Tbilisi. On September 28, the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) hosted a meeting with the representatives of the Chatham House - Ľubica Polláková, Assistant Director at the Russia and Eurasia Programme, and Isabella Wilkinson, Research Associate at the International Security Programme at the Fukuyama Democracy Frontline Centre's office at Stamba Hotel. During the meeting, parties discussed Georgia’s strategy for dealing with Russian disinformation in the country, the scale of effort put in combating the disinformation campaigns, the government's position in the hybrid war waged by Russia against Georgia, and assessed significantly increased threats and challenges in the region caused by Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. 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 September 26, a study program planned in cooperation with the IDFI and the University of Georgia (UG) - "Disinformation and Propaganda Research: History, Theories and Means of Debunking" has been launched. The certificate and university degree program will offer students a two-semester short course on disinformation and propaganda research, history, its societal effects, and the means of debunking it. The study program is implemented with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Learn more...  Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On September 22, 2022, the Georgian Court Watch presented a study: Factors Contributing to Nepotism and Cronyism in the Judicial System.”  It is based on 30 in-depth interviews conducted by Georgian Court Watch with current and former judges, lawyers, experts, and academics. In addition, the organization analyzed the legislation and decisions of the High Council of Justice. The study states that judicial reforms in Georgia have created an illusion of progress; institutional and procedural guarantees were used as a facade, which allowed an influential group of judges to pursue their preferred personnel policy. Read more… Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF continues to support the psychological-social center for children who are victims of violence. The center was launched in March 2022 with the support of the Estonian Government and its goal is to conduct investigative activities in a child-friendly space and provide rehabilitation services to children who have been victims of sexual violence. On September 26, with the coordination of the inter-agency commission working on children's rights issues and in cooperation with the Georgian judicial authorities, a consultation meeting was held, the purpose of which was to review the current practice, discuss challenges and ways to solve them. Juvenile justice specialized judges and representatives of agencies involved in the operation of the center participated in the consultation meeting. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On September 24-26 the training in stress management was conducted for the staff of the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia with the support of Civil Rights Defenders. For three days the time spent in an informal and friendly environment helped them to acquire positive emotions, relax and equip with the relevant knowledge. It will enable each of them to continue such an important job called struggling against gender-based violence with new energy. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia held a meeting with the members of the Baghdati Youth Council. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the support program for youth initiatives developed for Baghdati municipality and reflect it in the next year's budget. Representatives of the Education, Culture and Sports Department of the City Hall attended the meeting together with the council members. The Baghdati Youth Council is being strengthened within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative," with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the information of the ISFED despite the expiration of the term established by the legislation, the election of the CEC chairperson and professional members has not taken place until now. The organization calls on the Parliament of Georgia to fulfil the requirements of the law and fill the vacancies in the CEC on time. Read more… Source: isfed.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of Ukrainians keep pushing across Oskil River, advancing near Lyman. An account of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine in the Special Issue 72 of the Rondeli Russian Military Digest. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

Adjara. Batumi City Mayor Archil Chikovani’s Facebook page materials are advertised by Gogi Putkaradze, the Head of the International Relations and Protocol Department of the Government of Adjara. Putkaradze also advertises public page posts of the Chairman of the Adjara Government Tornike Rijvadze. In Transparency International Georgia’s assessment, the involvement of the Adjara Government Administration’s representative in self-governance is an issue. The financing mechanism and sources for such activity are not transparent. In their official letters, the Administration of the Government of Adjara and the Batumi City Hall state that they did not spend money on the promotion of public officials on social media. Consequently, it raises questions regarding the original source of funds. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Imereti. Local Democracy Agency Georgia, within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative", provided consultations to representatives of civil society and community organizations in Terjola municipality. At the meeting: was presented the results of the research conducted by CSI, which related to the tax environment of the civil society organizations; was provided consultations on management issues of the organization in order to strengthen them; was given the information about the grant competitions announced in Imereti region Similar meetings will be held in the municipalities of Imereti region. The meetings are being organized by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR Initiative”, with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. 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...

NDI releases findings from its latest public opinion poll. We survey public opinion to help Georgian stakeholders diagnose and address issues of public concern by providing accurate, unbiased and statistically sound data. This poll aims to capture the most relevant information to foster the development of responsive policies and governance. The new report looks at a nationwide survey conducted between July 14 - August 15, through face-to-face interviews with a nationwide representative sample of Georgia’s adult population, excluding the occupied territories. survey Source: NDI

Tbilisi. Is your business interested to meet Georgian social enterprises from all over Georgia, to see their products and services in one space? Join the B2B exhibition organised by CSRDG within the EU project on 30 September. Business representatives will have the opportunity to meet 50 social enterprises with diverse profiles, discuss future collaboration and develop responsible procurement practices. Find out more in the video. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti-Imereti. Solar-power electric fences and flashes (Foxlight) were installed in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Over 10 shepherds and beekeepers will use this technology to prevent wolves, brown bears and lynxes from attacking their crops and livestock, at the same time keeping these unique species safe and alive. The initiative is part of the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) that has been supporting Georgia for over a decade in biodiversity conservation, promotion of renewable energy and the involvement of local communities in environmental activities. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. The EU granted the winner city of Zugdidi up to €300,000 to implement its Cultural Development Strategy within the EU4Culture project grants call. Zugdidi’s 5-year cultural development strategy outlines the city’s overarching and transversal cultural themes and priorities, drawing upon objectives, possibilities, and perspectives for 2022 to 2026. The city has outlined three main strategic themes and ambitions that position Zugdidi as a City of Cultural Heritage Innovation, a Creative City of Arts and Crafts and a Creative City of Gastronomy. Read more…  Source: eu4georgia.eu

Tbilisi. IDFI provides legal assistance to “Business Media Georgia” (BMG) journalist, Telara Gelantia in the case of establishing possible discriminatory act of the Government of Georgia against her. Such an unequal treatment of the journalist by the Government of Georgia is another manifestation of the negative attitude towards the media, which has been particularly noticeable on the part of the government officials in the last few years. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On September 19, Child Rights Week has been launched in Akhaltsikhe with the public lecture of UNICEF Representative Ghassan Khalil. Within the Child Rights Week being hosted in Samtskhe-Javakheti region, UNICEF will organize several events promoting children's rights. The invited ambassadors, as well as the representatives of 16 countries and international organizations, will participate in a number of events, meet a wide range of participants and engage in discussions with local young people, educators, medical professionals and religious leaders. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. A total of 36 young social entrepreneurs living in the border regions of Armenia and Georgia had the opportunity to improve their business practices. Read more… Source: The organization’s page

Tbilisi. USAID, UNICEF, Media Development Foundation, and DemocracyLab trained 600 young people and 200 teachers to identify disinformation about COVID-19 and spread the word to their friends. Throughout the campaign, which closed this week, 70,000 young people got the information they needed to spot and debunk disinformation. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On September 16-18, a joint meeting for community workers was held, organized by “Taso Foundation”. The meeting was held within the framework of the second phase of the project "Economic Empowerment of Women through Social Mobilization and Capacity Building". The project is implemented in partnership with the UN Women Georgia, Kakheti Regional Development Fund (KRDF), and CARE Caucasus. The Project is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Georgia and Austrian Development Agency. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network