Tbilisi.On December 22, 2023, the third art therapy session was held within the project "Barrierfree Safety for People with Disabilities". This project is a part of the INKuLtur-Programme implemented by Austausch e.V. and Association Anika in Georgia together with Eastern Partnership countries funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.  More... Source: Association Anika

Imereti.LDA Georgia had the opportunity to  meet representatives of civil society organizations and active citizens of Samtredia municipality.  At the meeting  was  introduced the documents prepared on the basis of the needs of civil society organizations operating in the Imereti region and providing information about announced grant competitions.   The meeting was held within the framework of the project "Civil Society  STAR Initiative'' , which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Imereti.On December 21, a Social Services Hotline Information Campaign  was held in Tskaltubo district. Highlights from the Meeting: Collaborative efforts for community welfare,  Understanding the Social Services Hotline operation, Understanding the Social Services Hotline operation, Open dialogue on providing essential services. Project Overview and Objectives Structure and Functioning of the Social Services Hotline Detailed Steps in Service Delivery and Information Dissemination. Community Engagement: Community leaders actively involved in expanding the outreach of the hotline, ensuring efficient information dissemination to those in need. This initiative falls under the EU4Dialogue project, reflecting a commitment to fostering dialogue and positive change.

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...

Kakheti. With the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia in cooperation with the Sighnaghi Municipality City Hall, in order to create municipal social services in Sighnaghi Municipality, developed the program "Daytime Activity Center of the Older Generation". The program is planned considering the rights-based social service standards and participatory approach, by a multi-sectoral group (representatives of the City Hall, civil sector and service users) established in the City Hall .Program was developed within the project “Partnership for Municipal Social Policy”.   More... Source: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Georgia

Tbilisi. On December 20, with the support of USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, an online information meeting was held for parents with MD, pediatrician Konstantine Chakhunashvili as part of the project "Advocacy of health services for people with Down syndrome". Parents can also apply to Konstantine Chakhunashvili Tsitsishvili's new children's clinic, or to Davit Abuladze's Georgian-Italian clinic. It is very important for parents to have information about their children's health. Timely communication with the doctor can avoid many complications. More... Source: Georgian Down Syndrome Association

Tbilisi. Empowering Circular Solutions in Georgia: a B2B Networking Event on Plastic Reduction Opportunities and the Recycling Landscape has been organized by CENN and the USAID Economic Security Program. This event aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders involved in the circular economy sector with the help of interactive sessions. The event was held within the framework of the project "Strengthening the Community for the Implementation of Circular Solutions in Georgia", which is implemented by CENN with the support of USAID's Economic Security Program. The event was supported by the European Union. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi. The Mediators Association of Georgia hosted the regional conference, bringing together mediators from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.  Mediators from the five countries discussed alternative dispute resolution, recognizing its important role in the pursuit of justice. They also addressed the challenges of enhancing awareness about mediation.  This regional event was backed by UNDP and the German Government as part of broader support for improving the rule of law and promoting access to justice for all. More... Source: UNDP Georgia

Tbilisi.The results of PISA 2022 show that the reforms implemented in the education system of Georgia in recent years cannot provide adequate results, the system is still facing many challenges and requires additional changes. See the IDFI study, which reviews 10 reasons with a possible negative impact on the development of the education system in the country. More... Source: IDFI

Fireworks create highly toxic gases and pollutants that poison the air, the water and the soil, making them toxic to birds, wildlife, pets, livestock — and people. The colours of fireworks are the result of chemistry and physics made visible. Specifically, fireworks’ colours depend upon solid metal salts and chemical explosives that create colours when heated to the correct temperatures. Additionally, to produce the oxygen needed for an explosion, many fireworks contain oxidisers known as perchlorates. These can dissolve in water, contaminating rivers, lakes and drinking water. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Transparency International Georgia requested information on statistics and legal responses to crimes committed against journalists in 2023.  According to the Special Investigation Service, from January 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023, 14 criminal cases were opened for illegal obstruction of a journalist's professional activities. Among the 14 cases, one was closed, four were forwarded to the court for hearings on the merits, and investigations are ongoing for the remaining nine cases. Moreover, in six criminal cases, the Prosecutor’s Office initiated criminal prosecution against nine individuals. Transparency International Georgia considers that ensuring a fear-free and safe media environment, first and foremost, by the ruling party is of utmost importance. Journalists should be able to carry out their professional work without interference and properly inform the public. One of the key requirements for ensuring a safe media environment is the prompt investigation of crimes committed against journalists and putting an end to impunity. More... Source: Transparency International Georgia

EU adopts 12th package of sanctions against Russia for its continued illegal war against Ukraine. The Commission welcomes the Council's adoption of a 12th package of sanctions against Russia.  The focus of this package is to impose additional import and export bans on Russia, combat sanctions circumvention and close loopholes. In particular, this package includes additional listings of Russian individuals and companies and new import and export bans – such as banning the export of Russian diamonds to Europe. It also includes stricter asset tracing obligations and tough measures on third-country companies circumventing sanctions. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.Get to know journalists who participated in the joint grant competition of the CENN and USAID Economic Security Program, won and prepared media products on reducing and recycling plastic waste. The winning journalists were awarded at a conference held on December 22, aimed at strengthening circular solutions in Georgia and promoting information sharing among interested parties involved in the sector.  The media competition was organised from October to December 2023, within the framework of the project "Strengthening the Community for the Implementation of Circular Solutions in Georgia", which is implemented by CENN with the support of USAID's Economic Security Program. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Every week, the Government of Georgia makes decisions on which state property to transfer to one or another company or individual through direct privatization. For the third year now, the decrees adopted on these decisions have not been published , contrary to the requirements of the law, which is why it is not known who acquired the property under what conditions or what benefits the government is providing. Privatization of state property carries a high risk of corruption, therefore opacity in this area is not allowed. Transparency International Georgia:  "We call on the administration of the Georgian government to act in accordance with the requirements of the Georgian legislation, to give up the illegal practice of concealing government decrees and orders of the Prime Minister, and to make these documents public to the public." More... Source: Transparency International Georgia  

Tbilisi.64 Students Across 21 Educational Institutions Embark on a Journey of Excellence in Agriculture and Environmental Studies with Support from UNDP, Sweden, and Switzerland. On 19 December, 64 students from 21 educational institutions received their scholarship certificates for the 2023/2024 academic year from representatives of Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, UNDP, the Embassy of Sweden to Georgia, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Building on this success, UNDP and EIEC have expanded their support to students pursuing agricultural professions. The 2023 edition of the Scholarship Programme introduces both Green and Agro Scholarships, now encompassing nine universities and 12 vocational colleges in the Ajara Autonomous Republic, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Imereti, Mtskheta-Mtianseti, Samegrelo, and Shida Kartli.  More... Source: UNDP Georgia

Guria.The members of the Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) continue to actively engage in local development as part of the ongoing “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project, supported by the European Union. he “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project is implemented by CENN in cooperation with partner organisations: the Young Pedagogues’ Union, the Institute of Democracy, and the Local Action Group of KEDA (LAG), supported by the European Union within the European Neighbourhood Program for Rural and Agricultural Development ENPARD IV.  More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Climate change is exacerbating systemic problems for women in Georgia and creating additional barriers and risks. It is a crisis that increases inequalities, hinders women's access to services and limits their freedom of action - concludes a report on the impact of climate change on women. The report describes the systemic problems facing women and identifies women's income, health status and type of work as important determinants of vulnerability to climate change.  Climate Change Impact Assessment Report on Women was prepared with the financial support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) program "Promoting Environmental Protection, Climate Change Resilience and Democratic Resilience in Georgia".  More... Source: Green Alternative

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency  Georgia, in partnership with  Tkibuli District Development Fund, has started the implementation of the project "More Transparency and Accountability for Effective Self-Government".   The purpose of which is to ensure the implementation of effective self-government in the municipalities of Terjola, Tkibuli and Baghdati  and to promote involvement of civil society in the decision-making process. Within the framework of the project, a memorandum of understanding  was signed between  Local Democracy  Agency Georgia,   Tkibuli District Development Fund  and   target municipalities of the project  (Baghdati, Terjola, Tkibuli).  The project  is implemented by Tkibuli District Development Fund in partnership with Local Democracy Agency Georgia,   with the support of the ''Strengthening Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership’’ programme , co-funded by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union.  More... Source: Local Democracy Agency Georgia

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 Venice Commission delivered its opinion regarding the effectiveness and independence of the Special Investigation Service and the Personal Data Protection Service. Addressing the Venice Commission's recommendations is part of the European Commission's nine steps.  In order to strengthen the Special Investigation Service, the Venice Commission recommends that the service should be granted prosecutorial powers and cover all crimes committed by high-ranking officials.  The Venice Commission considers that, in the current situation, the Personal Data Protection Service does not hold proper expertise and resources to conduct efficient monitoring of the lawfulness of covert investigative measures. More... Source: Institute for Development of Freedom of Information 

Tbilisi.The "Municipality Index" project, initiated by the New Economic School-Georgia and supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom's South Caucasus office, marked its 9th annual report in 2023 since its inception in 2015.The index aims to assess the business environment, living conditions, and administrative efficiency of five self-governed municipalities (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, and Poti) and 59 self-governed community municipalities in Georgia.  Notably, 41 municipalities were included for the first time in the report this year.  The Municipal Index project addresses the crucial need to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of municipal performance.  This initiative, spearheaded by the NES-G team, aims to improve local government efficiency, transparency, accountability, accessibility, and competitiveness. More... Source: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Caucasus

Kakheti.On December 19, 2023, in Telavi, under the organization of the Education Development and Employment Center and in a partnership with the Kakheti regional hub- "Media Center Kakheti", a public discussion of national programs for the development and involvement of youth in the regions of Kakheti for 2023-2026 was conducted. The aim of the initiative was to promote the implementation of a new development strategy and to familiarize the participants with the planned activities and initiatives outlined in the programs.  The focus includes enhancing the well-being and potential of youth, strengthening their health and well-being, boosting their economic empowerment, fostering participation in public and democratic processes, and improving the management system for new political initiatives.  The ideas highlighted as a result of the workshop will be submitted to the Youth Agency for reflection in the 2024-2025 action plan. The Workshop was organized within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative: Sustainable, Transparent and Accountable Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the Development of Georgia” (2021-2025). The project is implemented by a consortium led by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) together with the following non-governmental organizations – Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Counseling and Training Center (CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) and European Institute of Policy (IEP). More... Source: Education Development and Employment Center