On the initiative of the Fund "Sukhumi", a round table on the topic: "Implementation of an early conflict prevention system in response to the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic - the role of community leaders in responding to the crisis" was held in Zoom platform.

The meeting was attended by representatives of local self-government of 11 municipalities of Western Georgia (Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Terjola, Khoni, Senaki, Poti, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Kobuleti): Vice-Mayors, heads of health services, social and administrative services, members of the Gender Council, as well as community leaders, moderators of the Fund "Sukhumi".

- What were the challenges  caused by  the pandemic, how does the local government respond to them, what are the mechanisms of response at the local level and what is the level of citizen’s knowledge in local programs - the focus was mainly done on these issues.

At the beginning of the meeting, the participants listened to information about the results and trends of the research conducted by the Fund "Sukhumi". The exchange of information between municipalities created an interesting environment for debate. The need to activate community leaders in order to inform the citizens was highlighted.

The round table was held within the framework of the project “Early Conflict Prevention - Theory and Practice”, and with this activity a group of participants joined the campaign "16 active days against violence towards the women".

The next meeting of the CSO Forum was held within the framework of the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring”, in which both the project partner CSO and the members of the working groups set up in the target municipalities participated. Issues related to the activities of the working groups were discussed. Presentations were made by the leaders of the working groups, who talked about the achieved results and future activities. The joint efforts and cooperation of the representatives of local self-governments and civil society organizations for the development of public governance in all target municipalities where the project is implemented are noteworthy. This time, the forum meeting was held online, using the Zoom platform, organized by one of the project partners, Imereti Scientists’ Union "Spectri".

The work is carried out in the framework of the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring”.

The project is implemented with the support the European Union - #EU4Georgia

During a meeting with representatives of local self-government in Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Chokhatauri and Kobuleti, the work in municipalities in direction of the implementation of gender policy, identification of violence against women / domestic violence, prevention of violence and protection of the victim was discussed.

The need to respond to the new reality in the COVID-19 context, especially gender budgeting and local program evaluation, was highlighted.

The monitoring group of the Fund "Sukhumi" presented the research: the problems that arose as a result of the pandemic, the situation of victims of violence and risk groups in the conditions of Covid-19 and the recommendations developed for different structures. The important role of the Regional Administration in coordinating gender equality policy was emphasized at the meeting.