June/July E-newsletter of the Civil Development Agency (CiDA)

MONTHLY ELECTRONIC EDITION

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Local market development plans are elaborated in municipalities Plans for development of local market are actively elaborated in six municipalities of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti within the project “Local Actors Join for Inclusive Economic Development and Governance in the South Caucasus” (JOIN). Working groups have been assembled in the six target municipalities. Group members have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. Within the frameworks of the Memorandum during 6 months the above-mentioned groups will be meeting at least twice per month, and work on plans for development of local market. The groups are of mixed type, they are involving all the interested parties, among the members are representatives of local government, business, CSOs and media.

“Elaboration of market development plans is the first stage.

Group members have become familiar with the entire process, they’ve learnt how the plans will be elaborated, what is their role in this process, what is the role of consultants and partners. And for the next stage they will already have information for establishment of profile of their own municipality, which will be one of the most important components of the plan” – said Project coordinator Nino Chitorelidze.

Project “Local Actors Join for Inclusive Economic Development and Governance in the South Caucasus” (JOIN) is a three-year initiative, funded by the Austrian Development Agency. The project is implemented by CARE Austria and CARE International in the Caucasus, with partner organizations: in Georgia – Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and in Armenia – “Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development” (CARD)

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CiDA promotes discussion meetings on Civil Society Organization networking initiative Civil Development Agency (CiDA) office hosted Kvemo Kartli Civil Society Organization representatives on June 28. CiDA director discussed facing problems and challenges with CSOs leaders. Zviad Devdariani declared on the new initiative for establishing CSO network.

“The network will be spread all over Georgia with the general objective to strengthen links between citizens and CSOs and in a result CSOs will have opportunity to lobby and advocate local needs in professional and qualified manner through the decision making process.” – Zviad Devdariani, CiDA Director commented to “Daily News”

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The idea of creating unified network was responded positively by the CSO representatives “Very remarkable and herewith innovative idea allying the sector. We do not have any similar case in Georgia. I consider that many organizations will join the initiative and small scale CSOs will exercise opportunity of being in line with bigger players and partner with them.” – remarked Demetre Samkurashvili, “Creative Group” leader Similar to Rustavi the meetings have been held in Akhaltsikhe and Gori. Another discussion is holding next week with donor organizations for promoting the initiative.

The meeting was organized within “East Georgia CSO Network project” by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) The project “East Georgia CSO Network” is implemented by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) supported

by East West Management Institute G-PAC program funded by US Agency for International Development

Juveniles in Conflict with Law fulfill Public Benefit Activities Juveniles in conflict with Law fulfilled public benefit activities on June 29 in the park close to the Rustavi Public Hall. The activity was organized by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) with support of LEPL National Probation Agency Kvemo Kartli Bureau and Rustavi City Hall. The Juveniles cleaned the park territory behind Public Hall building from grass and soft waste. The activity was joined by those teenagers who were not in conflict with law.

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“The key objective of the activity is not only engagement of the Juveniles in the public benefit actions but their integration in the society and development of practical skills” – Zurab Mukhuradze, Project coordinator commented

Environmental action was carried out at the Friendship Avenue, in Rustavi, on June 14th. . The Action was conducted within the frames of the “Public Benefit Activities“ initiated by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and supported by Rustavi City Hall and Kvemo Kartli Probation Bureau of National Probation Agency. The activity was participated by the juveniles in conflict with the law. They carried out public benefit activity at the above mentioned terrotory, namely mowed the lawn and bushes, cut off dried branches and cleaned the territory. The acclivity was also participated by juveniles not being in conflict with the law.

The purpose of the activity above its public benefit goal was to introduce juveniles to environmental care practical skills and integration in the society.

As the project coordinator, Zurab Mukhuradze declared, such action with participation of juveniles will also be held next week.

