A consultation meeting with the Eastern Partnership Region and Europe AML/CFT Multi-Stakeholder was held in Warsaw on April 4-5, 2023, organized by the EU Global Facility. Presenters from Georgia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria took part in the meeting. Representatives from Europe also participated in seminars. Experts shared their relevant knowledge during work meetings and spoke about challenges related to the implementation of the 8th recommendation of the FATF (the Financial Action Task Force) and also shared best practices related to the cooperation of the governmental institutions and civil society and the role of the financial sector in this process.  During the meetings, a CSI representative also participated as a presenter and spoke about current processes and challenges related to the civil sector 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...

Adjara. According to the Transparency International Georgia, there are signs of corruption present in the development of Salibauri Hills residential area near Batumi, which is being planned by the Russian-owned company “H Group Development.” “On November 25, 2022, two Georgian citizens connected with the company donated a total of GEL 40,000 to the ruling party. Two weeks later, Khelvachauri Municipal Council unanimously approved the Detailed Development Plan (DDP) for the project. The fact that the permit was issued shortly after the donation raises the suspicion that the purpose of the donation may have been to obtain said permit”. See full blog… Source: transparency.ge

Kyrgyzstan. On April 10, 2023, the Georgian Center for Strategy and Development (GCSD) and the American University of Central Asia signed a memorandum of understanding in Bishkek. The purpose of this MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration to promote innovative and participatory approaches to implementing joint projects, virtual internships, fellowships, trainings and events, as well as to establish new networks. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. GCSD is presenting the manual – “Preventing Illicit Transactions Related to Russian Advanced Conventional Weapon (ACW) Systems: An Operational Manual” in both Georgian and English languages. “This manual is focused on providing operational awareness of specific ACW components and systems as well as sanctions regimes to restrict Russia’s access to the components and transactions required for ACW manufacture and distribution”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center shares the document which reviews the institutional arrangement, main functions, management issues and the accountability concerns over the National Security Council and its bodies. “In light of Georgia’s regional and global challenges, it is concerning that the national-level conceptual documents - the National Security Concept, the Threats Assessment Document, and the relevant strategies are outdated and cannot respond to emerged challenges”… Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. With the support of USAID, an Easter Fair is taking place at City Mall Saburtalo featuring a wide range of Easter decorations made by small enterprises. If you want to discover and purchase beautiful handmade accessories made in different regions of Georgia, then join us at City Mall (Address: P. Kavtaradze #1, the first floor). Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kakheti. At the workshop, the CSO representatives discussed the role of civil society in the EU-integration, in particular, how to contribute to the process of granting the candidate status to Georgia. Also, the participants shared information about completed or ongoing reforms and projects implemented in Georgia with the support of the EU. Read more… Source: STAR project page on the social network

Guria. MAC Georgia’s Rural Schools Program implemented another “Weekend Academy” last week at Chochkhati’s Public School in Lanchkhuti Municipality. The Weekend Academy included a variety of activities, such as: Intellectual Competitions; Theater Drills; Sport Activities; Cognitive Games; Morning Warm-Up line dances…and more! 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. On 13 March 2023, the Venice Commission published an interim opinion on the draft law on de-oligarchization. The document assesses the risks stemming from the draft law and suggests potential alternative ways to eliminate the excessive influence of vested interests in economic, political and public life. Taking into account the conclusion of the Venice Commission, TI Georgia considers that the government should achieve the goal of de-oligarchization not by adopting a single special law, but rather by strengthening state institutions and implementing fundamental sectoral reforms. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgia Red Cross recently conducted a three-day training for volunteers and employees who will be working to facilitate child-friendly spaces. The main goal of this initiative is to integrate Ukrainian children and help them manage stress. Child-friendly spaces are safe places designed to provide a comfortable environment for children to play, learn, and express themselves freely. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Regions. Teachers in three regions of Georgia are engaged in training sessions on civic engagement, participation, and education for sustainable development. The training is part of the Teachers Civic Engagement Program, which is organized by CENN and supported by the US Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia. The program aims to increase teachers' engagement in civil society development and democracy. Read more here… Source: www.cenn.org

Tbilisi. On April 5, 2023, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with Wolt couriers who are on a strike and listened to their problems related to their labor rights and discrimination. According to the applications filed with the Public Defender’s Office, some of the couriers were blocked by the Wolt application, which is why they cannot continue working, while others received a warning message about their dismissal from the company. The couriers name their protest against the company as the reason for the violation of their rights. The Public Defender continues to study the mentioned applications and will make a decision in the near future. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, based on publicly available sources, reacts to the case of Lazare Grigoriadis and believes that there may be cases of violation of the rights of the accused, which is why it calls on the Special Investigation Service and the Public Defender to act in accordance with their mandate. In particular, 1. The court did not publicly justify the imprisonment used as a preventive measure; 2. Statements made by high-ranking officials may adversely affect Lazare Grigoriadis' right to a fair trial. This, in some cases, at the same time, violates the presumption of innocence of Lazare Grigoriadis; 3. Possible violation of the privilege against self-incrimination; 4. Possible Violation of the Prohibition of Mistreatment. GYLA calls for: - the Government representatives - to refrain from discriminatory statements and not to go beyond the framework of the presumption of innocence in the case of Lazare Grigoriadis. - the Special Penitentiary Service - to protect the prisoner's rights in full compliance with the national legislation and the state's international obligations. - the Special Investigation Service - to start an investigation based on the information provided by the lawyer of Lazare Grigoriadis. - the Public Defender of Georgia - as the person supervising the protection of human rights in the territory of Georgia, to act with the mechanisms stipulated by their mandate and, among them, to carry out frequent monitoring of the legal situation of the prisoner Lazare Grigoriadis. Read more… Source: www.gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The rights of LGBTQI+ in Georgia are the focus of the discussions between civil society and international organizations. The spring coordination meeting brought together the representatives of community organizations that summarized the results achieved in 2022, discussed the existing challenges and made future plans. Discussions are supported by the Norway-funded “Leadership, Equality, Advocacy and Democracy” LEAD initiative and Swedish-funded “UN Joint Programme for Gender Equality” in partnership with National Democratic Institute and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. The locals in Akhaltsikhe are demanding the construction of roads and drainage channels in Koriani area. “The current road conditions are hazardous during bad weather, and the improvement of the infrastructure is a crucial necessity for the residents. Moreover, other Vale residents also need to travel through this section to access their arable land”. TI Georgia urges the Akhaltsikhe Municipality Mayor's Office to address the request promptly and meet the demand of the locals. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. According to TI Georgia, the organization’s lawyers successfully litigated at three instance courts the case of the illegal dismissal of Vakhtang Beridze from the director’s position at the Shuakhevi Cultural Center. 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. On March 29, 2023, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, visited the arbitrarily built “dream town” in the city of Batumi and learned about the situation of its inhabitants. “The homeless citizens of Georgia, resettled from the mountainous Adjara region, have been living in the conditions of faulty water supply, sewage and electricity systems for more than 10 years. Due to the lack of road infrastructure, it is also difficult for children to get pre-school and secondary education”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. PHR needs the help of friends. “The organization is asking for your help in covering our utilities and office rent for the current month (March 2023) so that we can continue to operate and not face the threat of office closure. Specifically, we will cover the following costs: Electricity, natural gas, GWP, cleaning, internet, phone, and Georgian post service”. The total amount is 927.10 (nine hundred and twenty-seven lari.  JSC „TBC Bank“, Account number: #GE88TB7589036080100003 Partnership for Human Rights. In subject write donation. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network