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.
The Women's Fund "Sukhumi" journalism competition awards ceremony was held at the Gelati Residence Hotel. The competition focused on the ethical coverage of gender identity disinformation and violence against women, and journalists and bloggers working in the Imereti region participated.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Ekaterine Gamakharia, head of the Tbilisi office of the Women's Fund "Sukhumi" and coordinator of the project "Changing Narratives: Fighting Against Gender Identity Disinformation for an Informed, Sensitive Society and Ethical Regional Media," and Ala Gamakharia, director of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi". In their speech, they spoke about the Women Fund "Sukhumi"'s 25 years of experience in collaboration with journalists, and the importance of ethical coverage of violence against women.
Based on the jury's total points, the awards were distributed as follows:
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
In Chokhatauri, members of the mutual assistance group held a meeting of a different format - a cheese exhibition. The women brought out their goods. They discussed the creation of a website called "Women of Gogolasubani", which will help sell the products. Group from Tsalenjikha consider the economic empowerment of women from the vulnerable group in their plans for the future.
New participants gathered in Samtredia, they filled out questionnaires, talked about their needs. Tskaltubo group was replenished with new members. The meeting was held online.
Mutual assistance group meetings were also held in other municipalities (Khobi, Zugdidi, Terjola, Kobuleti, Senaki, Vani). New participants addressed - with their problems and hope for their solution. A psychologist from the Women Fund “Sukhumi” actively worked with the women.
The project is implemented with the support the Equality Fund (Canada)
Since the beginning of October, trainings with new members of the Youth Empowerment Centers of 10 municipalities have been actively launched.
The essence of conflict, peace, violence, as well as familiarization with their types and specific examples - these topics were discussed with the participants.
The trainings were conducted both with the direct participation of participants (Zugdidi, Senaki, Tsalenjikha, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Kobuleti, Tskaltubo) and online (Samtredia, Vani, Terjola). The training cycle will continue from next month in all ten municipalities.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
An informational meeting was held in the village Shua Khorga (Khobi municipality), attended by school teachers and parents. The main topic of discussion at the meeting was the prevention of domestic violence and protection of the victim.
The discussion focused on the role and functions of referral entities. The emphasis was on training teachers and medical personnel and providing information about services.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
There have been changes in the acting group of the forum theater, two actors left and two volunteers came to take their place.
The performances of the forum theater were held in the small hall of Kutaisi Meskhishvili Theater, despite the small number of spectators, the discussion was active. The theater staff positively assessed the acting of the young people, the scenes reflecting reality.
The second performance took place in the city center - this is a good experience for the youth. They are actively working, rehearsing and preparing for new performances.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)
The monitoring and advocacy group of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" formed advocacy groups in 10 target municipalities of Western Georgia (Tskaltubo, Khoni, Terjola, Vani, Samtredia, Senaki, Khobi, Chokhatauri, Tsalenjikha, Zugdidi - the village Khurcha), whose members are active women of the communities.
The meetings were devoted to identifying and ranking issues for advocacy. The group members were informed that within the framework of the project they have the opportunity to present "civil initiatives" through which they can solve a specific problem with the help of financial support.
Important problems for local communities were identified, which could not be resolved due to lack of finance.
At the meetings it was noted that the implementation of these initiatives will allow to solve specific problems in the communities and will increase the awareness of the advocacy groups.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)