The US Agency for International Development has released the CSO Development Index for 2013 on August 22. The organization releases the Index on an annual basis since 1997, when the first report was published. The report examines the sustainability, development, environment, financial capabilities, etc. of the civil society organizations. Along with other countries, the CSO Development Index for Eastern Europe and Eurasia countries includes the development index of CSOs in Georgia as well. CSO Development Index for 2013 Source: www.usaid.gov

Tbilisi. On the 127th day from the start of the tent campaign, the Public Committeefor Saving Sakdrisi has released an appeal. The Committee expresses gratefulnessto  all  who  have  openly  declared  support  to  the  idea  of  saving  Sakdrisi.  "The activities of the Public Committee and the results achieved at this stage are indeed an exemplary and model  fact  of  reviving the sound civil  society in the country,which is praiseworthy and to be treated with caution by the whole society and all institutions". says the appeal. For the full text Source:  page  of  Sakdrisi   -  monument  of  global  importance   in  the  social network.

Adjara. The US Ambassador to Georgia Mr. Richard Norland and the Political Officer of the US Embassy in Georgia Erik T. Hann have visited the Adjara Branch of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association. Meeting participants have discussed ongoing processes in the region and urgent topics.Along  with  the  Head  of  GYLA's  Batumi  Office,  representatives  of  Transparency International - Georgia, Caucasian Institute for Democracy and Development, and the Independent Journalists' House have also attended the meeting. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Samtskhe-Javakheti.  Akhaltsikhe-based  CSO "Union  of  Democrat  Meskhetians" has launched the implementation of project "Trust-Building in the South Caucasus".The project aims to support the strengthening of the civil society in the Municipality and transformation of  the youth into active, responsible citizens.  The first event held as part of the project was a training dedicated to the ecology issues. This time the "Union of Democrat Meskhetians" calls on active youngsters from 16 to 24 years of age to get involved in the project and cooperate in case of their interest. CSO "Union of Democrat Meskhetians" is implementing the project "Trust-Building in the South Caucasus" with support of the UN Association of Georgia (UNAG).

Samtskhe-Javakheti. At the initiative of the Akhaltsikhe Civic Engagement Center,a discussion was organized on August 15 in its conference hall on - "Violence shouldnot  be  a  method  of  parenting,  let's  protect  children  from  domestic  violence".Psychologists,  lawyers,  civil  society  members,  teachers  and  the  specialists  ofinclusive education have attended the meeting. What is domestic violence; forms ofdomestic  violence;  what  should  be  done  to  prevent  domestic  violence  –representative of CSO "Union of Meskhetian Women" has discussed these topics.Along with the field specialists, youngsters have also been involved in the meetingand  the  question-and-answer  discussion.  Participants  have  brought  examples  ofviolence and expressed the opinion that as a first priority, the population must beaware of which behavior is considered as violence, as this will raise awareness onone's own rights and increase appeals to relevant authorities.

Tbilisi. The Tbilisi Human Rights House and its member organizations have released a statement. "We are concerned with unprecedented punitive measures applied by the Azerbaijani authorities against human rights activists and organizations. ... We urge the Council of Europe and members of the Committee of Ministers to undertake relevant measures so that the Azerbaijani authorities respect and observe obligations taken under the ECHR, as well as other international treaties and agreements", says the statement. For the full text Source: article42.ge

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. Representatives of CSO "Stepantsminda" and the Polish organization "Civis Polonius" have started implementing a joint project in the Kazbegi Municipality. A training in the "Youth leaders' academy" was delivered on August 4-8 with participation of youngsters from various villages of the Kazbegi Municipality. Main objective of the training was to share the Polish experience on the importance and role of the youth councils. Key function of the youth councils will be the participation in various ongoing processes within the Municipality, solution of problems of the youth and implementation of new ideas. A meeting was organized as part of the training with representatives of the local authorities. At the meeting the youngsters have asked the Municipality Gamgebeli (local governor) and the Sakrebulo (local council) Chair about issues of concern to them. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Imereti. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has organized a summary meeting as part of the project "Be Active and Participate in Decision-Making Process". A discussion over identification of Tskaltubo's infrastructural problems and ways of their solution involved leading officials of local authorities, as well as members of the Sakrebulo, CSO representatives, employees of the single-seat MP's bureau, ordinary residents of Tskaltubo and media representatives. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information has organizeda round table - "Switchover of Georgia's Regional and Local Broadcasters to a DigitalBroadcasting Platform - urgent issues and challenges".At  the  round  table  the  representatives  of  regional  broadcasters,  the  GeorgianNational  Communications  Commission  and  companies  providing  necessaryequipment  for  digital  broadcasting  have discussed problematic  issues  related toswitchover of regional televisions to digital broadcasting. For the full text. Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi.  The  Women's  Information  Center  has  organized  the  CSO Forum aimingprimarily at informing the civil sector about interim assessment of implementationof the UN Resolution N1325 Action Plan.The assessment was drafted by expert invited at the initiative of the UN Women'sOrganization.  Giorgi  Shubitidze  has  briefed  the  meeting  participants  about  thestudy's key findings and recommendations through Skype. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Kvemo Kartli. In partnership with the EU mobile Information Center, the Georgian Reforms Association  has  organized  meetings  with  the  population over  Georgia'sEuro-Atlantic  integration  in  the  Gardabani,  Marneuli,  Bolnisi  and  DmanisiMunicipalities as part of the project "Let's Meet Europe". Throughout the campaignpromo-materials were disseminated, and the short film on the EU was shown in theyouth centers.During the information campaign, meeting participants have discussed topics suchas  Georgia's  trade  relations  with  Russia  after  the  Association  Agreement,compatibility of the European values with the local values, Georgia's visa policy andthe related changes, the EU's agricultural production standards and their impact on the local farmers. Source: grass.org.ge

