Lack of benches and outdoor lighting; stray dogs; the only transport; cars moving at high speed - this is a short list of problems that worry IDPs living in the second residential building on 53 Shervashidze Street. This is what they mentioned at the meeting.

Rimma Kalandia is a representative of the IDP community. Together with members of Kutaisi Women Initiative Group, she attended training on advocacy issues and is now providing information to other members of the community. According to her, people should actively participate in solving their own problems. The Women Initiative Group is preparing a letter to Kutaisi City Hall.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

The meeting discussed issues that need to be resolved in the settlement: damaged garbage bins, faulty drainage system, lack of road barriers.

The information meeting was held with women living in the house No 2 of the first lane of Nikea Street, No. 13 - in Kutaisi. Lia Goletiani, a member of the initiative group and an active participant of the trainings, shares her experience with the residents of the settlement. The participants of the meeting note that they should actively participate in solving their own problems - this is a sign of civic responsibility.

The members of the initiative group have already started preparing statement and will send them to Kutaisi City Hall for subsequent response.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

A meeting with 10 women was held within the framework of the project “IDP Women and Girls - actors in developing local policies focused on Kutaisi needs” (Nikea Street, 1st Lane No. 13).

Liya Goletiani, a member of the Women Initiative Group, shared her experience in advocacy issues and called on the IDPs to increase their civic responsibility.

The participants of the meeting drew attention to the following needs: sports ground, roof painting and repair, repair of wooden chairs. Letters on the above mentioned issues are being prepared and will be submitted to Kutaisi Municipality City Hall on behalf of the initiative group.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

During the traditional meeting in July the members of Kutaisi Youth Club discussed the details of the project -"Youth for Peace". They shared their experiences within the project, discussed the achieved results, and ways to solve the problems and challenges within the frames of the project. The leader of the club introduced the members to the final results of the project. At the meeting, they also talked about the activities to be implemented in the future. Kutaisi Youth Club implemented the project "Youth for Peace" financed by USAID within the framework of a small grant competition in the period of May-June of the current year. The members of Kutaisi Women Initiative Group talked about the development of the advocacy plan. Rights, duties and responsibilities were distributed. Members of the group will hold information meetings and talk about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol.

 At the meeting held in July with the members of Khoni Youth Club, the participants talked about the completed project and challenges, as well as the achievements they faced during the implementation of the project. The meeting was hosted by Khoni public school N 3. The members of the first women initiative group discussed the problem selected for the advocacy process and distributed the rights and responsibilities. They will work in the direction of ecology and mental health. The members of the second women initiative group talked about the advocacy plan and distributed the rights, duties and responsibilities. The women will hold informational meetings and talk to young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

The members of the women initiative group of the village of Pakhulani - Tsalenjikha municipality talked about the resolution of the issues that were identified as a result of the research. They noted that the activities planned according to the advocacy plan are successfully implemented, which is important in the process of problem solution.

720 IDP families live in 4 new houses on 53 Shervashidze Street, Kutaisi (2 more buildings will be added in the near future).

Women talk about a dangerous open channel. The channel is dangerous for the population. Reptiles often appear. There was a case when a ball fell into a channel and it caused dangerous situation for the children. There are no protective dams round the channel, so it is easy to fall into it. During strong winds, the channel fills with garbage, and during heavy rains, water flows out of the channel.

Women are also concerned about speeding vehicles, which is why they are calling for a mandatory stop line at crossings.

Members of the initiative group, trained in advocacy, share their experiences with the people living there and encourage everyone to increase their civic responsibility.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

Nino Gorgodze is one of those young people who continue active meetings in their communities about forms of civic engagement and its necessity. The problem of internally displaced persons living on Nikea Street No. 21 is the damp walls of the building, which are more damaged during heavy rains and pose a threat to the health of people and the building itself. In order to solve the identified problem, the group members prepare a letter and meetings with the relevant departments are planned. The meetings are coordinated by an active member of the initiative group.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program

The members of Tskaltubo youth group started the meeting by evaluating project activities. The leaders presented the work done with the help of presentations and discussed the results. Especially the polarization of peaceful topics was identified. Against the background of high interest, they plan to continue working on these issues. Based on the advocacy plan, the Women Initiative Group will try to solve the identified problems with various activities. The participants have received specific tasks, which will become a guarantee of effective advocacy.

An information meeting was held in the IDP community of the Choma district, (3 Leselidze Street) Kutaisi. The community leader spoke about the forms of civic engagement and its importance in solving existing problems. The main problem of the community is damp walls. Women began the process of advocacy. A statement with signatures was prepared and submitted to Kutaisi City Hall for response.

The people participating in our project, who gained knowledge and skills, are now trying to mobilize and empower the women of the community to solve problems.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program