Now in its over thirteen years, Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) allows Georgian secondary school students in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades to study at an American high school and live with an American host family. The FLEX program is fully funded by the U.S. Department of State program and is administered by American Councils for International Education in Georgia. The program will offer scholarships to secondary school students from Georgia for the 2024-2025 academic years. Scholarship recipients will be provided with a round-trip ticket from their home to the United States and back as well as a monthly allowance for living expenses. While in the U.S., Georgian students will have the opportunity to share Georgian culture. They will learn about the United States firsthand by participating in family life, school study, and extracurricular activities. Recipients of FLEX scholarships are selected by an independent panel of experienced educators in the United States based on merit demonstrated in the application materials. Merit is determined by evaluating the online application, recommendations, English language proficiency, and an applicant’s demonstrated preparedness for a yearlong exchange experience. We invite all students to participate in the competition who: (1) Are presently studying in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades and have good academic standing; (2) Were born between January 1, 2007, and July 15, 2009; (3) Are eligible to receive a U.S. visa; (4) Have not lived in the United States for more than three months in the last five years; (5) Are citizens of Georgia; (6) Have previously studied English or demonstrate English language abilities. The FLEX program is open to all high school students who meet the requirements of the program, including students with disabilities. Over 270 disabled students have already studied in the U.S. in this program. The age/grade requirements for disabled students differ from the requirements for other applicants. Disabled candidates must be born between February 15, 2006, and July 15, 2009, and must be studying in 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. The first and second rounds will be held online, semi-final – interview, and testing- will be held offline. Applicants can participate in the recruitment process from any location that has Internet access, using either a mobile device or a computer. The standards for the program will remain very high and we expect competition to be strong. The first round of testing is open to all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria above and will take place online from August 1 until September 28, 2023. It includes a preliminary online application and three essay questions that must be submitted within 10 days of starting the application.  Eligible applicants can apply here... After submitting the preliminary application, all students will automatically be invited to take part in Round 2, which consists of an online English language test. Round 3 will include an interview, two more essay questions, a comprehensive English language test, and the full application. Students who advance to this stage will be contacted by the American Councils Georgia office. More information about the program can be found at the following link... Source: georgia.americancouncils.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...

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...

Tbilisi. Under the leadership of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, 9 civil society organizations regularly evaluate the state of fulfillment of 12 priorities defined by the EU. “The fifth edition of their assessment document – EU CANDIDACY CHECK reflects the progress achieved by the Georgian authorities in this context until the period of August 1, 2023, as well as the current state of play and the steps to be implemented in the future by the authorities so that Georgia gets the EU Candidacy Status. According to CSOs’ assessments, at this stage, one priority is fully implemented, two priorities are mostly fulfilled, seven priorities are partially fulfilled, and two priorities (deoligarchisation and political polarization) defined by the European Union are to be fulfilled. The previous EU CANDIDACY CHECK documents have shown that civil society assessments are largely in line with the interim assessment presented by the EU on 22 June 2023. From June 20 to August 1, 2023, small progress has been made in terms of fulfilling the priorities such as media pluralism and involvement of CSOs in decision-making. In the first context, the President pardoned Nika Gvaramia, and on the other hand, the government considered certain recommendations of the civil society in the process of developing a number of draft laws”. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. The UNICEF shares the tips on how to look after yourself and others online. “Being online can present lots of great opportunities to connect, learn and share what’s important to you, but it comes with challenges too. If social media or the internet has ever made you feel stressed, envious or lonely, or experience feelings of lower self-esteem or social anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Here are five tips on how to look after your mental health and be kind online. Avoid doomscrolling Be mindful Protect yourself and others online Choose kindness Stay present and connected IRL”. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. The UNICEF shares the tips for a very hot summer. “Heatstroke occurs due to long stays outside during high temperatures, and as a consequence of a direct exposure to sunshine, as well as a consequence of staying in an enclosed space, due to damp and overheated air, i.e. in public transport, an automobile, or an overheated apartment. Even though a parent may feel comfortable at a certain temperature, this should not necessarily imply that the child feels the same way, since he/she is yet to have his/her thermoregulation stabilised. Newborns, infants, and toddlers should be taken out early in the morning and later in the afternoon. It is not advisable to take young children out during the hottest period of the day, from 10AM to 5PM. The child should be dressed in loose-fitting clothes made of natural materials (cotton, linen), with his/her head covered with an obligatory cotton cap, or a hat. Always have with you a bottle of water that you should offer the child frequently, at least a sip or two (instead of water, this can also be a mild lemonade). Never leave children in your car, or other type of vehicle in the sun – not even for a couple of minutes!” Read more… Source: www.unicef.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...

Adjara. With the initiative of our Committee of concerned citizens, the electronic petition for the implementation of the “Municipal Program of Sterilization-Castration of Pets” in Kobuleti City Council has been launched. The purpose of this petition is to establish a pet sterilization-castration program in Kobuleti starting from the 2024 budget year, providing free services for citizens during the first two years, and to establish a shelter for homeless animals by 2025. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On July 21, 2023, at the Writers' House of Georgia, the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) presented the updated website of "Stalin's Lists".  “”Stalin's Lists” include data, archival materials and photographs about the victims of the "Great Terror" of 1937-1938 in Georgia. The “Stalin's Lists” database combines information on 3616 persons who were tried directly by the decision of Stalin and other members of the Politburo. The platform allows interested people to find information about their ancestors who were victims of the repressions of 1937-1938”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF spoke with adolescent psychologist Dr Lisa Damour about how parents can best navigate this time, providing teens with opportunities to grow and engage in new experiences, while helping them to stay safe. “Teenagers’ interest in new experiences is natural and a key part of what helps them grow. By pushing boundaries, teens develop independence and become increasingly self-reliant. But sometimes teenagers can take risks that put their safety and those around them in danger. It can be a worrisome time for parents, but it’s important to remember that teens are built to seek independence and freedom. It's a sign of their healthy development”. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. On July 18-19 "Transparency International-Georgia" organized trainings for the members of the parliament, assistants of deputies and employees of political fractions on the following topics: The rule of procedure of the parliament and ways to improvement; Anti-corruption legislation;  The main challenges of media legislation; Searching for corruption facts through public databases and Internet resources; The role of the opposition and implementation of parliamentary control. 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...

Tbilisi. With the assistance of TI Georgia’s legal team the Kutaisi court of appeal ruled in favor of Vazha Tavartkiladze, dismissing the case and rejecting the allegation that he had violated the law. Previously, the Batumi city court had imposed a fine of 1000 Gel on him for the inscription displayed on his window, which read “Zonder Mayor of Batumi is an Enemy of the People”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. Elmira Jinjolia is one of 80 conflict-affected people in Georgia who benefit from the EU’s and UNDP Georgia’s support. Project helped Elmira enroll in an entrepreneurship training programme, participate in a grant competition and made the business idea of opening a coffee shop into a reality. Read more… Source: The EU’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. According to the Transparency International Georgia, a petition has been officially registered at Zugdidi City Council, advocating for the implementation of the "Municipal Pet Sterilization-Castration Program". The petition has garnered an impressive 710 signatures from concerned citizens. “The idea belongs to Salome Parsvania, a passionate animal lover from Zugdidi, the petition received support from members of our Committee of Concerned Citizens who assisted in its preparation and signature collection. The petition's objective is to establish a pet sterilization-castration program in Zugdidi municipality, commencing from the 2024 budget year. Notably, citizens would have free access to this program for the initial two years”. TI Georgia urges the Zugdidi Municipality Council to diligently consider and endorse this petition within the legally prescribed timeframe. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the IDFI, employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Goga Razmadze describes discriminatory and humiliating treatment toward him. “Goga Razmadze’s statement is sufficiently concrete and needs effective Response. Some of these facts contain elements of a crime. IDFI supports Goga Razmadze and calls on the Ministry to stop any process that might be aimed at pressuring employees for their expressed opinions”. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. TI Georgia’s legal team successfully represented journalist Tengo Gogotishvili in all three instance courts, resulting in TV Company “Rustavi 2” being ordered to pay Tengo Gogotishvili’s salary and corresponding compensation. Read more… Source: TI Georgia’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Rondeli Foundation continues the series of meetings in the regions on the topic: ”Georgia awaiting EU candidate status: prospects and challenges.” “Foundation fellows Kakha Gogolashvili and Aleks Petriashvili met with the local NGOs and media in Telavi and Kutaisi. The discussion covered the history of the establishment of the EU and its importance, the challenges Georgia faces on its path to European integration, monitoring results of the fulfillment of 12 recommendations set by the European Commission, and the prospects of receiving the candidate status”. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

Tbilisi. TI Georgia’s legal team successfully represented journalist Paata Iakobashvili in all three instance courts, resulting in the TV Company “Rustavi 2” being ordered to pay Paata Iakobashvili’s salary and corresponding compensation. Read more… Source: TI Georgia’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...

Tbilisi. According to the TI Georgia, over the past two years, Natia Kukuladze, a member of the National Communications Commission of Georgia, failed to disclose her salary, 5 pieces of real estate and her husband’s business. “After the publication of the above material, Natia Kukuladze stated that the violations were a surprise for her, so she appealed to the Public Service Bureau, which identified a "technical misunderstanding". Her declaration has already been amended. Firstly, we welcome Ms. Kukuladze's prompt reaction and hope that she will continue to fulfill her obligation to fully declare assets in the future”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge