Women advocacy groups created in Tskaltubo, Zugdidi and Senaki supported a civil initiative for the advocacy of identified needs. In particular: in the IDP settlement of Senaki, there were no signs with numbers on the apartments, which often created problems (for example, when calling an ambulance). There were no benches for parents and children in the courtyard of the school in the village Koki (Zugdidi municipality). In Tskaltubo, in a new settlement of IDPs, women identified a following problem: the buildings do not have information boards on which the necessary information would be posted (for example, information about a hotline).
The implementation of these initiatives will ensure a safe and adapted environment for women
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
The network meeting was held online. It was attended by members of the Network of Women and Girls Peace Ambassadors from Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki and Zugdidi municipalities.
The meeting participants heard information about an analysis of the current situation from the point of view of problem advocacy in individual municipalities.
The network leaders voiced priority problems in their communities. The work on their identification was held together with the members of the group.
The meeting participants discussed the available opportunities together. By common agreement, all resources will be actively used to solve the identified problems.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
On November 9, an evaluation workshop was held at the office of the Fund “Sukhumi”. Women initiative groups of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senak, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha evaluated the results of four years of work. What was the impact of the project activities on society and the country, what changed in their community - individual groups worked in this direction. Four years of work had positive results, which the members of the group received in different directions. The contours of the future project were outlined in their proposals. It first of all, involves the strengthening of work in the direction of peace. During the evaluation, the participants expressed positive opinions. "Four years is a long time to change! We feel this change, we have also affected the environment and therefore I think this project has done a good job. "Informing, activating the peace community, advocacy - we were all equally involved in all these processes." "We became stronger and were able to strengthen others. We activated topics that were not discussed before. "- these are short assessments of those involved in the project. The meeting was held within the framework of the project "bridging the gap, people-to-people initiatives for conflict resolution", funded by the USAID.
On November 8, a project evaluation workshop was held at the office of the Fund "Sukhumi". Leaders of all seven youth initiative groups created in the municipalities of Kutaisi, Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha participated in it. Youth groups evaluated the results of four years of work. • Empowerment of young people - trainings • Initiatives and sub-grants • Peace building The comments of the participants are positive. "Participation in the project played an important role in my formation as a leader. I was able to plan and organize activities on my own, it gave me a great motivation, I overcame the complexes that prevented me from being bolder and more active." "My involvement in the Georgian-Abkhazian-Ossetian meetings showed me very well how important the role of young people is in peace activities. This project gave us an opportunity to deepen our communication and relationship." The positive impact of the project was reflected in the works of the participants. The project "Bridging the gap People-to-People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution" is funded by USAID and has been implemented since 2021. The project is coming to its end.
On 21 Zakariadze Street in Kutaisi, there is a building of a former kindergarten where internally displaced persons live. A useful civil initiative envisaged by the project was implemented in this settlement.
A safe environment for residents was created - dangerous old gates were dismantled and secondary, but relatively new gates were installed. The entrance road, which was difficult for residents to move around during the rain, was repaired. The entrance door to the house was also repaired and the walls were painted.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Women who participated in the project bought 1 exercise machine, 2 benches and a petrol mower for IDPs living in apartments of the former tea factory in the Ingiri community (Zugdidi municipality).
According to residents, there was no such precedent in the village and they express their deep gratitude for the support of their initiative. This equipment can be used by people of any age, and this will contribute to the introduction of a healthy lifestyle in the community.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
Members of Women Initiative Groups of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Zugdidi and Senaki municipalities, assistants, representative of the donor organization Medea Gugeshashvili and founder of the Fund “Sukhumi” Alla Gamakharia took part in the meeting within the framework of the "Network of Women and Young Women Peace Ambassadors".
The assistants presented information on the work for the reporting period and summed up the results.
In their speeches, the leaders spoke about the events held in the target municipalities (implementation of the initiatives of the II stage) within the framework of supporting "Civil Initiatives".
According to the leaders and members of the initiative groups, this project has increased the involvement of citizens even more. "Civic Initiatives" presented women in society from a different side. They become active and look for ways to solve problems themselves.
As the women noted, at first they themselves did not believe in the victory of their ideas and had little hope for their implementation, but now the problems have been solved - the team and the population are happy with the results achieved.
The project is implemented with the support of the UN Women organization
They implemented the initiative envisaged by the project in the IDP settlement of Kutaisi municipality with their own resources. With the grant, residents of the former physics and mathematics boarding school on Leselidze Street, purchased a petrol mower, a water pump and an electric cable, oil for replacement, pliers and an electric machine. These materials will contribute to the creation of a safe living environment in the IDP community.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
A joint meeting was held in the office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi", where active women members of two (second and third) initiative groups summed up the results of advocacy.
They expressed gratitude for the trainings conducted within the framework of the project. They noted that they became more active, strengthened and had an incentive to independently determine the priority problems of the community and find ways to solve them. They admitted that they were able to solve many issues thanks to the project of the Fund "Sukhumi" - benches were installed in the settlement, the roof was changed, permission was received to build a mini-stadium in the yard...
Everyone saw that diligence, teamwork and activity are the most important in a common work. During the meeting, they also discussed plans and new problems in order to begin advocating for them. Regarding their problems, the women initiative group sent an official letter to the Chairman of Kutaisi City Council. The corresponding response has already been received, and they will receive a specific answer in the near future.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program