Training with mobilizers of Women Support Centers was held in Kutaisi, in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi". The format of the work included the development of a strategy for the work of the centers.

- Supporting women, monitoring cases of domestic violence, identifying problems and advocacy - the participants discussed what innovations can be introduced, how to increase productivity in this area so that as many women as possible can use existing services.

According to the participants, an important innovation in the activities of Women Support Centers will be the support for civil initiatives and advocacy for community problems. The involvement of a psychologist and a lawyer will help prevent violence and increase the effectiveness of victim assistance

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The monitoring group of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” works on a new research aimed at studying the effectiveness of existing services for victims of violence against women/domestic violence and developing recommendations to identify strategies and new approaches to improve effectiveness.

Information on existing (and/or planned) services has been collected. In order to find best practices, we studied the work of service providers, studied the attitudes, moods and expectations of service recipients/beneficiaries.

In September, 10 in-depth interviews with beneficiaries were conducted, which allowed us to study the current situation in this regard based on specific cases.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Women Fund “Sukhumi” successfully implemented the training course "Conflict Management and Violence Prevention" in 10 target municipalities of Western Georgia for 6 months. The project introduced young people to issues of equality, tolerance, peaceful ways of conflict resolution and violence prevention.

The sixth month was devoted to summing up the results. Young leaders demonstrated positive changes through presentations:

- I felt most comfortable in this environment. I listened to them, they listened to me, and my confidence grew;

- I overcame my complexes;

- I advise my peers to get informal education, which will help to increase civic responsibility and achieve success;

- We learned how to make society empathetic regarding the problems of violence and conflicts.

The final events were held in Tsalenjikha, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Samtredia, Vani municipalities, and will be continued in other municipalities.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

On June 28, 2024, the representative of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi" Tbilisi office participated in an international conference organized by the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia. The conference focused on "Strengthening the Participation of Women in Peace and Security Processes." The event was opened by Mr. Alexander Vinikov, Head of the NATO Liaison Office, and Mrs. Marie-Doha Besancenot, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (remotely). Discussions covered topics such as "The  Women’s Roles in Building and Sustaining Peace: International Best Practices and Local Experiences” and "Implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security: Progress and Challenges in Women’s Participation."

The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring reports from representatives of women’s non-governmental organizations in the South Caucasus, including Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi office of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi." During the discussion, the speakers addressed the current challenges faced by peacebuilders in the South Caucasus and explored strategies to enhance the fulfillment of obligations related to the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda.

An informational meeting on the issues of advocacy and civic engagement was held in Kutaisi, 21 Nikea Street.

Marika Papava, a member of the initiative group who has completed training at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”, tries to discuss problems in her community and use all levers to solve them.

The main problems in the IDP community are: a malfunctioning drainage system, a flooded basement, and a damaged facade.

The initiative group has prepared a letter that will be sent to the relevant departments. After the response, it is necessary to solve the problems that threaten the health of the population.

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

In the framework of the project “IDP Women and Girls – Participants of the Needs Based Local Policy Development of in Kutaisi”, information meetings on forms of civic engagement in IDP communities continue.

Project participant Ekaterine Silagadze shared the gained knowledge with IDPs living in a house on 21 Zakariadze Street.

The main problem of the settlement is the damaged façade. The need to install benches was also emphasized. In order to solve the problems, the initiative group will prepare a letter and contact the relevant local government services for response.

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

An informational meeting with IDP women and girls was held in the library of the educational center of Khoni community. The participants were provided with information about the guide "Prevention and response to gender-based violence in war and post-war conditions - experience and recommendations of women’s NGOs".  (Publisher - European Women's Network against Violence - WAVE).

The guidebook shows the successful practice of women's organizations during the war and in the post-war period. Particular attention was paid to the practice of the Women Fund "Sukhumi".

The participants of the meeting were familiarized with the training module on this topic, within the framework of which trainings are held and the society is informed about the best practices and strategies of women's organizations.

The meeting was held within the framework of the project "Organization of campaigns in society and social networks to form the importance of the CSOs work".

The project is implemented with the support of the Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights

Five municipalities: Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Zugdidi and Senaki participate in the project “Network of Women and Young Women Peace Ambassadors”. Civil initiatives were discussed in these municipalities and 12 applications were submitted within the framework of the project.

A discussion of civil initiatives was held in the office of the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. The commission selected the initiatives that will be financed within the framework of the project. At the next stage, women's civil initiative groups will begin implementing their initiatives in all five municipalities.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

Psychologist Ekaterine Kvachakidze talks about the work carried out in August:

I held group and individual meetings in Women Support Centers of Koki (Zugdidi Municipality), Tskaltubo, Khobi, Vani and Terjola. The topic of the meeting was again summer, because during hot days the mind is focused on rest.

The women talked about the problems that prevent them from relaxing with their family members. For the others, this has become an incredible luxury. Most of them, instead of relaxing, worked with children on nut plantations. During the conversation, the children mentioned that they were looking forward to the nut-picking season to earn money.

The women already think about September, the beginning of school, which is associated with buying clothes for children and school supplies. This is what summer holidays are like for rural women.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

A two-month full basic course in nail care has been completed at the Women Fund “Sukhumi”. The participants were awarded certificates. The main goal of the training is a real prospect of economic empowerment for women by mastering a new profession.

Despite the fact that the Day Rehabilitation Center has experience in such training, the master class of the Ukrainian trainer was still the best exception. The graduates noted:

"I have studied nail care methods before, but nothing compares to the quality that I saw from you."

"The international teacher certificate determined that we learned a new profession at the scientific level."

"Thanks to Women Fund - you are the best!"