Tbilisi. The EU and UNDP helped Georgian Parliament create a textbook for schoolchildren, offering an entertaining way to learn about parliament, parliamentary tradition, and citizen engagement in decision-making. Next year, it will be piloted in 50 public schools in Tbilisi and eastern Georgia. On 22 and 23 May, public school teachers took a training course, designed to help them make full use of a new textbook and learn about civic education methodology. Read more… 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...

Samegrelo. UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, Dr. Sabine Machl met with the representatives of local NGOs, IDP and conflict affected women in Anaklia. “The participants discussed the relevance of the localization of the 2018-2020 National Action Plan of Georgia for Implementation of the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security and participation of IDP and conflict affected women in the decision-making, peace and security processes. The women shared with the UN Resident Coordinator their concerns and challenges as well as their ideas on how to address these”. Read more… Source: The organizations page on the social network

On May 24th the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency are hosting a high-level virtual conversation on emergency measures, fundamental freedoms, and revitalizing civic space in the wake of COVID-19. Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian. Learn more and register at www.icnl.org

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. On 4 May, within the framework of the 54th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and as part of the Civil Society Program IDFI led a panel discussion Advancing the Progress toward Achieving the SDGs Post-Covid-19. “The topic of the panel discussion directly related to ADB’s Operational Priority 6 - Strengthening governance and institutional capacity, as participants discussed the process of institutionalizing SDGs, the mandates and resources of relevant state institutions and needs for further development”. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

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