Tbilisi. The initiation of a self-advocacy training programme for individuals with Down syndrome, targeting both teenagers and adults, commenced in October under the auspices of the project titled "Advocating Health Services for People with Down Syndrome," with the support of USAID Civil Society Engagement Program The objective is to enable individuals to articulate their personal obstacles and the desired transformations they aim to attain. Hence, during the forthcoming two-day conference scheduled for March, individuals with down syndrome, who advocate for themselves will have the opportunity to present themselves to the attending audience and engage in discussions pertaining to significant matters that hold personal relevance to them. More... Source: Georgian Down Syndrome Association

Tbilisi.On November 21, Europe Foundation presented its recent survey report Knowledge and Attitudes towards the European Union (EU) in Georgia. Europe Foundation has been conducting the EU Knowledge and Attitudes survey biannually since 2009.  The survey results are representative of the whole population of Georgia (excluding occupied territories) and allow for the assessment of changes in the population’s knowledge and expectations of the EU, Georgia-EU relations, and European integration. More... Source: Europe Foundation

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 National Statistical Office of Georgia, with the support of UNICEF, held a presentation of the Statistical Portal on Children and Youth. The Portal provides users with the opportunity to explore and analyze statistical data about children and youth in one place, using interactive infographics and modern visualization elements. It also presents indicators of sustainable development related to children and youth, statistical publications, relevant legislation, links, and other important information. More... Source: UNICEF Georgia

Tbilisi. 75 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lit the way to a more equal and inclusive future. Today, the journey continues as we strive to make that vision a reality. Ahead of #HumanRightsDay, UNDP Georgia is launching a month-long campaign “Act for Rights Now!”  The campaign will unite diverse stakeholders from Georgia’s public, private, and civic sectors, international organizations, diplomatic missions, and donor agencies, such as the European Union and the embassies of Germany, Norway, and Sweden. More... Source: UNDP Georgia

According to the 2023 results of the Local Self-Government Index, the average transparency and accountability score of Georgian municipalities in 2023 is 33%, 5% higher than the 2021 result. Municipalities improved the proactive disclosure of public information and electronic governance components. However, facilitating participation and accountability indicators have declined. More... Source: Institute for Development of Freedom of Information

On 8 November 2023, European Commission recommended that the European Council grants Georgia the status of a candidate country, on the understanding that 9 steps are taken.  Visit a web repository of the multimedia materials related to the 2023 #EUEnlargement Package. Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.On 22 November, at Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel (29 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Tbilisi), UNDP and “Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) – Georgia”, with support from Sweden and the European Union, will unveil a comprehensive study shedding light on the challenges encountered by labour migrant women upon their return to Georgia. The research will be presented as part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, showing a shared commitment to addressing and preventing all forms of gender-based discrimination. More...  Source: UNDP 

Tbilisi. Transparency International - Georgia publishes information on land registration amnesty.  "The Parliament adopted an initiative on amnesty, which releases those who have criminally obtained state-owned agricultural land plots from criminal liability and punishment.  The amnesty is going to extend only to those individuals who will, by 1 September 2024, have fully compensated the damage caused to the state as a result of the commission of the crime – returned the land plot or, if this is impossible, paid an amount equivalent to its value to the budget." More... Source: Transparency International - Georgia

Tbilisi.The Council of Europe is proud to announce the 5th annual Equality Week 2023!  This year’s launching event took place on 15 November 2023 at Deda Ena Bar, where the captivating exhibition "Threads of Resistance" took centre stage.  The exhibition showcased the works of seven artists, unravelling the diverse experiences of being different and delving into the emotions that accompany it. More... Source: Council of Europe Office in Georgia

Tbilisi.On November 14, TDI organized an event dedicated to the International Day for Tolerance, as well as the TDI's 10-year anniversary. At the event we reviewed the main trends, needs and challenges regarding freedom of religion or belief, the rights of religious-ethnic minorities and migrants in Georgia.  More... Source: TDI 

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...

