Two organizations work with us in Lanchkhuti in the framework of the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring”.

Lanchkhuti Information Center and Georgian Rural Hall - these two civil society organizations are actively involved in the work process. They were the ones who received the first grants for the implementation of small projects in the municipality.

On April 20, representatives of Imereti Scientists’ Union "Spectri" held a consultation meeting with members of these organizations. The stages of implementation of the funded projects and other important issues were discussed.

An online workshop regarding introduction of an electronic petition in Khoni Municipality was conducted. The workshop was attended by the administrator of the website of Khoni Municipality, IT specialist, facilitators, who will be actively involved in the planned informational meetings in twelve administrative units of the municipality. Workshop participants were provided with information about the e-petition system: its registration, e-voting procedures, etc. The second part of the workshop was devoted to the issues of system administration.

Several actual issues were discussed during the meeting of Baghdati working group. The group members decided to present the code of ethics to to City Council meeting for final approval. They also talked about the active updating of the web page - the new version will include an online petition system, access to public information, and the City Council meetings will be broadcasted.

Recently, local civil society organizations received mini-grants in the framework of the Fund “Sukhumi” project. Representatives of these organizations informed the group members about the future  work in small projects that will contribute to the introduction of more effective public administration.

The meeting of the working group also considered the recommendations of the third monitoring of the implementation of public administration reform. These recommendations should be reflected in the action plan of the working group.

Mother left her with acquaintances and disappeared. She grew up without love. She was a victim of bullying, she got married at 15, but was not happy, the husband was rapist. It was the final drop, when her husband almost killed her with an axe… she decided to ask for help and run away with two children. So, she appeared in the shelter. Then she was addressed to the Fund "Sukhumi", passed psycho-rehabilitation, professional courses. Fund "Sukhumi" managed to rent a flat, helped to solve living, health and employment problems. Then was Covid-19… she was immediately taken to the clinic and her children - to the children’s center. Now they are together again. In general, after the shelter, the victim is in difficult situation and needs partner network to feel stability and security. Fund “Sukhumi” created social partners’ network including Fund’s psychologist and lawyer, lawyer of shelter, children’s rights department and social workers. The "Network" meets periodically, summarizes the work, plans activities for the safety and social integration of the victim. The pilot of the “network” turned out to be successful.

On April 6, a meeting with one initiative group of women was held in Khoni City Council  and the other - in the House of Culture.

First speech was presented form the side of training participants (6 women out of this group participated in the training, which was held in Sairme) and they shared their impressions with the group members.

Then there was a presentation on "Gender Responsive Early Warning System." The participants of the two meetings got acquainted with the essence of this system and human security. At the end, they received information about the research "Assessment of the quality of population human security and gender needs", also the participants, who will carry out this work were selected.

The results of the third monitoring of the implementation of public administration reform were discussed during the ordinary meeting of Ozurgeti working group. The monitoring was carried out by local civil society organizations - the Center for Education and Equality and the Union of Young Teachers - with the support of Imereti Scientists’ Unions “Spectri”.

Representatives of these organizations familiarized the meeting participants with the positive trends of the three monitoring processes and new challenges.

The meeting was attended by: Chairperson of the City Council David Darchia, representatives of the City Council Administration, mass media and civil society. David Darchia noted that the municipality has completed the process of internet covering and a person can have electronic access to municipal services from any place. It is one of the contributing factors of improving the practice of e-management.

“Prehistory of Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, its continuation and consequences” - this topic was discussed at online trainings with youth initiative groups of Tskaltubo and Tsalenjikha (school No. 1 - village Liya) municipalities. The trainings were held separately for both groups with participation of 40 pupils.

"The training was full of information and interesting".

"I wanted to know more about Georgian-Abkhazian conflict, and the training made up for this deficit."

"Today, many of my questions were answered".

The young people expressed interest regarding the topic in this way. They expressed their desire - to have more communication with their Abkhazian peers. The project will give them with this opportunity.

The project of the Fund “Sukhumi” - "Strengthening the Women's Rights in Western Georgia" is focused on the following issues: - protecting women's rights, strengthening the families, preventing domestic violence and supporting victims, responding to gender problems through cooperation with local governments.

Project presentations have been already held in Terjola, Senaki and Bagdati municipalities. The meetings were attended by representatives of local governments, civil activists. The prospects of responding to the problem of domestic violence and cooperation were highlighted.

The representatives of the municipalities underlined that prevention of domestic violence is the sphere of ​​their interest and they are ready to cooperate with the Fund "Sukhumi".

“Strengthening the Women’s Rights in Western Georgia” - Fund “Sukhumi” has started a new stage of this project… with changes, new directions.

The project area - four regions of Western Georgia: Imereti, Samegrelo, Guria and Ajara. The work will be carried out in the following 10 municipalities: Vani, Bagdati, Samtredia, Tkibuli, Terjola, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi, Chokhatauri, Kobuleti.

One of the innovations is that, for the first time, within the framework of the project, Women Support Centers are being created in Vani, Bagdati, Samtredia, Tkibuli and Chokhatauri.

The Fund "Sukhumi" has its own representatives who will work locally to strengthen women and protect their rights, they will try to advocate and solve problems through a gender-responsive system. The aim of the project is prevention of domestic violence in cooperation and coordination with local governments.

Vani working group has a lot of work, and this was obvious during City Council meetings. IT specialist presented information about updating the official web page - the functions of requesting public information and online petitions, a mechanism for citizens' participation "Plan the budget" will be added. Online broadcasting of City Council meetings and other technical changes are planned. The meeting also reviewed the code of ethics developed for City Council members and the results of the third monitoring conducted by representatives of partner civil society organizations.

Part of the recommendations identified in the framework of two monitoring have already been implemented. Recommendations of the third monitoring will be also reflected in the action plan of the working group. Their implementation will add more transparency and efficiency to the work of local self-government.