Guria. On January 25, Guria Regional HUB hosted the awarding ceremony of the media competition winners. The competition aimed to promote the works of the regional CSOs and civic activists. The winners are: Journalists - Tamta Dolidze (Guria TV), Giorgi Girkelidze and Marina Chikhladze (Guria News) The media competition was organised within the framework of the EU and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Sheaghe is designed to place information about rehabilitation and support services into the hands of thousands of parents, care providers, and persons with disabilities. It’s a free online database that allows people to search for services in and around their community, city, or region in Georgia. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. A memorandum of understanding was signed, on the one hand, between the Local Democracy Agency Georgia (LDA Georgia) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) and, on the other hand, the City Hall of Baghdati Municipality. “The purpose of the memorandum of understanding is to strengthen the Youth Council in Baghdati Municipality, to increase cooperation about youth issues, to develop and implement an effective mechanism for communication with local and international organizations and local youth”. The meeting was organized by LDA Georgia within the “Civil Society STAR Initiative” project funded by the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS). The project is implemented by the Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and composed of the following CSOs: Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), and Institute for European Politics (IEP). Read more… Source: The organizations

Tbilisi. UN Women Georgia publishes the publication that was prepared in the framework of the UN Women project “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia” supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The publication shows that women are under-represented in decision-making positions in the parliament, executive government, civil service, and local government. Read more… Source: georgia.unwomen.org

Tbilisi. The study of the case revealed that JSC Liberty Bank does not take into account the different socio-economic situations of persons using social loans when determining the loan interest rates, which puts these individuals in an unjustifiably unfavorable position. Taking into account the above and the principle of equality, the Public Defender called on the relevant agencies to take specific steps to reduce the amount of interest rates of the social loans. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. According to Transparency International's 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Georgia has a score of 55 points, which is a one point decrease compared to the previous year. Read more... Source: transparency.ge

Tbilisi. According to the information of the UNDP Georgia on 24 January, women councillors got together at their annual forum to discuss the next steps to bringing women’s perspectives to local politics. Read more… Source: www.ge.undp.org

Tbilisi. According to the information of the IDFI the scientists of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) will study the graves of the repressed people during the Mass Terror in Adjara. “For the next two weeks, the team, which includes 4 archaeologists and 2 anthropologists, will carry out the work of exhuming and examining the remains from the graves of the repressed people during the Mass Terror 1937-1938 in Adjara”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On December 21, 2021, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed Shukruti+ Ltd with a recommendation to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of dissenting opinion in labour relations. “According to the factual circumstances, the company fired a miner, who spoke to the company's administration about problems in the workspace, including non-compliance with safety standards. According to the miner, he was fired for expressing his views and dissatisfaction, while the respondent (Shukruti+ Ltd) could not provide arguments proving that the reason for the applicant's dismissal was not his views on safety at work. In view of the above, the Public Defender called on the respondent to eliminate the consequences of discrimination against the applicant, in particular, to reinstate him in the same or equivalent position…” Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Adjara. In December 2021, Adjara Regional HUB visited three villages of Khulo, Shuakhevi and Khelvachauri municipalities. At the meetings, the audience discussed the possibilities of tourism and rural development. For detailed info, please visit… Adjara Regional HUB is created and runs the activities within the framework of the EU and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project 'Civil Society STAR Initiative'. Source: The project page on the social network

Tbilisi. The Social Justice Center has prepared a study – Labour Inspection Service Assessment 2021. “The purpose of this study is analyzing the effectiveness of the Labor Inspection Service in the wake of the increased mandate and institutional strengthening as a result of the labor reform. This study, for the first time since its inception in 2015, will assess the performance of the Labor Inspection Service in order to identify existing challenges and measures that have to be taken for the improvement of the system. At the end of the study recommendations are presented to the relevant agencies, the implementation of which will help to improve the Labor Inspection system as well as to raise labor rights and safety standards in the country”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. The analytical document describes challenges and barriers in healthcare system that are experienced by women living in Marneuli municipality and highland Adjara. "You might feel pain but you do not pay attention because it costs a lot to see a doctor. We do not have a context where you go there in advance even if you have money. It is true that you have to take care of yourself first, but when you see a family behind you, [which] does not have enough resources ... you do not allow yourself to go and do medical examination on yourself unless it troubles you". (Respondent from Adjara) "The state generally does not invest resources in preventive care, it is so expensive that it remains inaccessible to the population ... State funding is [mainly] reserved for the most severe health problems". (Respondent from Marneuli municipality) "I can not afford [to buy medicine] because I have financial problems. Sometimes I am not able to buy my medicine on time, sometimes I can only buy half of it". (Respondent from Marneuli municipality) Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. On January 25-27, 2022, Nino Lomjaria, Public Defender of Georgia, will pay an official visit to Strasbourg, where she will hold high-level meetings. The Public Defender will provide information on the human rights situation of Georgia. The main focus will be on media environment, equality situation, judicial and other democratic processes. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Imereti. Last week, MAC Georgia's Theatre Festival’s Closing Ceremony for 2021 was held at the Zestafoni State Theatre. “Best Performance went to Zeda Simoneti Public School for "Waltz of Dr. Papadachi", directed by Zurab Abesadze”. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On January 17 and 19, Zurab Darchiashvili, Head of the Diplomatic Protocol Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia held two lectures on "Protocol and Etiquette" for the participants of the "National Security and Public Policy Program". Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. European Union is glad to be part of an appreciation event organised by World Vision Georgia for foster parents and social workers in Georgia. “Their work and commitment in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children is admirable, and we are proud to support them. Together with World Vision, we are working on child welfare and protection”. Find out more... Source: 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. Public Defender of Georgia publishes the conclusion N5 of group of specialists/experts set up by herself for Monitoring Mikheil Saakashvili’s Medical Condition. “For the treatment and full rehabilitation of the patient, the group of experts considers it necessary to provide: Psychotherapy - which is a first-line treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and is likely to help restore an adequate diet; Physical rehabilitation; MRT examination, recommended as additional examination; Neurological monitoring and electroneuromyographic examination in case of progression”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. At the request of PHR, when providing services to deaf and hard of hearing people, the doctor is obliged to use a transparent face mask. “The Ministry took our request into account and added a sub-paragraph to the decree on the rule of wearing a face mask. As a result, from now on, the educational and medical services provider must use a transparent face mask or face shield for the deaf and hard of hearing persons”. Read more… Source: phr.ge

Tbilisi. The signatory organizations support the protest of the IDPs living in the building of the sanatorium "Kartli" and mourn the grave tragedy that occurred on January 16 and call on the Georgian authorities to quickly act on ensuring the safe and dignified accommodation for the IDPs. “We believe that the state has neglected its obligation to protect the life and health of IDPs living in the dangerous environment, and the tragedy of January 16 is the result of a policy of inaction and mistrust”. Read more… Source: socialjustice.org.ge

Tbilisi. UNDP is presenting its global strategic plan focused on eradicating poverty and inequalities and helping countries achieve the #SDGs in a post-COVID19 era. Read more… Source: feature.undp.org