In Kutaisi Training Center of Tbilisi State University, within the framework of the project "Studying the experience of the Visegrad to advocate for equal, inclusive and democratic governance at the local level", a meeting was held with young people. At the meeting, interesting discussions took place on issues of gender policy, civic engagement. There were obvious positions on various issues - how young people see the way of life and prospects for the well-being of citizens of their own city, especially for young people. How much they are ready to take part in the implementation of changes - necessary in their opinion,.

The project is implemented with the support of the Visegrad Fund 

Mobilizres of WSCs met the representatives of local self-government in Sakrebulo, Gamgeoba and City Hall.

During the meeting representatives of local self-government learned about free services of the fund “Sukhumi” and the mobilizers got acquainted with the programs, existing on the places and innovations in the social plan.

Afterwards these information are spread on mobilization and informational – consultative meetings, in order to give the women and their families possibility to these programs in case of need.

A meeting with representatives of local self-government of Imereti region, local and international NGOs was organized by Fund “Sukhumi” in the meeting room of Kutaisi Province to share its experiences. The conversation was about the projects implemented by Fund “Sukhumi” together with the Czech organization People in Need, other local and international NGOs and local municipalities, and the importance of cooperation between the two sectors for well-being of citizens.

Participants of the meeting discussed the role and functions of a new institutional mechanism that was legitimated in municipalities since 2016 – Gender Equality Councils. Attendees expressed hope that the Councils will become a flexible mechanism and a good resource focused on needs of citizens for more effective local governance. The meeting was organized within the framework of the project “Learning from Visegrad 4 Experience to Advocate for Equal, Inclusive and Democratic Local Governance”.                      “.

The project is implemented with the support of the Visegrad Fund 

On June 20, on the International Day of IDPs and Refugees, Senaki Sakrebulo organized a meeting with IDPs. The meeting was attended by the chairman of Sakrebulo, the chairman of the Council for Gender Equality at Sakrebulo - Jumber Lashkarava, the Council Secretary Irina Gugava and representatives of the IDP service.

At the meeting, they talked about the services that the state offers to internally displaced people. They told about creation of the Council of gender equality at Sakrebulo. One of the functions of the Council is to ensure gender equality in the health and social sphere.

An interesting meeting was organized by Kutaisi Women Initiative Group in the library No. 17. The meeting aimed to cooperate with local authorities to advocate problems.

The head of the Infrastructure Development Service Vladimir Nakashidze and the chief specialist of this Service Levan Batiashvili were invited to the meeting.

The discussion was very active. The participants raised various problems, listened to competent information and got acquainted with the infrastructure programs that are implemented by the local authorities.

On the 18^th July, Fund “Sukhumi” carried out a meeting on sharing information and experience with local self-governments of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. The meeting was organized at the meeting room of the Regional Administration in Zugdidi. Local and international organizations took part in the meeting. The first meeting of the same format was carried out in Kutaisi with participation of local self-governments of Imereti region.

Representatives of Fund “Sukhumi” provided participants with the information about the project supported by the Visegrad Foundation. The project aims at advocacy for equal, inclusive and democratic governance at local level with consideration of experiences of the leading countries of Europe.

Participants were interested in the Czech experience in terms of citizens’ inclusion in equal governance at the local level; which “gender markers” are applied for analysis of a socio-demographic picture of the persons’ included in programs; Georgia’s practice on civic participation and results of cooperation between the local government, civil society groups and international organizations. Representative of PIN and UNDP shared successful practice of the projects on social inclusion.

Attendees talked about an effective mechanism – Municipal Gender Equality Councils established to promote democratic governance. Fund “Sukhumi” representatives shared their experience in institutionalization of this mechanism, and the Fund’s expertize applied by the Municipalities.

Materials of the meeting will be useful for the fulfilment of the project goals and objectives, which coincide with the declared principles of the State policy - definition of the main directions of the gender policy of the State and support for the adoption of new concepts; creation of the legislative base in the sphere of gender equality, ensuring gender development and promoting harmonization with international treaties.

The project is implemented with the support  of the Visegrad Fund 

In Kutaisi, Khoni and Tskaltubo there were held meetings of women initiative groups. The groups discussed the plans of advocacy. They received consultations – what steps should they go, whom to address, how to find followers during the work on concrete problems. They jointly worked on deadlines, in what period should be the advocacy process completed.

The members of women initiative groups also scheduled the plan, functions and responsibility of each member. The participants mention that information received during the training helped them to correctly carry out advocacy process.