Tbilisi. Are you going to Tbilisi Open Air on 23-25 June? You can see the European Union there spreading the festive spirit among the youth.  “We are bringing something unique and engaging for you! Join our life-size Intellectual game, “European Way: Evropis Gza” hosted by Davit Gorgiladze and get ready to dive into an unforgettable experience filled with excitement, learning, and lots of laughter! The game is created by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung South Caucasus with our support”. Read more… Source: The EU’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...

On June 14, Civil Society Institute (SCI), in partnership with European Center for Non-for-Profit Law (ECNL) and Partners Georgia held a discussion meeting, which aimed at increasing the engagement of civil society and consolidation of CSOs’ visions around Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT). Latest report of Council of Europe’s Anti-Money Laundering Committee (MONEYVAL) was discussed at the meeting as well as Georgian National Risk Assessment Report and its action plan, which is currently being work on by the Georgian government. Georgia received the lowest ranking in the report in regards to its preventive measures against potential risk of noncommercial sector being wrongfully used.  At the meeting it was underlined that CSOs are not involved in the process of assessing preventive measures, which can lead to the introduction of such measures and regulations that might negatively affect the CSO environment in Georgia.  International experts and local CSO representatives participated in the meeting during which potential measures to prevent risks according to FATF recommendations, as well as mechanisms to increase active participation of CSOs and development of self-regulation measures were discussed. Second topic of the meeting focused on the cooperation between NPOs and banks, including National Bank of Georgia’s AML/CFT policy in regards to NPOs.

Tbilisi. Organized by the members of the Committee of Concerned Citizens of TI Georgia’s Akhaltsikhe office, the organization applied to the local government with the request to arrange a sports field in the village of Arzne in Adigen. The letter is signed by locals. “In a mountain village with 16 households, where more than 30 children live, there is no sports infrastructure, recreational and entertainment space”. TI Georgia calls on the City Hall of Adigeni Municipality to consider the appeal in a timely manner and take this issue into account when making changes to the current year's budget. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. Unlocking the potential of our youth is a vital step in shaping a society that cherishes equality, embraces diversity, and champions advocacy. That is why UNDP embarked on a journey to Kakheti Euroclub with the captivating photo exhibition “Faces of Diversity”. “During our engaging discussion with the local youth, we were truly inspired by their fascinating initiatives addressing human rights, gender equality, and inclusion. While visiting Kvareli Municipality, we met with more than hundred students from five different public schools. Our discussions revolved around the right to education, the safeguarding of minority rights, and the engagement of young individuals in shaping democracy. We drove into the accomplishments attained in these areas and addressed the prevailing challenges that demand our attention. After the insightful meetings in Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Akhaltsikhe, and Kvareli, we will continue our engagement with youth in other regions of Georgia. The series of discussions with youth is supported by Norway and Sweden as part of UNDP’s ongoing projects for gender equality, minority rights, and social inclusion”. Read more… Source: The organizations page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the USAID Local Government Program, various marginalized groups in Georgia do not have equal access to or control over resources and suffer from structural poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to state services. Social exclusion of certain groups is multidimensional, encompassing socioeconomic, cultural, linguistic, and political factors.  “While certain strategies and state implemented programs have considerably improved the level of integration, their decision-making ability and authority is minimal at both central and municipal levels of government.  Local Governance Program’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Plan is designed to understand and deal with the complexities of aiding with better outcomes for the underrepresented groups. The Local Governance Program provides an opportunity to work with at least 22 partner municipalities throughout Georgia to ensure the underrepresented groups participate and benefit from decentralization and public sector reforms”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia won another case.  “The Kakhadze family, eco migrants living in jvariketi, khulo, had their application for compensation denied by the agency after their home was destroyed by a landslide.  TI Georgia’s lawyers challenged this decision in courts, ultimately resulting in the agency agreeing to reconsider the Kakhadze family’s compensation application”. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. GCSD launched a fantastic STEM Camp from May 24-27 at Buckswood School as part of SHE's GREAT project! Fifty enthusiastic participants from various public schools from Sachkere, Senaki, Zugdidi, Bolnisi, Marneuli, Tserovani, Akhatsikhe,  and Tbilisi joined this engaging event. They all share a strong interest in the fields of science and technology. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. June 9 is International Archives Day, established by the International Council on Archives (ICA). IDFI presents the archival documents collected by IDFI - the so-called “Stalin’s Lists”, based on which more than 3,600 people in Georgia were victims of repression. The majority of these people were convicted under the "first category" and sentenced to be shot, together with their property being confiscated. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. With the coordination of TI Georgia’s committee of concerned citizens, the organization has submitted a statement to Zugdidi City Hall, urging them to address the issues faced by the residents of Beach Street in Chitatskari village, Zugdidi municipality. “The community members have expressed their need for the road surface to be paved, drainage channels to be constructed, outdoor lighting system to be installed, and the establishment of a water supply and sewage system”. TI Georgia requests the City Hall of Zugdidi Municipality to fulfill the legitimate demands of the citizens. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. GDI publishes the special Report on SLAPP cases in Georgia. “Legal disputes initiated by high-ranking political officials, members of the Georgian Dream, and others related to them on the grounds of defamation have recently become one of the tools for the restriction of media freedom. According to the observation of Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), in 2021-2023, the so-called attacks against critical media and human rights defenders initiated and significantly increased the tendency to address the Courts with SLAPP (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation) lawsuits. A SLAPP represents an apparently groundless defamation lawsuit initiated by politically or financially influential entities/individuals. The aim of these lawsuits is not to protect honor, dignity, or company reputation but to silence publicly active citizens and create financial barriers for them. However, SLAPPs also have a “chilling effect” beyond individual cases, undermining the development of a healthy and pluralistic environment where citizens can exercise civil initiatives”. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. The EU Delegation to Georgia has funded translation into Georgian and publishing of the European Commission’s Guidelines for teachers and educators on tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy through education and training, developed in October 2022. “Developed with the support of the multidisciplinary Expert Group, the Guidelines are targeted at teachers and educators in primary and secondary levels of education, with some or no prior experience with digital literacy or disinformation. They provide hands-on guidance, practical tips and activity plans to foster an understanding of how to enhance digital literacy and provide practical knowledge about disinformation. Guidelines also offer advice on how to use digital technologies responsibly and how to assess student competences concerning digital literacy”. 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...

