Samtskhe-Javakheti. Civil Society Regional Forum held in Akhaltsikhe, at Samtskhe-Javakheti State University. The goals of the regional forum are to demonstrate the activities of local CSOs and to promote volunteerism. Lika Kiladze, Chairperson of Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), Temur Jaliashvili, the representative of the project ”Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” and Maka Beridze, the Rector of Samtskhe-Javakheti State University delivered speeches during the forum.

Up to twenty local CSOs participated in the forum. Their focuses are ethnic minorities, supporting formal and informal education, empowerment of persons with special needs. They also work on gender-related issues and support small businesses. During the event, guests were provided with the opportunity to become familiar with the activities local CSOs are involved in.

The participants got introduced with the bilateral volunteerism platform “Time Bank". They were able to choose the activity considering their interests and skills and voluntarily participate in it.

Speakers of the forum Lado Apkhazava, the winner of Teacher's National Award and writer Tatuli Gvinianidze discussed the importance of volunteerism.

The forum is organized in the frame of the project  ”Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative”. The project was developed and is implemented by the consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in cooperation with four Georgian Civil Society Organizations: Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC). The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung