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. ISFED will provide a legal assistance to those dismissed from work on alleged political grounds during the 2021 pre-election period. The organization has filed several lawsuits in common courts in order to protect interests of people fired from their jobs on discriminatory motives. ISFED will continue to provide free legal assistance to those dismissed from work on discriminatory grounds. “If you consider that you have been fired based on your political beliefs: Call - 0 800 100 143 or Write to us at - info@isfed.ge Lawyers of ISFED will provide a legal assistance and consultation to you throughout the country”. Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

More than 20 civil society organizations from 6 Eastern Partnership countries have joined a regional hub, established recently within the framework of CSO meter... More specifically, it has been established within the framework of a “CSO Meter: A Compass to Conducive Environment and CSO Empowerment” project as a regional association with common interests and is going to facilitate the exchange of experiences, knowledge, build new relationships, etc. The goal of the hub is to contribute to monitoring and advocacy processes taking into account international standards and best practices, which will help to create an enabling environment for civil society. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), and the Civil Society Institute (CSI) have joined the hub from Georgia. The project is implemented by organizations from Eastern European countries under the guidance of the European Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and with the financial support of the European Union. Partner organizations are Transparency International in Armenia (TIAC), MG Consulting LLC (Azerbaijan), the Civil Society Institute (CSI, Georgia), Promo-LEX Association (Moldova), the Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research (Ukraine).

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. On July 30, in Saguramo, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) held a 5-year anniversary event of "Ialoni", the Saguramo Daycare Center for Children and Persons with Disabilities. Read more… Source: edec.ge

Tbilisi. According to information released by EWMI-ACCESS, an Orbeliani Meti platform mobilized half of funds necessary to implement 6 projects through donations of citizens. While the second half of the total amount will be filled by “Orbeliani Georgia” via the EWMI ACCESS grant. “Very soon: A traveling library will visit high mountainous villages of Adjara and take children on a journey into the world of books. In the village of Apeni in Lagodekhi Municipality, young people will arrange an open movie theater. A room at one of the schools in Gori will be equipped with books and modern equipment. Environmentalists will turn yards in Rustavi and Tbilisi into urban squares, as well as teach gardening to children. 7R, a social enterprise, will create a new collection using secondhand fabrics and fabric leftovers so as to promote sustainable fashion”.                Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. President Charles Michel releases a statement on the political situation in Georgia. “I remain convinced that this agreement is the best way to advance a reform agenda which would strengthen the democratic institutions of Georgia and help bring about prosperity, jobs and growth - all much needed to the benefit of the people of Georgia. I see no alternative to continued in-depth electoral and judicial reforms, and free and fair local elections. I call on all parties to put the interests of the citizens first and to commit to advancing Georgia’s political discourse within the framework of the country’s democratic institutions. Consultations with a number of political actors in Georgia are starting. Yesterday I met with President Zourabichvili to discuss the situation and EU-Georgia relations”. Read more… Source: eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. With the support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, the Georgian Democracy Initiative, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Social Justice Center, Rights Georgia and the Human Rights Center have launched a joint project – “Activists support network”. “A short-term goal of the project is to protect civil activists from unlawful persecution, which in turn provides more conducive environment to exercise civic activism as well as freedom of assembly and expression”. Read more... Source: The website of Rights Georgia on a social network

