucasian Research Resources Center (CRRC). Study  

Shida Kartli. The society "Biliki" ("Path") has hosted the forum of the members of civil clubs from the partner schools of the "Civic Education and Teachers' Training Program" of ShidaKartli. The forum held on September 4 aimed to share the experience and information and to plan the coordinated works. At the forum camp participants have made presentations and shared the experience gained in the camp. In addition, they have worked in groups and planned joint events. Total of 40 members of civic clubs from 21 partner schools of ShidaKartli have participated in the forum. Representative of the Society "Biliki" has informed the forum delegates about the organization's plans and initiatives that they will jointly implement in the future. Source: organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Member organizations of the campaign "This Affects You Too" have released the statement on September 7. They responded to the official statements of the "Ambassadors' Working Group, Eastern Partnership Georgian National Platform and the coalition "For Media Advocacy" made about the need to continue the "must carry" and "must offer" principles after the polling day and the restrictions on the dissemination of diverse information existing in the country". According to the statement, although the enactment of the described initiatives has played an important role in the availability of diverse information, receipt of information is still restricted for a certain group of citizens. Member organizations of "This Affects You Too" demand guarantees for continuing the "must carry" and "must offer" principles until transition to digital broadcasting, as well as to lift the arrest from the satellite antennas belonging to media outlets, and for the authorities to apply relevant monitoring mechanisms instead of the arrest of property.

Tbilisi. The Association of Young Economists of Georgia has delivered business skills trainings for the women farmers living in Samegrelo and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The trainings held at the end of August aimed at developing the entrepreneurial and business skills of the women farmers. Acquired knowledge will help the entrepreneurs in the effective management of family farming economies and the growth of incomes. Along with the theoretic materials, the training covered the practical cases, simulations and necessary information for the development of agrarian business. Trainings in "Business Skills for Women Farmers" are implemented as part of the USAID's "Economic Prosperity Initiative" (EPI) program. Source: economists.ge

Kakheti. At the initiative of the Women's Information Center, the women's forum "Me And My Choice" was held on September 4-5 in Telavi. The forum was held as part of the project – "Voice of Ethnic Minorities' Representative Women in the 2012 Parliamentary Elections" – and its main objective was to increase the participation of women representing ethnic minorities living in KvemoKartli and Kakheti Regions in the electoral processes. The forum has gathered 30 women from Bolnisi, Tsalka, Dedoplistskaro, Dmanisi and the Pankisi Gorge. The forum was opened up by the Head of the Women's Information Center EleneRusetski, who noted that "the forum is kind of a preparatory stage prior to the meeting of women representing ethnic minorities with the leaders of the political parties, which will be held on September 12 in Tbilisi". The representative of the Central Election Commission has also spoken in front of the delegates at the meeting, who reported about the activities of CEC during the pre-election period. During the two-day forum the participants have discussed issues of concern to them and developed joint recommendations, which will be presented to the leaders of political parties at the "podium-discussion" held in Tbilisi. The project is implemented with the financial support of the Election Systems Development, Reforms and Training Center functioning with the Central Election Commission. For full text Source: www.ginsc.net

Guria. A volunteer event for helping the elderly was organized at the initiative of the civil society organization "Women for Development of Region". The youngsters have identified in their community the persons who needed the assistance. The volunteers asked them to fill in special questionnaires that listed their needs. The volunteers have distributed the work among each other, be it cleaning the houses, assisting in transportation, cleaning the yards, etc. In addition, the volunteers have cleaned the territory located in the center of Dvabzu. "The kids have worked hard all evening, and we agreed with the representatives of the local municipality that they would empty bunkers on the next day. And they have emptied them, but today already the whole road in the village that the children had cleaned is full of trash again. This is the public attitude - superficial, heartless, and this is what we would like to change. For this very reason so many projects are funded by the international organizations. To change attitude towards our own country, we assist the people in becoming citizens that take care of their own country", – says the organization's blog. For full text (Geo) Source: wdrguria.wordpress.com

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Since September 1 the Union of Democrat Meskhetians has started implementing the project – "I Elect". The project aims to promote raising the awareness of the youth with various ethnic origins living in Samtskhe-Javakheti (especially those who vote in elections for the first time) on the electoral processes. The project is funded by the Central Election Commission of Georgia. For full text Source:udm.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center has released the interim report on the pre-election period of 2012 parliamentary elections. Monitoring has started since July 1, however the authors of the report note that the report also covers the events that took place before July 2012 and in view of their importance still have or already had impact on this or that stage of the election process. The report  Source: humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. From 10 to 20 September the Europe House will host the photo-exhibition by the Belgian artist Philippe Herbet. The exhibition "Kavkaz - ErranceRomantique" will present up to 50 photo-works by Philippe Herbet created in 2010-2012 during the travel in the Caucasus, and namely Georgia and the North Caucasus. For full text Source: Europe House page in the social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti. Within the framework of the Good Governance Program Grant in Georgia, the civil society organization "Union of Democrat Meskhetians" implements in Akhaltsikhe the project "Transparent Self-Governance". The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and aims to increase the efficiency, transparency and citizen participation in the work of local self-government. The official page of the Akhaltsikhe Municipality was activated in the social network (Facebook) as part of the project "Transparent Self-Governance", where the first conference was held just recently and the AkhaltsikheGamgebeli has responded to questions of interest to the population in the course of one hour. According to the project media-coordinator JabaNatenadze, such conferences will be held systematically and the population's questions will be answered by all persons in respect of whom the most questions will be posed. He noted also that this web page has increased the population's awareness on the developments taking place in the municipality.

Samegrelo. On September 3 and 4, the members of the CSO network "Synergy" have discussed in the Zugdidi Civic Engagement Center the IDPs' problems and ways of their solution with the representatives of political parties. "With respect to the IDPs' problems, all political forces must have their own vision. Their pre-election agendas must adequately reflect the solution of problems of the displaced citizens", – said Nona Ubilava, member of the organization "IDP Women for Protection of Their Rights". "Synergy" Network works on the IDPs from Abkhazia since 2002.

Imereti. The Kutaisi Education, Development and Employment Center has organized the debates on September 3-5. The debates concerned the following resolution: "the public must create equal development conditions for the children with disabilities". The competition in debates was held as part of the project – "informing youth for expression of one's own opinion and action" – and 4 teams of students from the Baghdati schools have participated. At the end of the competition the first and second place teams and the best 3 speakers were awarded. On the third day the winner team has met the debate team from Kutaisi and the demo-debates were held. For full text (Geo) Source: kedec.ge

Samegrelo. "Transparency International – Georgia" and the "International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy" has presented the election portal web page on September 5 in Zugdidi, created at their and GYLA's initiative. Samegrelo-ZemoSvaneti Regional Coordinator of the organization Ketevan Shengelia has explained to the public sector the purpose of the web page and the rules for using the portal by the citizens. According to her, each person can upload the materials on concrete violations, however, only verified information will be published on the web page, ensuring the author's confidentiality.

Tbilisi. www.shenmartav.ge – gives users the opportunity to receive information on the work of MPs elected by them in the parliament, get familiar with the latest draft laws and connect directly to their representatives in the legislative body. The web site was created as part of the joint project of the Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development and Transparency International - Georgia. In addition, on the site users can observe the decisions made by MPs elected by them, get familiar with the data of MPs' participation in voting, curriculum vitae and annual property declarations, ask in writing on the site or by SMS and receive responses respectively. At the next stage of the project it is planned to expand the web page and add new components to it. For full text Source: transparency.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. The training in social media was held for the young on September 4 in the Akhaltsikhe Youth Center. The audience was informed about Internet-portal civics.ge created by the Center and the materials available in on-line library, where the interested persons can obtain required information on the social media. Training participants have discussed topics of concern and afterwards dedicated blogs to them. Development of knowledge and skills of social media among the student, teacher and other target groups is one of the key components of this program.

Adjara. The information meeting on the general insurance of pensioners was held on September 4 in the Social Center for the Elderly. At the meeting the Medical Manager of the Kobuleti Medical Center has informed the beneficiaries of the Center about the services and rules for use of the health insurance policy. For full text Source: awa.org.ge