Tbilisi. Due to the information of the IDFI from May 1st, citizens can submit a written petition to the Chairperson of the Supreme Council. “At least 200 people are required for submitting the petition. Petitions are important for supporting the engagement of the citizens in the decision-making process and the implementation of the open governance principles. Submission of the Petitions was introduced to the Supreme Council of Ajara within the scopes of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project - "Consolidating Parliamentary Democracy in Georgia." The project is closely cooperating with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) to promote Open Governance Principles in the work of the Parliament of Georgia and the Supreme Council of Ajara (SCA)”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

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...

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...

“Civil Society STAR Initiative” - is a new project funded by the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The purpose of the project is to facilitate enhancement of civil society as an independent, sustainable, transparent and accountable actor. Information about project news, competitions or editions can be obtained at the website on a social network - Civil Society STAR Initiative Visit the site and get informed The project is supported by the European Union (#EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (#KAS), while it is implemented by: the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (#CSRDG), the Civil Society Institute (#CSI), the Center for Training and Consultancy (#CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (#EDEC) and the Institute for European Politics (#IEP)  “Civil Society Initiative” - is based on the knowledge and experience gained during implementation of the “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” project (CSSIGE 2017-2020), supported by the European Union.

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 Center for Development and Democracy (CDD) shares a guide to citizen participation in a local self-governance implementation process. For participation of citizens... “Participation of citizens in a decision-making process is a cornerstone of democracy and has great effect on substantial improvement of local self-governance related processes and issues”, - is stated in the document. Source: The website of the organization on a social network

Tbilisi. Part of civil society organizations releases a statement regarding a new document presented by President of the European Council during the mediation process. “Charles Michel, President of the European Council, offered a new, compromise proposal to parties involved in the mediation process so as to overcome the political crisis existing in Georgia. The proposal envisages response to issues perceived as politicized justice, electoral and judicial reforms, the issue of redistribution of power in the Parliament and deadlines for its implementation. The document may not fully reflect all demands and interests of involved parties, however, a compromise means agreement on such disputed issues and reaching a consensus”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) responds to developments that took place on April 14, 2021, at the office of the Georgian Dream party and considers that police actions are aimed at unjustifiably restricting freedom of assembly, while applying mechanisms of criminal justice against activists is one more step taken towards an authoritarian regime. “We call on the Government of Georgia to stop criminal prosecution and use of repressive policies against civil activists for their protest within the framework of the right to assembly and manifestation and act in accordance with constitutional principles”, - is noted in the statement released by GDI. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

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. Non-governmental organizations have addressed US senators with a letter concerning the crisis in Georgia.  According to the letter, prolongation of the crisis in Georgia only benefits the Kremlin at a time when the country is facing serious geopolitical threats while resolving the crisis and ensuring the country’s democratic development are important factors for Georgia’s quick accession to the Euro-Atlantic structures.  Read more…   Source: osgf.ge

Georgia. Are you an enterprise carrying social or environmental values? Then you have the opportunity to take part in the first exhibition of social and green enterprises in Georgia.  Exposition is being organized within the EU4Youth: Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development (SEED) for Green Growth in Borderline Communities”, which is being implemented by CENN in partnership with Green Lane (Armenia) and Kakheti Regional Development Foundation (KRDF) (Georgia).  Register here  Registration deadline: April 25, 2021  Read more…   Source: The page in 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... 

Tbilisi. IDFI and Social Justice Center released a statement in regard to a report of the State Inspector’s Service. IDFI and Social Justice Center (formerly EMC) consider that in order to strengthen the State Inspector’s Service, it is essential to: Take prompt and effective legislative steps to separate investigative and prosecutorial functions; Increase the mandate of the State Inspector’s Office so as to bring all crimes committed by law enforcers to its competence; Extend the mandate of the investigative agency to possible breaches of the Minister of Internal Affairs, high officials of the State Security Service; Grant the State Inspector’s Service with the authority to apply a special protection measure, which provides solid guarantees for the safety of a victim, his/her close relative or family member; Provide the State Inspector’s Service with adequate material and human resources. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. From March 1, 2021, ”Rights Georgia” implements a new project in support of human rights defenders and activists – “Support human rights defenders and activists at risk”. The goal of the project is to provide legal assistance to human rights defenders/activists, tend to increase guarantees for their safety and protection, enhance their professional skills and raise awareness of legal issues that are relevant to their activities. Along with various activities, the project envisages the creation/audit of a network of human rights defenders and activists across the country. This should facilitate the formation of a swift and effective communication system of support and mutual assistance in the future. “Rights Georgia” requests organizations to urge activists, human rights defenders, or community leaders, affiliated with them, to fill out the registration form  Besides, provide information to all activists with whom they have communication. Read more… Source: The website of the organization

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. Civil society representatives welcome the involvement of the European Union and the United States in the de-escalation of the political crisis in the country. “Unfortunately, despite Mr. Danielson’s active involvement, no consensus has been reached yet between the parties. We, the signatory organizations, express our regret that the mediation process takes place behind closed doors and is not very transparent to the public. This allows both the government and the opposition to blame each other for the failure of reaching the agreement. Given that the EU continues to mediate between the parties, we, civil society representatives, would like to express our wish that impartial and neutral mediators provide the public with more information specifically about the mediation process, the responsibilities of political forces in this process, and its consequences. We believe that conducting mediation in such a manner will help increase public awareness and prevent further speculation, misinformation and anti-European narratives, both in the country and abroad”, is mentioned in the statement. Read more…  Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) shares a survey of community organizations operating in Georgia in 2019-2020 years. “The purpose of the survey was to study groups operating in villages or small settlements of Georgia, their working environment and obstacles. Besides coming up with the results of the survey and accompanying recommendations, there was also a justified list of active community organizations. The list will be made public in the spring of 2021. See the survey in Georgian  See the survey in English   The survey was conducted by the Community Development Center (CDC) in 2019-2020 years with the support of the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and the Open Society Georgia Foundation, while it was translated into English within the framework of the “Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” project. Read more… Source: The website of the organization in 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...

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. EWMI-PROLoG is appalled by the threats and abuse of women human rights defenders that has taken enormous scale in recent days. „Women activists have been particularly persistent and committed, despite often having it harder than their male counterparts. The bullying and threats that they get is further exacerbated by the gender-motivated and specific overtones. We have been supporting defenders of human rights, including the rights of women and children, for years, and we are very proud of the work and achievements of our partners over the years. We believe that this hard, tireless and often unappreciated work and dedication is what drives progress by way of restoring rights and dignity of those who have been wronged. We stand by the brilliant women lawyers of PHR, Sapari and other partner organizations and offer our support”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) expresses its solidarity with women human rights defenders. “We would like to express our solidarity with women human rights defenders, who became targets of extraordinary aggression and attack after the victory gained by Nikoloz Basilashvili, a Georgian tennis player, in one of the tournaments. The fact was followed by a campaign of organized aggression on social media against both non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders, and it took place due to their public stance in regard to the case of domestic violence proceeded against the tennis player. Targeted attack, carried out on gender grounds against women human rights defenders indicates ingrained misogynistic attitudes within society and hinders the process of public disclosure of facts of violence”, - is noted in the statement. Read more… Source:isfed.ge

Tbilisi. On March 1, “Rights Georgia” has launched a new project - " Support Human Rights Defenders and Activists at Risk”. “The aim of the project is to provide legal assistance to human rights defenders / activists, to increase their safety and security guarantees and to raise awareness of legal issues that are relevant to their activities”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network