Tbilisi. With the legal assistance of "Rights Georgia", a citizen of the Syrian Arab Republic won the court dispute regarding the issuance of a study residence permit in the Supreme Court of Georgia. Read more... Source: rights.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the “Women's Economic Empowerment” project, participating women completed the training course “How to Start and Develop a Business” which was conducted by qualified trainers of BDO Academy. “As a result of the training course, women learned how to transform an idea into a business plan, financial and tax issues, branding and marketing, sales techniques and more. The project is implemented by Taso Foundation with the support of the UN Women and the Government of Norway”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On May 30, 2022, OECD published a pilot report on the assessment of the corruption environment in Georgia. "Even though the report does not include information about the scores received by Georgia and the ratings of fulfillment of indicators in each performance area, based on the descriptive part of the monitoring report it can be said that almost all the thirteen areas are characterized by a low level of performance". Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On July 4- 6 2022, EU Cyber Direct in cooperation with GCSD, conducted a three-day event “Building A Common Future While Managing Cyber Crises/Cyber Consultations with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.” The event aimed to better understand the security environment across the region, identify common interests and opportunities for cooperation in strengthening cyber resilience at national and regional levels. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the TI Georgia’s new survey, financial inequality between political parties and ineffective state oversight of political corruption remain major problems in Georgia. “Both in terms of total revenues and expenditures (up to GEL 40 million each), the ruling party's finances were almost twice as high as the other 16 parties combined, indicating an extremely unequal distribution of finances between the parties, which is a traditional problem of Georgian politics. Revenues received by political parties: 17 political parties received a total of GEL 43 million of revenues in 2021. The ruling party - Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia got 60% - about GEL 26 million of this amount. The United National Movement was second with GEL 5.1 million and Lelo for Georgia was third with GEL 3.3 million; Expenditures of political parties: 17 political parties spent a total of GEL 41.9 million in 2021, of which 62% - GEL 25.8 million was spent by the Georgian Dream party. The United National Movement was second with GEL 5.1 million, and Lelo for Georgia was third with GEL 3.3; The alleged cases of political corruption or other types of violations: In 2021, the companies connected with the donors of the ruling party had won public tenders worth about GEL 320 million and simplified public procurement contracts of GEL 19 million. During the same period, the donors directly or indirectly affiliated with these companies contributed over GEL 4.5 million for the benefit of the Georgian Dream, is noted in the survey. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Kakheti. The new educational and energy efficiency centre at Kabali’s public school helps schoolchildren, teachers and parents understand how renewable energy works. It showcases amazing everyday solutions, like mini solar panels, energy-efficient ovens, wind power generators and biogas digesters. “Over 200 village residents already attended information sessions and training courses. The centre engages twenty local schoolchildren who offer educational tours to their peers and tell them about the advantages of renewable energy. This green educational project was rolled out by the Lagodekhi Local Action Group (LAG) with European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia support under #ENPARD, the EU-funded programme for rural development. Educational activities are organised in partnership with the non-governmental organization “Energy Efficiency Centre”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. At the request of locals, an interdepartmental commission established by the Decree of the Government of Georgia is examining events that transpired in Itkhvisi in March 2022, three months after geodynamic processes damaged residents’ homes in the area. The absence of an independent expert and a local representative in the commission's composition creates mistrust among Itkhvisi’s residents. Doubts are exacerbated by the fact that people are unaware of the commission's methodological approach. Furthermore, before the completion of the commission's work, officials of the local government offered insufficient and legally ambiguous compensation to affected families. The local population requests more information about the commission's work and asks the involved state authorities to ensure the commission's operations are transparent by making its protocols, plans, and deadlines public. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. On June 30, 2022, a webinar was held as part of “DRIVE: Digital Research and Impact for Vulnerable E-citizens”, a joint project of the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the eGovernance Academy (eGA). The training was based on the report on digital vulnerability published in May, intended for civil society organizations. It covered the stages of civic engagement, tools for collaboration between stakeholders, and effective communication issues. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Social Justice Center publishes a survey: Electronic System of Case Distribution in Courts. “The present document is the third monitoring report. It critically analyzes legislative changes introduced in the rule on electronic system of case distribution, updated statistics, and the remaining challenges concerning the system from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021. The report also reviews the shortcomings of the electronic case distribution that were identified during previous reporting periods but no further steps were taken to eliminate them”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. Tranpsarency International Georgia publishes the blogpost: Who Runs Georgia Irakli Garibashvili - Prime Minister with an Informal Master. “Who Runs Georgia is a new series of publications aimed at highlighting the allegations of corruption against the country’s ruling elite”. 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. UNA Georgia's Media Platform Civil.ge celebrates its 21st anniversary. “Civil Georgia is a Tbilisi-based free daily news website, operated in three languages (English, Russian, Georgian), which UNA Georgia created with the purpose of filling the gap of trust in Georgia’s divided, politically biased media. During the last 21 years of its uninterrupted service, Civil.ge continues to serve this unique purpose. UNAG launched Civil Georgia (www.civil.ge) in 2001, which soon succeeded in becoming one of the very few sources of information that enjoy unreserved trust by local and international readers in Georgia. With over 1,250,000 unique users from all corners of the globe in 2022, Civil.ge reaches out to the policy and academic communities in Georgia, as well as in Europe and the U.S., to officials working in EU and international organizations, as well as Tbilisi-based foreign diplomatic corps”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the GDI, exactly one year since the July 5, 2021 violence, the ECHR has started communicating the application submitted by the GDI: “Tbilisi Pride” and others v. Georgia”. The Court considers that the application may become an impact case. “The case concerns the events of July 5, 2021 - homophobic violence, attack and threats against the LGBTQI+ community and activists. Arguing that the Georgian authorities did not act and their response was ineffective, the applicants have requested the European Court find the violation of Article 3 (No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment), Article 11 (freedom of assembly), Article 13 (Right to an effective remedy) and Article 14 (enjoyment of the rights and freedoms without discrimination) of the European Convention of Human Rights. The Court has communicated the application regarding each article to the parties. This means that the Georgian authorities must submit their response before October 13, 2022 to all questions asked by the Court. Among those, the Court asks: Did the authorities’ statements made in respect of the pride march exacerbate the violence which erupted on 5 July 2021? Did the state meet its obligation to prevent and effectively investigate violence? The Court has accepted the GDI’s motion and has invited the Government to provide copies of the relevant internal documents concerning the planning of the security arrangements undertaken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in advance of the impugned events. Significantly, the trials at the Tbilisi City Court ended a year after the July 5 events. However, no organizer of the violence has been punished, and those who were found guilty received minimal penalties. GDI is the legal representative of Tbilisi Pride and LGBTQI+ activists at the European Court”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: gdi.ge

Tbilisi. On July 1, 2022, IDFI held an online presentation of the regional results of the Global Data Barometer (#GDB). An online event aimed at sharing the key findings, obstacles, and recommendations for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region based on thematic modules of the Global Data Barometer. Learn more... Source: idfi.ge

Adjara. On July 3, a meeting with media representatives was held in Batumi on the immunization program and its importance, as well as the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. According to the information of the Rights Georgia, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber delivers three arrest warrants. “30 June 2022, Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (‘ICC’ or ‘Court’) issued the public redacted versions of arrest warrants for three individuals in the context of the situation in Georgia: Mr Mikhail Mayramovich Mindzaev, Mr Gamlet Guchmazov and Mr David Georgiyevich Sanakoev”. Read more… Source: www.icc-cpi.int

Tbilisi. On June 28, 2022, the ninth meeting of the Georgia-EU civil society platform was held at the Rondeli Foundation. The platform was established in accordance with Article 412 of the Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union. The purpose is to monitor the agreement and develop and deliver recommendations to the highest level institutions of cooperation between the European Union and Georgia, governments, parliaments. A joint statement was adopted at the meeting. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Civil Society Organizations have elaborated an Action Plan which could be easily implemented till the end of 2022, provided political will is present. The Action Plan contains an absolute minimum of critically important reforms, essential for granting the Candidacy status. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. The “Home to Europe” Movement expresses grave concern over the obstructive and violent incidents occurring during meetings held by our members and supporters with the population in the regions. “We call on the ruling party to put an end to counterproductive provocations that damage the country's reputation. The “Home to Europe” Movement clearly states that it is committed only to peaceful forms of assembly and calls on law enforcement to ensure freedom of peaceful assembly and to prevent further provocations and confrontations. Despite the attempts to interfere and impede our activities, our movement is only emboldened and motivated to continue pursuing its mission. We are also reassured that we are doing the right thing, which we will follow through in a consistent and planned manner”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Imereti. Within the framework of the project "Civil Society STAR Initiative", LDA Georgia conducted training on the importance, role, stages, methods and specifics of advocacy for the members of CSOs and active citizens in the target municipalities. The trainings are being conducted 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

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia has analyzed the official data related to privatization of the state-owned real estate by the central government in 2013-2021 and found that the process of privatization contains significant corruption risks. Extremely low competition, lack of transparency, absence of integrity mechanisms and inadequate response to alleged violations – these are the key challenges that create corruption risks in the process of privatization. “In Georgia, a significant part of land resources is still owned by the state. With the current rate of privatization, the process is expected to last for many more years. Given the above-mentioned challenges and the fact that there are no high-level corruption prevention mechanisms in the country, there is a high probability that the state property will be disposed of in favor of private interests of specific individuals, at the expense of state and public interests, a number of alleged examples of which are provided in this study”. Read more… Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the IDFI the attacks on the informational meetings of the organizers and supporters of the July 3 rally are clearly coordinated and contain signs of a crime under the Criminal Code of Georgia. IDFI calls on: The Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the peaceful conduct of the public campaigns of the organizers and supporters of the July 3 rally. The Ministry should take preventive and follow-up measures provided by law in order to prevent the aggravation of the background of the July 3 rally and the encouragement of violence. The Special Investigation Service to immediately launch an investigation of the crime under Article 153 of the Criminal Code. Read more…  Source: idfi.ge