Adjara. The GYLA responds to the events of the peaceful protest in Batumi. “Based on the publicly disseminated facts it is known, that On June 3 at the Era Square in Batumi, At the rally aimed at declaration of solidarity with the illegally and arbitrarily detained human rights defenders in front of the parliament on June 2, 2023, 6 people were detained administratively, including two minors. It is worrisome, that after Tbilisi, in Batumi, the freedom of expression and assembly continues to be illegally restricted by repressive police mechanisms. The footage shows the use of physical force by the police against several people (clashes, handshakes), as well as the facts of violent arrests. As can be seen from the footage, the rally participant was arrested for calling the policeman "shameful". Detention of individuals on such grounds is not new in the Georgian reality, although it is important to note that state bodies and civil servants are subject to wider limits of criticism than private citizens. When a person's actions at a peaceful demonstration are neither violent, nor intended to be violent, their administrative detention runs counter to the guarantees protected by the freedoms of assembly and expression. In the footage, it is also clear how one of the detainees (who, as it turns out from the shouts of the people, is a minor) is probably being detained hands behind their backs, while their face is slammed to the front part of the car. In this regard, it is important to note that a widespread method of administrative detention is the use of rubber/plastic handcuffs during policing operations during demonstrations. However, in such a case, the police officer must warn the detainee that force/resistance may result in handcuffing and possible injury. Tight handcuffs can cause swelling, bruising, redness, numbness and other nerve damage, which in certain cases can reach the level of maltreatment. Such a warning does not appear in the video material”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Information Integrity Coalition will host its first annual conference on June 6, focusing on Russian hybrid threats, Kremlin’s various vectors of influence and existing (or lack of) Georgia's state response. The conference will feature several panel discussions by Coalition members, representatives of policymakers, academia, media, and other experts. Read more…

Kvemo Kartli. The Education Development and Employment Center and Kvemo Kartli Regional Hub organized a workshop for the members of the Bolnisi Youth Council. “Volunteering and Civic Activism” was the topic of the workshop, which aimed to increase the culture of volunteerism among young people, facilitate an open dialogue about civic activism, support the role and activities of youth councils, and familiarize participants with the characteristics and connections that exist between volunteering and civic activism. Find out more… Source: The STAR project’s page on the social network

Kakheti. European Union in Georgia (EU) and UNDP Georgia under the Human Rights 4All project join hands with Qedeli Community to promote social inclusion, independent living, and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Sighnaghi municipality through the implementation of a personal assistant service. “The Community hosted the gathering with the representatives of Signagi as well as other municipalities from the Kakheti region to share best practices of personal assistant service. It will help to ensure PWDs in the area are able to exercise their rights and equal opportunities as everyone else. Qedeli is a dynamic, life-sharing community for adults with disabilities in Georgia that has been striving for more than two decades to overcome the stigmatization of PWDs and promote their social inclusion”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Ahead of World Environment Day, UNDP’s new research sheds light on environmental education and awareness in Georgia. 9 out of 10 respondents feel the negative impact of Climate Change. 91% of respondents believe that water pollution should be punishable by the law. 90% recognize the importance of waste separation practices. 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. The forth award ceremony of ‘Georgia’s Responsible Business Awards – Meliora 2022’ supported by the European Union (EU) and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), and implemented by the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) was held on 30 May 2023. “An annual competition aimed at developing corporate responsibility in Georgia and promoting it throughout society, awards business companies for their best initiatives and projects  contributing to the development of corporate social responsibility. As part of this event, the members of diplomatic corps and international experts presented awards to winners in various categories”. Read more… Source: eu4georgia.eu

Tbilisi. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information shares the survey: Analysis of Overall Statistical Data on General Courts of Georgia 2010-2022”. “The analysis of the overall statistical data received from the Supreme Court of Georgia shows that in 2022, compared to the previous year, the number of appeals to the court for all three categories of cases has increased. The highest rate of criminal cases filed since 2010 was recorded in 2022, which can to some extent be attributed to the deterioration of the criminogenic environment in the country. It is worth noting that the share of acquittals in criminal cases has significantly increased in the last 5 years, which on the one hand may be due to the raising of the standard of evidence required by the court to prove guilt, and on the other hand to the increase in the number of criminal cases conducted by investigative agencies in an unqualified manner”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge