On December 9 the fund “Sukhumi” organized round table in conference hall of Kutaisi University on: “Cooperation between NGO sector and local government in the issues of domestic violence prevention and protection of victim”.

The event was attended by representatives of local self-government of 9 municipalities of Western Georgia – Kutaiai, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Poti, Zugdidi, Khobi, Ozurgeti, Batumi. Representatives of partner organizations, media, members of GACs of Kutaisi, Senaki, Ozurgeti, Batumi. They spoke about the experience in their municipalities in the field of victim protection, also about law protective aspects. During the discussion there were given recommendations, that it is necessary to continue collaboration between NGO sector and local self-government in order to reach effective results in violence prevention.

The round table was final activity of the fund “Sukhumi” in frames of the campaign of “16 active days against gender violence”.

The women initiative group gathered in the Fund "Sukhumi". The moderator of the group spoke about the results in terms of advocacy and the challenges they face.

- It is impossible to timely solve problems without activism and inclusion of citizens. Unfortunately, the majority thinks that everything should be done by the government, and does not realize its responsibility, - participants noted.

In their opinion, the role of NGOs is especially important - response to calls of specific people occurs to a lesser extent, and advocacy on behalf of the Fund "Sukhumi" gives effective results.

The initiative group believes that communication with the society and its information should continue.

On June 14, in the conference hall of Khoni Saskrebulo, there was held ordinary meeting of advisors’ council in frames of the project “Inclusion of NGOs, working on the issues of social security in strategic dialogue of Georgia”. Council members discussed the issue of social service in the municipality and the issues, regarding the research of needs.

Project Manager familiarized the participants with the concept of the study and with the specific of selection of target groups. It was said that the well-defined criteria - the guarantor of the success of the research objectives.

It was agreed - a place and time, included social groups and decision-makers also the best place for focus groups.

It was expressed a hope that the information gained a s a result of the research will be a good platform for the involvement of local policies of social inclusion.

The project is funded by the European Union and carries out the Czech organization "People in Need» (PIN). The partner of the project in Khoni is the Fund "Sukhumi".

Ozurgeti Gender Advisory Council (GAC) begins to study gender needs. There were chosen target group for the inquiry as well as the respondents for the in=depth interview.

GAC members covered the groups whose needs are less reflected in the budget.

The inquiries  will be conducted with socially unprotected women, young people, ethnic minorities and women, engaged in small business. During the focus groups there will be fixed needs of IDPs, teachers, health workers, single mothers and mothers with many children. It was also decided to hold a focus group with community leaders to identify more problems. There will be selected experts in health, education, agriculture sphere and people with disabilities.

During two days, in the office of the fund “Sukhumi” there were guests from Germany – representatives of the fund “Filia”.

On October 25 the members of the youth council of “Filia” met the actors of the forum-theatre. They shared impressions, familiarized with the specifics of the work of forum-theatre. Young people easily found common language.

On the second day there was held a meeting attended by representatives of Fund "Sukhumi" and Zugdidi women's organization "Mercury". They talked about the results, achievements, challenges. There were outlined prospects for future cooperation.

On February 2, representatives of the Swedish women's organization Kvinna till Kvinna visited the Fund "Sukhumi": Elisabed Brandberg (regional manager for the South Caucasus) and Joanna Arkasen (field representative in Georgia.

The guests listened to the information on the fund's work and the results achieved. At the end of the meeting, they expressed their impressions.

Elisabed Brandberg: "It is very interesting for me to get acquainted with your activities. It is important that you try to protect the rights of women in all directions. You try to remind the authorities of their obligations towards the society. "

Joanna Arkasen: "For the second time I come to the Fund" Sukhumi ". I know and enjoy your activity. Peacekeeping is difficult, but very necessary. You can clearly see what you are doing to support women. Your work is interesting. "

Kvinna till Kvinna has been supporting the fund “Sukhumi” since 2002, which enables systematic work in the peacekeeping area.

The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,

 women’s Foundation (Sweden)