Samcxe-Javakheti.On November 4-5 and 11-12, women leaders residing in Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda participated in capacity-building training, the initial stage of our project "Georgian Minority Women as Integration Ambassadors". The project "Georgian Minority Women as Integration Ambassadors" is implemented by Development and Engagement Platform in partnership with the Rönne-Stiftung, with the financial support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. More... Source: Development and Engagement Platform 

Tbilisi.The newsletter gives an overview of the donations made by political parties from July 1 through September 30, 2023. From the trends that have been identified, particularly noteworthy are the donors of the Georgian Dream, more than half of whom are individuals connected with companies producing wine or other alcoholic beverages.  A considerable part of them have been receiving various types of subsidies, preferential loans, or public procurement contracts from the state for many years. In addition, some of the donations raise the suspicion that they are made through fictitious donors, which is a violation of the law. More... Source: Transparency International Georgia

The European edition of the popular intellectual game "What? Where? When?" extended its exciting voyage into the Shida Kartli and Mtskheta Mtianeti regions. Over 100 teams challenged their wits on various aspects of Europe, fostering a lively gathering of over 600 young intellects from these regions. The game is set to traverse all 63 municipalities of Georgia in the coming year. Check out the photos below. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.Advocacy Document, Human Rights Amid Natural Disasters - looks into the circumstances surrounding the natural disasters that struck Racha in August 2023 and Guria in September 2023 in order to raise some important questions regarding the causes behind the natural disasters as well as the efficiency of the management of the rescue efforts. Presentation of the Advocacy Document was held on November 13, 2023 by GYLA. Published by Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association with the financial support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation. The views, opinions and statements expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs only and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Foundation. Therefore, the Open Society Georgia Foundation is not responsible for the content of the information material. More... Source: Georgian Young Lawyers' Association

Tbilisi.The Information Integrity Coalition urges the Georgian government to segregate anti-Western messages and their disseminating groups, utilize strategic communications departments efficiently, and take decisive actions to implement the European Commission's recommendations, with the engagement of civil society organizations.  The "Information Integrity Coalition," a union of organizations combating disinformation, is prepared to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that the European Commission's recommendations are fulfilled. More... Source: The Information Integrity Coalition

Guria.Members of Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti LAGs Commence Work on Local Development Strategy. The members of Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) have initiated active efforts in local development as part of the ongoing “Green Guria – Supporting Local Democracy and Rural Development for Inclusive and Resilient Green Growth” project, with the backing of the European Union.The Guria LAG members have already embarked on the development of a local development strategy.  During the inaugural working meeting dedicated to this strategy, the LAG members identified agriculture and its branch development prospects as a key priority. At the meeting, participants from all three municipalities in Guria discussed agricultural development and presented their respective visions. As part of the session, a SWOT analysis was conducted. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Envoy of Georgia to the Republic of Armenia, Irakli Kvanchakhadze, did not disclose business interests, real estate and income in his asset declaration submitted in 2023. Transparency International Georgia calls on the Anti-Corruption Bureau to look into Irakli Kvanchakhadze’s asset declaration and respond to violations in accordance with the law. More... Source: Transparency International Georgia 

Tbilisi.To find out more about EU-Georgia relations, explore our factsheet below. More... Source: The European Union in Georgia

Tbilisi.The Georgian Down Syndrome Association team, with the support of USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, facilitated a meeting between paediatrician Nana Rurua and parents at the Association's office. The event was conducted as part of the project "Advocacy of Health Services for People with Down Syndrome". The meeting's subject matter was health care for individuals with Down syndrome. More... Source: The Georgian Down Syndrome Association

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia publishes a blog. "Georgian Railway has announced an 184 million GEL tender to purchase electric locomotives. The result of the tender is probably predetermined because only companies with a certificate issued by the Eurasian Union, a customs union established by Russia, can participate. " More... Source: Transparency International Georgia publishes a blog.