Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe has published its decision on the supervision on the case of Identoba and others v Georgia at 1355th CM meeting, 23-25 September 2019 (DH).  By the EMC, in addition, the Court held that the authorities had breached their obligation to ensure that the march could take place peacefully by failing sufficiently to contain homophobic and violent counter-demonstrators (violation of Article 11 taken in conjunction with Article 14).  Read more… Source: https://emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. According to information of the Gender Informational Portal, Esma Gumberidze, a representative of youth of Georgia, delivered a speech at the UN. “In her speech, Esma Gumberidze spoke about the necessity of inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of social, political, economic and cultural life. As she said, it is important to identify such people and barriers and, first of all, hear their voice”, - is stated on the website of the portal.  Read more… Source: www.ginsc.net

Tbilisi. By the Transparency International Georgia the practice of using citizen engagement mechanisms in municipalities of Adjara has partially improved. In comparison to 2015-2016, the practice of using citizen engagement mechanisms in the municipalities of Adjara has improved in 2017-2019. Nevertheless, local governments need to work on improving the quality of citizen engagement.  ‘Transparency International Georgia has requested information from the city halls and Sakrebulos of Batumi, Khulo, Keda, Shuakhevi, Kobuleti and Khelvachauri municipalities to determine to what extent the existing legislation supports citizen engagement, whether municipal authorities make use of the opportunities provided by the legislation and with what issues the citizens address the local self-government’, - is said in the information of TI, - ‘In comparison to 2015-2016, the practice of using citizen engagement mechanisms in the municipalities of Adjara has improved in 2017-2019. Nevertheless, local governments need to work on improving the quality of citizen engagement’.  Read more…   Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has requested information from the city halls and Sakrebulos of Batumi, Khulo, Keda, Shuakhevi, Kobuleti and Khelvachauri municipalities to determine to what extent the existing legislation supports citizen engagement, whether municipal authorities make use of the opportunities provided by the legislation and with what issues the citizens address the local self-government. “This study shows that compared to previous years, municipalities in Adjara have been using the mechanisms of citizen engagement more effectively: the possibility of submitting petitions electronically in Keda, Kobuleti, Khelvachauri and Batumi is particularly noteworthy, however, according to Transparency International Georgia, the following steps need to be considered to further improve citizen engagement”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender of Georgia is responding to the comment made by Mamuka Khazaradze, founder of the Lelo political movement, about Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Maia Tskitishvili on 3 October 2019. Mamuka Khazaradze said: ‘Maia Tskitishvili knows nothing about infrastructure. She may bake khachapuri well, but I don't know what her experience was in her previous life, when she was receiving billions’.  ‘The Public Defender considers that Mamuka Khazaradze's statement is sexist and strengthens discriminatory stereotypes about gender roles of men and women. In his statement Mamuka Khazaradze implied that women can only be competent in the kitchen, while he quesitoend their ability to get involved in public or political life, their education and qualifications’, - mentions the Public Defender.  Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. In order to examine the practical impact of the law on the remuneration of employees, in particular the distribution of salaries among different employees, TI compared one-month remuneration in central apparatus of ministries before and after the law was implemented.  “As a result, it has been revealed that in 2017-2018, wage inequality increased in five out of eight ministries, while in three ministries it reduced. If we look at the figures of all eight ministries, it would appear that wage inequality has almost not changed during the study period. The purpose of the study was to analyze the inequality of remuneration in the central apparatus of ministries and to describe the trend following the adoption of the new law. To achieve these goals, we have used mean and median salaries in the ministries. To have a full comparison, salaries of political appointees (ministers and deputies) were also taken into account, even though the new law does not apply to them until 2021”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. Access to finance by small-scale farms and cooperatives in Georgia were discussed at a project launch conference held in Tbilisi Marriott today. The 4-year project “Finance & Extension & Cooperative Development for Georgian Farmers (FinExCoop Georgia)” is funded by EU and L’Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) under the ENPARD Programme with a total budget of EUR 4 million. It aims at improving access to finance and agricultural extension services by small farms and cooperatives in Georgia. The project is implemented in partnership with Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Mercy Corps and Rural Development for Future Georgia (RDFG).  This project is part of a global program aiming at improving financial inclusiveness and access to market for small-scale commercial farmers. The first component was financed by Proparco, AFD’s subsidiary dedicated to the private sector, through agro-credit lines extended to two major Georgian financial institutions.  Read more… Source: http://enpard.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies publishes a blog post: Policy of Kremlin in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region: Important news of September.  “The article provides an overview of important developments occurred in September 2019 that are related to the policy of Kremlin in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: kremlin-roadmap.gfsis.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...