Tbilisi. CSOs have released a statement on August 8 in connection with the 6th anniversary of the Russia-Georgia war. "On August 8, 6 years have gone from the start of the Russia-Georgia war. The August 2008 war is one of the most tragic events in Georgia's newest history, which has brought extremely grave results for the country... By ignoring international law and treaties, Russia has occupied the Georgian territories, followed by ethnic cleansing...", says the joint statement. For the full text (geo)... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center has published Giorgi Burjanadze's blog "Public Defender's role under the Constitution". "... The article aims not to analyze the entire institute in detail, but to focus mainly on issues requiring regulation under the Constitution," says the web page. For the full text (geo) Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Young Barristers" has organized a press conference on August 7 and addressed the Tbilisi City Hall with recommendatory proposals. Recommendations cover issues that the capital faces and are, according to the organization, unresolved for years, as well as which the previous City Hall administration has failed to take care of. For the full text (geo) Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Student movement "Green Fist" has released a statement in connection with the death of the mineworker. "Notwithstanding the fact that large portion of the society protests against a grave situation existing in Georgia in terms of labor safety for consecutive years now, ... people continue working in unbearable environment that is dangerous for life. Student movement "Green Fist" urges the public to become actively interested in this problem. It is the duty of each of us to self-organize and contribute to eradication of these problems", says the statement. For the full text (geo) Source: www. gfist.wordpress.com

Tbilisi. Transparency International – Georgia has organized a discussion on August 6 dedicated to planned legislative amendments to social advertising regulations. Representatives of the National Communications Commission, CSOs and media have participated in the discussion. Arguments raised at the meeting included the vagueness of interpretation of social advertising, editorial independence, the role of the National Communications Commission and issues related to switchover to digital broadcasting. Draft amendments developed by the Ministry of Justice (geo). Opinions of Transparency International – Georgia on this issue (geo). Source: the organization's web page in the social network.

Adjara. The majority of Batumi-based CSOs has shared the opinion of the Georgian art-directors and group of designers that sketches of the logo published on www.batumi.ge are no good for the Batumi's official face. An online petition was developed to learn the public opinion, through which the population can get familiar with the petition. The petition (geo)

Tbilisi. On August 5 CSOs have discussed the challenges of the self-government reform and the prospects of citizen participation in the self-government. The event was initiated and organized by the "Open Society - Georgia" Foundation. At the meeting the "Consultations and Training Center" and the "Regional Development Center" have presented the results of studies carried out on citizen participation, following which the representatives of the authorities and CSOs have participated in the discussion: development of additional forms of citizen participation in the exercise of local self-government and the role of CSOs in the improvement of participatory processes. Source: web page of "Time for Self-Government" in the social network.

Tbilisi. To what extent is the Georgian society knowledgeable about the notion and activities of CSOs? How high is the trust towards their activities? Answers to these questions can be found in the Civic Engagement Report. An opinion poll over these issues was carried out as part of the Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia Program of the East-West Management Institute. It aimed at determining the degree of civic engagement. The first study on these issues was carried out within the framework of this Program in 2011. Report on Civil Engagement Source: the Program's web page in the social network.

Tbilisi. Member CSOs of the Tbilisi Human Rights House have released a statement on August 4 in which they are appealing to the authorities. "Human Rights House Tbilisi and its member organizations express alarm regarding detention and expected extradition of Dashgin Agararl, citizen of Azerbaijan, member of opposition political party, Musavat”. For the full text Source: humanrights.ge

Tbilisi. CSOs within the civil platform "No to Phobia!" responded to incidents occurred during the matches of the football club "Chikhura" and released the statement. "We would like to respond to incidents occurred during the last matches of "Chikhura" Sachkhere, which have not only cast a shadow over Georgian sport, but have damaged Georgia's state interests and its international image...", says the statement. For the full text (geo) Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The campaign "This Affects You Too" welcomes the adoption of legislative package on secret surveillance. For the full text Source: transparency.ge