Estonia. From February 8th to 11th, IDFI joined the international conference “Necropolis of Communist Terror” in Tallinn, organized by the Institute of Historical Memory of Estonia and the “Saint Petersburg Memorial Research and Information Centre/Joffe Foundation”. During the conference, attendees had the opportunity to tour the Memorial Museum of Victims of Communism and pay their respects at the Memorial of Estonian Victims of Communism. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

The EU has adopted sanctions in response to Russia’s unprecedented and unprovoked military attack against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. The measures are designed to weaken Russia's economic base, depriving it of critical technologies and markets and significantly curtailing its ability to wage war. Learn more… Source: www.consilium.europa.eu

Tbilisi. Read the latest contribution from Rondeli Foundation's intern, Rachel Mohr, Civil Society Development & Repression. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

Tbilisi. GDI submitted a report on the media environment in Georgia to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. In particular, the report reviews the problems hindering the free environment for the media and the achievement of sustainable development goals, especially goal N16. The report highlights the growing tendency of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) in the form of defamation lawsuits, which are initiated by government representatives or persons associated with the government against the critical media. It is noteworthy that, so far, there have been about 32 SLAPP cases that are aimed at discrediting the critical media and preventing them from expressing critical opinions. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. According to Transparency International Georgia, Builder 21 Ltd., a company associated with Bachuki Nakani, the Chairperson of the Commission for Economic Issues and Tourism Development at the Mestia City Council, was awarded GEL 1,212,404 worth of local procurement contracts, including GEL 578,989, after Bachuki Nakani had been elected to the position. TI Georgia calls on the Anti-Corruption Agency of the State Security Service to examine the involvement of Builder 21 Ltd. in Mestia municipality procurements to see whether there are any indications of potential corruption. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. This report provides an overview of how anti-Western and pro-Russian disinformation narratives are disseminated in Georgia, who the main disseminators are, and how the Georgian government is countering them in the face of ongoing challenges. “The Georgian government is not effective in combating disinformation. There is no political will to tackle the problem. It is crucial to update and prepare strategic documents on disinformation and security (National Strategy on Countering Hybrid Threats, National Security Concept) to respond to modern challenges and growing disinformation threats”, is noted in the report made by Transparency International Georgia. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

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. Read the tips for parents shared by the IDFI. Use google safe search; Use YouTube safe search system; Use in-built safety functions on computer devices; Activate safety mode on smartphones; Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Car accidents are one of Georgia's leading causes of death and injuries. In order to raise awareness on road safety issues, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, launch a joint campaign “Better and safer roads for Georgia”. Together with European Investment Bank - South Caucasus, European Union is supporting this campaign to help reduce road accidents and improve road safety in Georgia. More info… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations, wish to comment once again on the extremely serious health condition of the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. We call on the court to take into account the conclusions of specialists in the field and to make a decision in accordance with human rights standards as soon as possible. We also call on the international community to use all the means at their disposal to prevent irreparable damage to human life and health and the political collapse of the Georgian state. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On February 6, with the support of the European Union in Georgia, UNICEF in partnership with "Prevention for Progress" organization, a multidisciplinary meeting was held on issues related to children under the age of criminal responsibility (under 14) and "difficult behavior". Specifics, practices and challenges of inter-agency work were discussed at the meeting. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia support Parliamentary Democracy in Georgia and assist in its institutional development. “On 4 February, the parliament staff discussed a unified standard of institutional policy planning, monitoring and reporting. Theoretical and practical training will assist the parliament staff in better managing the entire cycle of institutional policy: analyse a specific sector, determine strategic policy directions, develop an action plan, engage stakeholders and, finally, effectively communicate results to the public”. Read more… https://www.facebook.com/UNDPGeorgia/posts/561937849305769  Source: The organization’s page on the social network Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Tbilisi. On February 1-3, a series of workshops were held with the Ministry of Finance of Georgia, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia, the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council, the Public Defender's Office of Georgia and the Parliamentary Budget Office to develop the gender index of the state budget. The index will annually assess the extent to which the needs of women and men are taken into account during budget policy planning. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Mtskheta-Mtianeti. The US Embassy in Georgia is happy to support the American Shelf in the village of Odzisi. “The Shelf offers free resources and opportunities to participate in numerous events.  Books, clubs on various topics, development opportunities, invited guests, and discussions on interesting topics, and many more awaits you at the American Shelf in Odzisi Public School.  We thank our partners in the local government, Odzisi Public School leadership and educators, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub, for helping us make this project a reality”. Read more… Source: The US Embassy’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. EU awarded the winners of the EU Prize for Journalism 2022. Meet them and read their entries: Nino Narimanishvili, JAMnews, in the category of Best story in print or online media Ani Arveladze, “Droeba” Formula TV, in the category of Best feature story in broadcast or online media Nino Ramishvili, Studio Monitor, Best investigative story/Feature in print, online, or broadcast media Besik Papaskua, Indigo, in the category of Best blog, opinion or column in print or online media Kristine Gogaladze, Indigo, in the category of Best Student Work in print, online or broadcast media Lela Kunchulia, Radio Liberty, in the category of EUMM special prize for peace journalism Tornike Metreveli, Indigo, in the category of most innovative and original piece of work in print, broadcast or online media Dina Oganova, Project 64, in the category of best documentary photo reflecting EU values Read more… Source: eu4georgia.eu

