Samtskhe-javakheti. On May 19, a presentation of a new large scale project of the European Union - ''Civil Society Development Initiative'' was conducted in Akhaltsikhe. The purpose of the ''Civil Society Development Initiative" project is to improve civil society environment, strengthen civil society organizations and increase their accountability towards citizens. The event was attended by representatives of public, i.e. non-governmental organizations of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, persons interested in the subject issue.

The project is funded by the European Union and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation of Germany. The project is implemented by a Consortium (Civil Society Institute - CSI, Center for Training and Consultancy - CTC, Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia - CSRDG, Kutaisi Education Development and Employment Center - KEDEC) under the supervision of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

A ceremony of signing main principles of civil society organizations has also been conducted. The document is a declaration elaborated on the basis of mutual agreement of up to 200 non-governmental, i.e. civil society organizations. About 100 organizations have already joined it.