To identify priority issues in the IDP community, a survey has begun in four settlements of Tskaltubo municipality. A total of 120 questionnaires are planned to be filled out.

During the meeting with members of the mutual - assistance group, participants were introduced to the survey forms, methods, and techniques, as well as the timeframe, the number of participants, and how gender and social classification should be conducted.

The collected information in each settlement will serve as the basis for civil society initiatives, supporting of which will be directed to specific needs. Funding for these initiatives will provide an important incentive for women living in the community.

The project is implemented by a coalition of non-governmental organizations: the Association of IDP Women "Consent" the Women's Information Center, and Women’s Charitable Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi."

An important stage started in the work of women's mutual assistance groups: identifying priority issues in IDP communities and developing initiatives. A survey is planned for target municipalities to identify women's needs.

At a meeting with members of the mutual assistance group in Senaki, participants were introduced to the theoretical materials for the survey forms, methods and techniques. They were given instructions on how and when the survey would be conducted, how many people would be involved, and who would be the target group.

Using the acquired skills, the survey will be successfully conducted. In response to the identified needs, it is planned to support civil society initiatives that will contribute to the creation of a fulfillment living environment in the IDP community.

The project is implemented by a coalition of non-governmental organizations: the Association of IDP Women “Consent”, the Women's Information Center, and the Women's Charitable Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”.

Women's mutual - assistance groups presented 18 initiatives, seven of which received financial support from our organization.

At next group meetings, civic initiatives were discussed.

Two out of seven initiatives were from women of Terjola group. Tskaltubo group presented four initiatives, one of which received funding. This is a great incentive for them.

Kobuleti women group did not participate in the initiative competition. Unfortunately, the initiatives of Vani and Kutaisi groups did not receive funding at this stage.

At ordinary meetings, group members discussed the submitted applications to take into account the competition committee's comments and more actively engage in the next stage - developing initiatives and receiving financial support.

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

What was August like in our youth groups?

Hot and active, like the weather and interesting and busy. 

All ten meetings were held online. The youth listened with interest to the topics of the month: ways to resolve conflicts peacefully, relationships between parents and children, ethics and aesthetics.

What will September be like?

Even more active and interesting...

Preparations for the final meetings have begun. Selected working groups will invite guests. Leaders will give presentations on how the five-month course has affected them, what has changed and how they will use the knowledge they have gained.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - EvangelischerEntwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The forum theater performances were in Kutaisi Youth Park. During the performances, there was an active discussion with the audience and a search for ways out of the situation in terms of violence.

The conversation was mainly attended by women who told stories of violence (only actors are in the photos, the audience abstains).

According to the young actors, their voices and important messages should reach many people, since facts of violence are often met.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

At the end of August, an ordinary meeting of Kutaisi mutual assistance group was held. The group members discussed the issue of creating a treasury. They talked about financial contributions and their use, the rights and responsibilities of responsible persons.

One of the issues was increasing the competence of group members through trainings. The training on women's leadership was of particular importance for the group.

The group members are already leaders in the community and have the knowledge necessary to identify needs and solve priority problems of communities. They also care about social change through the implementation of civil initiatives.

The topic of discussion at the ordinary information meeting of Khoni mutual assistance group was the creation of a treasury account and the election of a treasurer. This initiative will increase responsibility and targeted, effective management and disposal of common finances in the IDP community.

The participants focused on the knowledge and skills acquired during the trainings and how they can use them in practice.

During the meeting, the problems existing in the settlement were noted. The group was provided with information on the needs research that they should conduct. In conclusion, the participants discussed future plans and the implementation of civic initiatives in the community.

At the next information meeting, members of Tskaltubo mutual assistance group discussed an amendment to the charter concerning the creation of a treasury account.

This initiative involves voluntary donations, the introduction of an internal savings system in order to master the basics of financial management and improve financial literacy.

At the meeting, attention was paid to the topic of leadership, which was of particular interest to the group members.

Once again, problems and common needs of different settlements were recorded, which are planned to be solved through joint efforts and civil initiatives, after conducting a needs research.

Poti mutual assistance group gathered for another information meeting. The group members discussed an important change made to the charter - the creation and introduction of a treasury account.

The initiative is aimed at increasing responsibility in the IDP settlement and effective management - the use of common financial resources.

The meeting discussed leadership competencies developed as a result of trainings, which will help the group members in the process of needs research.

The meeting participants once again emphasized the importance of social activity. The problems of individual residential houses and common needs were identified, which are planned to be addressed jointly, through civil initiatives.

A training on “Leadership for IDPs and Rural Women” was held in Kutaisi at the “Argo” Hotel. The training was attended by members of mutual assistance groups from the municipalities of Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Khashuri and Sachkhere.

This training opened a series of trainings planned within the framework of the project “Women Act for Peace and Strengthening Local Communities”. The goal of the trainings is to prepare members of mutual assistance groups, equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills to strengthen social work in IDP communities and in conflict affected communities. 

According to the participants, the training was interesting, active, dynamic and productive.

The first part of the training was devoted to the discussion of women's leadership, leadership characteristics and main components. The second part continued with simulation exercises and thematic videos. During active interaction, the participants showed the importance of presentation, self-presentation and public speaking. According to them, the development of women's leadership is important for identifying and solving women's needs. Other groups will also undergo training on the topic of leadership, and this group will work on a new topic.