Samegrelo. Within the framework of the Child-friendly Cities Initiative, UNICEF supports Poti city hall to transform Poti in a child-friendly city. On February 2, UNICEF Representative Ghassan Khalil visited the city of Poti and held meetings with the representatives of City Hall, Municipality, educational institutions, children and civil society. Children's rights were discussed at the meetings, as well as the steps that Poti could take to become a more child-friendly city. Learn more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to Transparency International's 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Georgia has a score of 56 points, which is a one point increase compared to the previous year. In the past, the country had 56 points 3 times: in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Georgia ranks 41st among 180 countries included in the ranking. A one-point change in CPI is considered statistically insignificant. In the case of Georgia, the score has not improved significantly since 2012 (see graph below), which means that the country has not taken effective steps against corruption in the last 10 years. Georgia's result in the ranking is mainly due to the low level of petty corruption, however, at the same time, elite corruption and the lack of political will to fight it remain a challenge. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The European Commission has published its analytical reports on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s alignment with the EU acquis. These reports complement our 2022 opinion the the countries’ EU membership applications, provide the state of play and offer guidance on the work ahead. More information… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

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 CENN February is Zero Hunger month. “In the 2022 Global Hunger Index, Georgia ranks 22nd out of the 121 countries with sufficient data to calculate 2022 GHI scores. With a score of 5.7, Georgia has a level of hunger that is low… One of the primary goals of the global community, including Georgia, is to create a world that is free of hunger by 2030. You can be part of solving this problem by supporting local, safe and healthy production. Download the calendar and follow the monthly tips… Join us on Instagram and participate in our fun monthly quizzes”… Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. MAC Georgia’s premier SHUKI MOVIDA SPEAKS was held on January 31st. Over approximately an hour and a half, the audience listened as five speakers shared their personal and heartfelt stories. The event was attended by more than 300 people… MAC Georgia would like to express its deepest gratitude to the exceptional speakers of Shuki Movida, to each of the attendees, and to all those whose efforts made this beautiful event possible. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. From January 25-28, 2023, events celebrating the First Republic of Georgia took place in France, initiated by IDFI in partnership with the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia and the Embassy of Georgia in France. During the event, an external meeting was held in Levil where the delegation participated in an official event at the Levil City Hall and met with the Mayor. Afterwards, they toured Levili's chateau, manor, and the cemetery of Levili's Georgian ancestors. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge