Experience of CSOs in Kvemo Kartli
We
have interviewed the Chairman of the Board of the Georgian Association of
Educational Initiatives (SIQA) Giorgi Tvaliashvili about the problems and
supporting factors of NGOs operating in Kvemo Kartli.
Interviewed by Mariam Patatishvili
April, 2013
As the NGO operating in the Kvemo Kartli
Region, how would you assess the involvement of organizations functioning in
this region in the current civil society development processes? How active are the regional organizations today?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – I believe Kvemo Kartli is not distinguished by large degree of
activity at this stage unfortunately. Over the years that the development of
civil society is discussed and NGOs operate actively in various regions,
Kvemo Kartli is one of the passive regions. For instance, three-four strong
organizations may be identified in Rustavi, which implement number of projects.
Majority of organizations is set up for some concrete project and they usually
terminate activities upon completion of these projects.
What can be
the reason behind this? What is the problem?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – Closeness to Tbilisi is good on one hand, but bad on the other. It
is difficult to struggle with the vast geographic area. The fact that Kvemo Kartli
is a rather huge region of geographically difficult location may be another
reason. This may as well complicate the activities to a certain extent.
What are the
key areas that the regional NGOs work on? Do the implemented projects solve the
existing problems in reality? Which sector should be activated in the region?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – Because Kvemo Kartli is an ethnically diverse region, most NGOs work
with the ethnic minorities, however, there are number of organizations working
on education, such as the development of entrepreneurial competences, business
skills, information education. It would be great to develop democracy-oriented
work in the region, which will subsequently result in the development of the
civil society and have impact on the third sector, as well as on the NGO
development, which returns back to the society positively, like a boomerang.
What are the
main problems that the regional CSOs face during the project implementation
process? Are these obstacles different by the fields of operation?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – Our experience demonstrates that one of the most acute problems is
that there is no communication among the organizations, as well as the donors
and the organizations. To a certain extent, the activities often overlap, and
one organization does what the other one is doing. This may be because they are
not aware of each other's activities, or they are aware but it is easy to
follow the path of others.
Are the NGOs
experienced in cooperating with the local self-government? Do they provide
support?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – NGOs are motivated to do something, and the self-government also
expresses the desire. Yet, we have not witnessed full cooperation. There are
more activities in the youth sector as more initiatives are coming from the
youngsters. The school-based civic education clubs functioning over almost
entire Kvemo Kartli actively cooperate with the self-government. This can also
be attributed to the NGO sector, as the clubs are set up within the project
framework. The project provides for the clubs' cooperation with the
self-government and the solution of existing problems through joint
partnership. Further, now is the transitional environment and there is no
sustainability. Implementation of projects is under question.
Does the
civil sector in regions experience the problem of receiving funding? Do the
business representatives take interest in the projects implemented by the CSOs?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – There is a joint, partnership-based cooperation with several
companies. Business has the funding role and it aims as to promote the activity
and contribute to the civil development, as well as to popularize the business.
SIQA has a quite wide experience in this respect.
As for fund-raising, the problem in general
exists. Many grant announcements do not cover KvemoKartli, and there are
extremely few especially in case of Rustavi. Often the remote regions are a
priority and for some reason KvemoKartli is paid less attention.
How actively
are the residents of the regions involved in the civil-public activities? What
is the level of awareness among the population?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – Our organization is very experienced in this regard. When from
years to years the organization does not have any concrete donor, it can be
said that the organization works under the model similar to a social
enterprise. The organization pursues economic activities and the revenues
generated from such activities are spent on the sustainability and
strengthening of the organization. The population is interested in the product
that the organization offers as trainings or other services. This is a kind of
contribution for strengthening the organization.
As for the level of awareness, in respect of
organizations on the 10-point scale I would evaluate the level of the
population's awareness by 6-7 points. It is not high but I would say it is not
low either.
How do the citizens perceive the function
of NGOs and do the regional NGOs take into account the interests and problems
of the citizens to the full extent?
Giorgi
Tvaliashvili – Solution
of social problems in the region is the top priority, but the NGOs operating in
Kvemo Kartli are rather passive. Very few organizations are focused on social
problems. The population perceives NGOs mainly as the service-providers and
assistants. They address them to receive and use the information, knowledge and
service about issues of interest to them.