As part of a broader effort to protect Georgia’s rich natural resources, the European Union (EU), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is assisting the country in introducing sustainable forest management practices and increasing national expertise in forest inventory.  Lagodekhi is the first of four target municipalities where this support to the National Forestry Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia resulted in the execution of a forest inventory covering more than 21,000 hectares. The data collected will provide the basis for the development of a sustainable forest management plan. By the end of 2020, similar forest inventories will be carried out in the Akhmeta, Tetritskaro and Dedoplistskaro municipalities.  The EU and UNDP assistance also includes specialized training for 15 forestry specialists in different Georgian universities.  Read more... Source: http://enpard.ge

Tbilisi. Lawyer to defend rights of Akhalgori activist and journalist, Tamar Mearakishvili.  “Human Rights House Tbilisi” with the financial support of donors – “Human Rights House Foundation and “Urgent Action Fund” will completely cover the expenses of Tamar Mearakishvili’s lawyer. Tamar Merakishvili was kidnapped for several hours in August 2017 and de-facto authorities of the occupied Tskhinvali launched a case against her. Akhalgori District Court dropped all charges against Mearakishvili, but the so-called prosecution remitted the case to the court in July 2019. Read more…  Source: The web-page of the organization

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: On the Mass Burial Site of the Victims of the Soviet Repressions Discovered in Batumi.  “IDFI was actively involved in the search for archival documents about the people repressed in Batumi and Adjara. Through the archival research carried out by the organization, specifically through the study of the minutes of the execution of the extreme penalty, it has been established that between 1937-1938, through the various means of punishments (such as “Kulak” operation, Stalinist lists, national repressions, etc.) totally 1050 were executed in Adjara which is several hundred times more than the amount assumed before”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) publishes a blog post: Hate Speech in Public Service.  “The study contains a review of a legislative framework that defines restriction of use of hate speech by people employed at public sector. Within the process of survey there were identified those civil servants who used hate speech in public space”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) publishes a blog post: Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in Georgia.  “This policy brief examines Georgia’s capacity and prospects to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a global standard, which promotes open and accountable management of natural resources. Natural resources can be important drivers of economic growth, at the same time, extractive industries is an area susceptible to corruption and mismanagement. Inefficiency in this sector can lead to dire consequences, can create negative economic, environmental and social impacts in the country”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Imereti. Within the framework of the project “Inclusive Dialogue - Effective Social Policy”, Local Democracy Agency Georgia held a working meetings with the representatives of Zestaponi Municipality's Social and Financial-Budgetary Service. Based on their involvement and the project needs assessment document, two programs have been developed, detailing the program objectives, short-term and long-term outcomes.  „The aim of the project is to improve social service delivery system in Zestafoni and Baghdati municipalities of Imereti Region and to develop better need-based social policies through inclusive cooperation and dialogue with local self-government“.  Read more… Source: Social network

Tbilisi. By an official letter of the European Court of Human Rights of September 27, 2019, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) has been notified that on September 23, the European Court made its decision in regard to substantive review of the Machalikashvili case and began communicating with the government.  “It is important that the European Court started substantive review of the case in time and as a matter of priority, which fact in this case, among others, emphasizes severity of breach of the right as well as high level and importance of the conventional right to live”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Samegrelo. Yet another joint initiative of the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA), Gastronomic Association of Georgia and USAID Zrda – a three-day Gastronomic Tour around Samegrelo took place During September 26-28.  “The starred chefs visited the local restaurants and guesthouses to perform creative culinary classes for the media representatives“.  Read more… Source: Social Network

Tbilisi. “Transparency International Georgia” will defend rights of journalists Nanuka Zhorzholiani and Nodar Meladze in court.  “There has been contested a decision of Paata Salia, Director General of TV Company Rustavi 2, based on which Nanuka Zhorzholiani and Nodar Meladze were illegally dismissed from the TV Company on the ground of gross violation of their official duties”.  Read more…   Source: The website of the organization in a social network

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) publishes information regarding a decision on the case of the Batumi mosque.  “In particular, the court made a decision that a legal act, issued by the Batumi City Hall that restricts the Muslim community to build a new mosque in Batumi, is illegal and discriminatory”, - is stated on the website of the organization.  Read more… Source: emc.org.ge

Tbilisi. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the State Inspector Service held a public discussion about the Draft Law on Personal Data Protection. The event brought together representatives of the State Inspector Service, the Parliament of Georgia, civil society and media organizations to exchange positions and concerns about draft law.  “If the draft law is adopted without the initiation of appropriate amendments in other legislative acts, access to the full text of court decisions will still be limited, which will be contrary to the standard established by the Constitutional Court of Georgia. Moreover, when enforcing the right to erasure and right to restriction of processing of personal data, there is a risk that freedom of expression will be disproportionately restricted”, is noted in the statement.  Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On 27th of September, the launch of wide-scale public campaign - “This Country is Yours” was held at Ilia Chavchavadze Hall of National Library of Georgia.  The public campaign aims to strengthen civil society in Georgia, promote civil values, embrace civic activism and raise public awareness on CSOs and their work. At the opening of the event the Deputy Head of Cooperation Section of EU Delegation to Georgia, Catalin Gherman stated: “The EU remains a close ally and supporter of civil society. We count on you to help us devising the best policies and programmes, to be our eyes and ears when it comes to their implementation and to hold the government and authorities accountable to their commitments.”  “The project contributes to the empowerment of civil society, by enhancing its role and importance in supporting democratic processes in the country. It is achievable only through proactive and direct communication with society. Proper communication strategy is a gateway for gaining high credibility and public trust”- noted Team Leader of Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative, David Aprasidze.  The comprehensive study on public attitudes and widely believed stereotypes, related to CSOs and civic values, was conducted in the framework of the project - “Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative”. Based on the key findings, the communication strategy was elaborated. The strategy highlighted socially active groups: students, youth, civic education teachers, and media that represent major pillars of the campaign. The strategy also predefined particular behavioral change needs to be achieved within each target groups, along with effective communication channels and instruments.  “This Country is Yours” (Share Responsibility) is a value-based public campaign, developed under this strategy to evoke public awareness, that the route towards European type of society, where security and human rights are protected, economy and education are developed and social rights are guaranteed, relies on the values of civil society.” – underlined Vazha Salamadze, Director of CSI.  Media and other awareness raising products and activities, aiming to instigate the successful implantation of the campaign, were introduced at the event:  •Almanac “Freedom, Justice & Democracy in Georgian Thoughts”  •Short Self-Study Online Tutorials for Youth  •Online Course “Journalism for Social Change”  •Cycle of TV Shows in the Regional Media  •CSOs PR Guideline •CSOs’ Web-portal www.csogeorgia.org  •Social Media Campaign  •Promo and Advertising of the Campaign  •Contest for Journalists, Bloggers, School students and etc.  The representatives of local, international CSOs, donor organizations, central and regional media, youth, civic activists and other opinion leaders attended the event to support widespread launch of the campaign and create ownership among all development actors and thus encourage the synergy of various efforts.  The progressive development of the country relies on the common acknowledgement of each citizens’ role and responsibility in this process.  Public campaign “This Country is Yours” is part of the project - “Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative”, which was developed and is implemented by the consortium, led by the Konrad¬-Adenauer¬-Stiftung in cooperation with four Georgian Civil Society Organizations: Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). The project is funded by the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Tbilisi. Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC) responds to the protest of Tkibuli miners.  “We consider that the complicated situation, occurred in Tkibuli, is the responsibility of the state and it fully reflects condition entailed by complete neglect of toughest challenges faced by the City over the years. This condition threatens the future of not only people employed at shafts but the entire region as well. Despite numerous demands, the state is still missing development plans for Tkibuli and other industrial cities, thus keeping those employed at the company and population of the region in complete uncertainty and ambiguity”, - is stated on the website of the organization. Read more… Source: emc.org.ge