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 undersigned civil society organizations, would like to react to the statement by the Chair of the ruling party Georgian Dream, Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze, on the withdrawal from the EU brokered so-called “Charles Michel agreement” signed by the Georgian Dream on April 19. “We believe that this decision by the authorities constitutes a straightforward rejection of Georgia's Euro-Atlantic course and the peaceful development of the country through democratic reforms. The decision of Georgian Dream is a way to deepen the pre-election political crisis and polarization and only serves a desire to retain the power, for which the “Georgian Dream” is ready to sacrifice the country's prosperity, Western orientation, democratic development and friendly relations with strategic partners”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF Georgia is calling all interested civil society organizations, international and national non-governmental organizations having a focus on children and adolescents, to register and build their profiles at www.unpartnerportal.org. A newly launched “United Nations Partner Portal’, is a platform collectively used by UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP globally to manage partnerships. All civil society organizations, international and national non-governmental organizations that wish to be considered for partnership opportunities with UNICEF need to register and create a profile in the UN Partner Portal. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. According to information released by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), the Parliament of Georgia has approved the Open Parliament Georgia Action Plan for 2021-2022. The organization notes that the vast majority of commitments stipulated by the Action Plan are the result of a civil society initiative. "The Open Parliament Action Plan consists of 19 commitments, implementation of which is planned within 2021-2022 years. The action plan aims to facilitate implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by the Parliament of Georgia, improve access to information and activities related to oversight of the Parliament of Georgia, enhance citizen involvement in the activities of the Parliament of Georgia, and promote parliamentary openness and transparency”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Part of civil society organizations and political parties of Georgia address a letter to Kakha Kuchava, the Chairman of the Parliament. “We, the organizations working on human rights and activists have been fighting for gender equality for many years. The violence, committed by Shalva Papuashvili and Irakli Zarkua against women politicians on July 18, 2021, renders the success achieved in the fight for equality meaningless. The silence and inaction of the Chairman of the Parliament in regard to this issue is unacceptable, furthermore, it encourages violence. We urge you to use all available mechanisms in order to respond adequately and make sure that the abusive Members of Parliament - Shalva Papuashvili and Irakli Zarkua are held accountable for insulting and violent actions taken by them against female Members of Parliament”, - is noted in the joint statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. USAID/Georgia Mission Director Peter Wiebler met with journalists and media sector advocates from Radio Liberty, Transparency International Georgia, the Media Development Foundation, the Open Society Georgia Foundation, and IREX. “At the meeting, they discussed the current challenges facing Georgia’s media sector, how programs and advocacy initiatives can help address them, and opportunities for sustained future USAID assistance”.                                                      Source: The organization’s page on the social network

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...

Today, July 19, 2021, in the Batumi International Conference, Civil Society organizations and Media representatives address Charles Michel, President of the European Council. Read more... Source: civilin.org

Tbilisi. IDFI hosted a delegation from Central Asian countries, particularly, from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. "The purpose of the study visit was to familiarize the interested parties with Georgia's experience in openness and transparency, especially concerning open budgeting and transparent management of public finances". Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

Statement made by Mr. Diégo Colas, the Ambassador of France: “I am heartbroken to learn about the death of Lekso Lashkarava, a journalist who got severely injured on Monday while fulfilling his duty – covering homophobic violence that took place on July 5. My condolences to his family and colleagues. Freedom of assembly and press, fight against discrimination and hate, no to violence”.  Read more… Source: The Embassy of France in Georgia

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi extends our deepest condolences to the family of Lekso Lashkarava, particularly to Lekso’s mother, and to his colleagues at TV Pirveli and all those who are shocked and saddened by his death. "Lekso worked behind the camera so despite his years of service as a media professional, many might not have recognized him before he was viciously attacked by people who demonstrated a complete lack of respect for human life. His bravery as he defended his colleague and his commitment to the fundamental freedoms long cherished in this country represent the best qualities and traditions of the people of Georgia. The arrest of several individuals in connection with the attack on Lekso is a positive first step toward justice. The safety of every Georgian journalist and the credibility of democracy in Georgia require that every individual who attacked peaceful citizens and journalists on July 5 and 6, or who incited violence, must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We call for calm and an end to the violence that has already caused one tragic loss of life". see more... source:

Comments by EU Ambassador Hartzell upon news of the death of Mr. Lekso Lashkarava: "It is with sorrow I learned today about the tragic death of Pirveli TV cameraman Lekso Lashkarava. My deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. Mr. Lekso Lashkarava was severely beaten as he was covering the violence that took place in Tbilisi around the Pride events on 5 July. While still awaiting the results of the investigation into the cause of his death, let me reiterate the EU’s strong condemnation of all violence and our staunch and unwavering support to the freedom of media and assembly". see more... source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi. The Human Rights Center has completed a project - “Free legal advocacy and human rights monitoring after the coronavirus pandemic”. According to information released by the organization, the Center:  “Provided 2010 free legal consultations; Processed 130 cases, 60 of which were successfully completed”.  Read more… Source: The website of the organization on a social network

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...

Adjara. In June, initiative groups, with the support of the Batumi branch of the Civil Society Institute (CSI), registered online petitions at City Assemblies of Batumi and Khelvachauri Municipalities. The petition - “Green districts to Batumi”, registered in Batumi, envisages naming of green, recreational spaces in the city of Batumi, granting them an appropriate status and protecting them. The purpose of the petition is to make sure there is a green environment, equally accessible for everyone, in all 14 districts of Batumi. The petition – “Outdoor lighting to villages of Machakhela”, registered in Khelvachauri, concerns provision of outdoor lighting for inner roads of highland villages of Khelvachauri. Machakhela Valley is one of the unique natural areas and an important tourist destination. The Batumi branch of the Civil Society Institute, in cooperation with the organization Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt) and the Open Society Georgia Foundation, supports civic activism and enhancement of citizen participation in the local decision-making process. Read more...