The members of the youth group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality completed their work on the mini-project: "Hello, Abkhazia!", within the framework of this project various activities were carried out - a discussion on the topic of peace, meeting with peers, showing and analyzing a film. The aim of the project was to popularize the topic of peace. The members of the women initiative group worked on the topic of advocacy. The participants discussed the named problems. An advocacy plan was developed, according to which the group members will try to implement the process effectively.

Women Fund "Sukhumi" organized a training with young people on the topic: "Mediation as a Ritual of Reconciliation" in school of the village Didinedzi of Zugdidi Municipality. The importance of mediation, conflict management and development of necessary skills - this was the aim of the training. In the first part, the participants talked about the historical role of mediation, drawing a parallel with today. The second part, the thematic block was devoted to the essence of mediation and a detailed discussion of the skills that a mediator should possess. In the third, practical part, the participants improved the theoretical material with role-playing games. Young people rated the training as timely and effective. The members of Didinedzi women initiative group spoke about the issues that have been resolved and those that need to be resolved in the community. The problem of drainage canals was revealed, as crops and plants are damaged during heavy rains. The women initiative group discussed the elaboration of an advocacy plan.

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

The second stage of the project “IDP women and girls – actors of the elaboration of needs-based local policies in Kutaisi” continues successfully.

“We managed to solve one problem, and this is the merit of the project: we equipped the entrance of the residential building, made it clean and safe. Now we are starting to advocate for the installation of benches,” mentioned IDPs living in the building of the former musical college.

Members of the initiative group who were trained in frames of our project tell others about the need for civic responsibility.

The meeting participants actively discuss actual topics and are now advocating for the issue of installing benches in the area adjacent to 58 Chavchavadze Avenue. 

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

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

During the information meeting, an active member of the initiative group spoke about the forms of civic participation, its necessity and problems of community. An acute problem for internally displaced persons living in Kutaisi, in the administrative building of a former tractor factory, is damp walls, which pose a threat to the health of residents and the building itself.

The meeting reviewed a statement, which will be supported by signatures and handed over to local authorities to take appropriate measures.

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

A working meeting of the IDP community was held in Kutaisi, in house No. 4 on 13/4 Ioseliani Street. The women informed that the issue of the problematic roof was gradually being resolved, work had begun, but the external façade and damp walls still remained a problem for them.

This time members of the initiative group, who acquire knowledge of advocacy issues after our trainings, share their experience with community members to increase civic responsibility.

Meeting participants talk about the need for unity, teamwork and preservation of common property.

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

30 medical workers (from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Chokhatauri, Terjola, Samtredia municipalities) attended the training, which was held in Tskaltubo.

The topic of the training was “The role of medical staff in violence prevention and victim protection”. Using a variety of methods, participants discussed the different issues, including: violence against women and children, the Istanbul Convention, referral mechanisms, victim identification groups...

According to them, this work is relevant and necessary:

“For me, as a doctor, the training was interesting. The information received, the interesting methods and the environment were productive"...

“The training format allowed us to talk about the reasons of the problem, to analyze when we behave correctly and incorrectly. It is necessary for medical staff to understand their direct responsibility".

The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)

The second phase of the coalition project “IDP and Conflict Affected Women and Youth for Localizing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the Local Level” was launched In June. The project is supported by the UN Women and resources from the the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.

During the previous project period, a network of women IDPs was created. The new project envisages strengthening and expanding the capabilities of the “Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors”. And also - support for initiatives of network members that will be aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of IDP and Conflict Affected Women and Girls, advocating for their needs and including them in relevant programs and budgets.

In order to get acquainted with the goals of the project and planned activities, information meetings were held in Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki and Zugdidi. Members of the “Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors” took part in the meetings. The meetings also identified important issues of these communities.

The project is implemented with the support

 of the UN Women organization

A round table was held in the village of Koki (Zugdidi municipality). A lawyer of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” spoke about identifying victims of violence against women and/or domestic violence, their protection, assistance, national referral and rehabilitation procedures, as well as the services of our organization. The meeting participants received information about the role and positive impact of NGOs.

One of the meeting participants noted: “The services of non-governmental organizations are important for different groups. Being a victim of violence, your rehabilitation service helped me a lot, today I have become more independent and strong.”

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)