Join us at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel for an event on December 15th at 11:00 AM, where the Civil Society Institute (CSI), in collaboration with the Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) and the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), will present the 2023 country report for CSO Meter: A Compass to Conducive Environment and CSO Empowerment.  The CSO Meter serves as a crucial monitoring tool, dedicated to evaluating the legislative and practical landscape for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), human rights defenders, and activists in Eastern European Partnership countries. The report meticulously covers 11 key areas essential for the growth of CSOs, providing quantitative scores for each domain. Scores range from 1 to 7, with 1 indicating the least favorable score (an extremely unfavorable, authoritarian environment), and 7 signifying the highest score (an extremely favorable environment).  This annual report, known as CSO-Meter, regularly assesses and continuously monitors the CSO environment in Eastern European Partnership countries. Additionally, the report gauges progress in implementing previously issued recommendations aimed at fostering a conducive CSO environment.  If attending the event online, please use the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87588630682?pwd=YXk2c0U3T2dBWUE4U2VYblNtT1ZqQT09

This week, EU leaders at the European Council will discuss EU enlargement policy.  Eu NeighborsEast creates The page, which takes you through the package, the enlargement process and each country's progress.   More... Source: euneighbourseast.eu

Tbilisi. Soviet Past Research Laboratory publishes research Abkhazia 1917-1921 - Reconstruction of Memory. The memory and public discourse concerning Abkhazia have predominantly focused on a limited number of "fundamental" narratives that were firmly established during the Soviet era and are deeply ingrained in both occupied Abkhazia and the Russian Federation in relation to Abkhazia. The Russian Federation's approach towards Abkhazia has consistently relied on these narratives, both during the 1990s as well as today. More... Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory

Tbilisi. Implementation Report of "The 2021-2022 Anti-Drug Action Plan" The purpose of this report is to monitor the implementation of the Anti-Drug Action Plan for the period 2021-2022. Its focus is primarily on the quantitative aspects of achieving the objectives and tasks outlined in the plan. The report does not delve into evaluating the substantive content of the action plan, nor does it address issues related to its scope or adequacy. More... Source: Social Justice Center 

Imereti.On December 12, 2023, in Kutaisi, under the organization of Education Development and Employment Center, the public discussion of national programs for the development and involvement of youth in the regions of Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi-Kvemo Svaneti 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. More... Source: Education Development and Employment Center

IDFI conducted practical-simulation training on the right to public information for journalists; The aim of the training was to strengthen the journalists' resilience to the artificial obstacles established for obtaining information from public institutions;  The event was held with the support of the MATRA program of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Georgia.  More... Source: IDFI

The German NGO Forum on Environment and Development (FUE) and CENN, with financial support from the German Federal Foreign Office, support capacity building of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the South Caucasus to promote CSO SDG advocacy.   The capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, hosted a 3-day SDG conference in which 25 CSO representatives participated from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.  More... Source: CENN 

15 Georgian municipalities came together to discuss urban innovation and explore new avenues for municipal development. The discussions revolved around crucial topics, such as the advancement of smart and inclusive cities, municipal transformation, and innovation within the public sector. All participating municipalities are members of the #M4EG #Mayors4EconomicGrowth network, established by the European Union and UNDP. More... Source: UNDP Georgia 

Tbilisi. United for Georgia’s European Way”- the EU and partners team up for Georgia's European future with a new project. As part of the project launch, the guests had the opportunity to explore the exhibition "United Georgia for Europe” and rediscover Georgia's historical connections with other European countries. The exhibition also casted a spotlight on Georgian historical figures and events, which highlight the long-lasting commitment of Georgia and its people to European democratic values. More... Source: European Union in Georgia

In the face of the raising challenges of online abuse, cyberbullying, and discrimination, the proactive strategies to cultivate a safer digital space for women has never been more urgent. As we approach Human Rights Day, read the practical approaches that empower individuals to stand against these issues, contribute to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity online and create a digital world that reflects the principles of equality and human rights for all. More... Source: European Union in 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. On December 4th, we facilitated a compelling discourse addressing the hurdles in establishing a fair pre-election environment for the upcoming 2024 elections. The discussion featured active participation from political party representatives, both local and international organizations, the Office of the Public Defender, the Central Election Commission (CEC), and diplomatic entities. Our deliberations encompassed the perils associated with the utilization of administrative resources prior to elections, the systematic violations uncovered in previous electoral processes, and strategies for their prevention in the current election cycle. This event was made possible through the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). More… Source: Transparency International Georgia

According to the report published by UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, around 23% of children with disabilities in Georgia have felt discriminated against or harassed. Creating an inclusive society free from discrimination is paramount to a better future for children and their families.  The report... Source: UNICEF

Tbilisi.The winners of the “EU Human Rights in Film Award” 2023 have been revealed!  EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski awarded the outstanding filmmakers in two categories at the Tbilisi International Film Festival. Congratulations to two talented creators for their impactful contributions to human rights storytelling, Luka Beradze the winner of the documentary award for his film “Smiling Georgia” and Abbas Amini, the winner in the fiction category for his film „Endless Borders“.  More… Source: EU

Tbilisi.The EU is excited to be part of this heartwarming event at the Sheraton hotel, which will be turned into a winter wonderland.  It'll be showcasing the incredible products of EU-supported projects and beneficiaries in Georgia.  Come and test your knowledge with "Knowledge Wheel" quiz game! Explore fun facts about the EU and its member states in an interactive way.  Enjoy Christmas carols, special programs for kids, a puppy corner, and a raffle.  More… Source: EU

Tbilisi. Soviet Past Research Laboratory invites you to the opening of the exhibition PHOTOGRAPHER FROM THE FOURTH FLOOR on December 6th at 16:00 at the Artarea exhibition space.  In a huge black suitcase bought at the flea market in 2022, we found up to 500 glass negatives in wide format. After a long process of digitization, the archive of an unknown photographer unveiled a new and unique perspective of 1930’s Tbilisi, as well as various other parts of Georgia.  Beyond the street scenes, city views, Soviet parades, portraits, family situations, work environments, resorts, pastoral life, and sporting events, we glimpse something more. In these frozen moments depicting seemingly active, vibrant, joyful, content, and well-disposed people, one can still feel the omnipresence of totalitarianism. Stalin’s grim face looks at us from the walls, leaders of various political influences have incarnated into street posters, and the diamond-shaped collars of men in uniforms flash in front of our eyes. The faces of citizens who witnessed and survived the unrelenting political terror, famine, and deficits of the 1920s and 1930s bear the traces of that time. And we, as viewers, know that they, together with the photographer, are heading towards the end of the 1930s, towards the unprecedented catastrophe – towards the Great Soviet Terror.  Therefore, this photo heritage from an unknown man, showcasing the vision of an independent and professional photographer, can be seen as a message for future generations.  More… Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory

During this busy week, Green Alternative organised capacity-building workshops for local civil society actors and municipal authorities from the Guria and Samegrelo Zemo-Svaneti regions on climate change and the need to take action at local level. In order to pursue coordination, the parties have created online communication groups on which they will exchange information and opinions on climate change issues.   The capacity-building workshops held as part of the project - "strengthening civil society in the implementation of national climate policy". The implementation of the project has been made possible by financial support from the German Federal Government's International Climate Initiative (IKI).  More... Source: Green Alternative 

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...

GiveInternet.org is looking for a Content Strategist & Creator.  GiveInternet.org is a US-based nonprofit platform where anyone can sponsor Internet fees and laptops for underserved students in developing countries.  The project was built by the team behind Charte.ge, a Georgian version of the platform. To date, up to a hundred students have been brought online in Africa and Asia thanks to support from international donors. More... Source: Charte

The EU-supported Euroclub which has become a centre for education, civic awareness, and European values in Georgia marked its four-year anniversary.  The event brought together the President of Georgia, as well as representatives from EU and other countries! More... Source: European Union in Georgia