“We decided to divide juveniles into two groups. Part of them are participating in Public Benefit Activities now and the rest next week” –said Zurab Mukhuradze

The public benefit activities have been holding for more than two months in Rustavi. The activity is organized within “Public Benefit Activity” project, financed by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

Legal Aid Bureaus and CSOs Starting Cooperation A conference on the subject of Legal Aid took place several weeks ago within CIDA’s project “Monitoring and Analysis of the Criminal Justice reforms and implementation in the Free Legal Aid sphere”. Within the conference state and social organizations, working in the sphere of Legal Aid signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

The signing parties undertook responsibility to exchange information and experience. One of the most significant parts of the Memorandum implies implementation of so called Referral mechanism. In accordance with the agreement, organizations with mutually complimentary services will refer their beneficiaries to one-another, in

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case the initial organization is not able to provide the beneficiary with required service.

Repercussions of this Memorandum are those regional meetings, which are now conducted between Bureaus of Legal Service and local CSOs in Eastern Georgia. The first meeting took place in Telavi Democratic Involvement Centre. This meeting gathered representatives of Kakheti Bureau of Free Legal Aid and locally-working CSOs. The participants discussed opportunities for improvement of coordination in the Legal Aid sphere.

“Cooperation of these two sectors in very significant for Free Legal Aid. Currently there is no organization that can conduct free legal aid service in all spheres and over the whole Georgia. Free Legal Aid Service, funded by the Government, provides representation in the Court only for Criminal cases, while in other cases State service provides beneficiaries only with consultations and helps to prepare legal documents. And the COS, within different projects, will be authorised to defend beneficiaries in the Court on the civil cases also. Therefor close cooperation of state and civil sectors is very important. Thus with their assistance there will be protected much more beneficiaries” – said Civil Development Agency (CiDA) Director Zviad Devdariani.

After Telavi, meeting of State and civil sectors, working in legal aid sphere, took place in Gori. Mission of that meeting was to establish coordination, cooperation and exchange of views between the two sides.

“Through these meetings we encourage cooperation of Bureaus and regional CSOs. In result, the both sides have exhaustive information about current activities in the sphere” – says lawyer of the project “Monitoring and Analysis of the Criminal Justice Reforms and Implementation in the Free Legal Aid Sphere” Zurab Mukhuradze.

Such meetings, organized by CiDA and Legal Aid Service, was held in Akhaltsikhe, Rustavi and Mtskheta.

CiDA trainers conduct trainings in the frameworks of “Economic Prosperity Initiative” Within the frameworks of the US Agency for Interantional Development (USAID) project “Economic Prosperity Initiative” CiDA trainers Shorena Kochlamazashvili and David Tarmianishvili conduct trainings on the subject of Small Business Planning.

The training has already been conducted to women farmers in village Koda, Tetritskaro municipality.

“We have explained the reason of business planning for achievement of desired income and how to make business successful” – said CiDA trainer Shorena Kochlamazashvili.

Except for the above-mentioned issues, during the training attention was focused on expenses that farmers earlier didn’t take into consideration.

After Tetritskaro trainings will be conducted in Bolnisi municipality and Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

“Economic Prosperity Initiative” is a 4-year program. Its mission is to encourage development of small business sector in Georgia and increase competition in business sphere. The project will help Georgian Companies and agricultural enterprises increase their competitiveness.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) funds the project with 40 million USD.

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Sport Activity held for civil integration of Juveniles in Conflict with Law Juveniles in conflict with law from Rustavi compete in football with pupils from 35 Public School of Tbilisi within the “Public Benefit Activities” project on June 11th. The sport activity The event was organized by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) supported by National Agency of Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation, Kvemo Kartli Probation Bureau and Administration of Public School # 35. The aim of the activity was juveniles civil integration.

“Project beneficiaries who performed actively in the public benefit activities and trainings participated in the competition. The match was very successful, juveniles lose the first game but won the second and were satisfied with it” Zurab Mukhuradze, project coordinator commented.

Achi Arveladze director of the Public School #35 personally initiated to hold the competition between school pupils and juveniles in conflict with law on the preceding meeting where he had discussed own achievements and current occupation with the audience .

The project is funded by the Ministry of Justice and implemented by Civil Development Agency (CiDA). Juveniles in conflict with law are involved in the public benefit activities, participating in trainings and sport activities within the project.

Possible alternatives of administrative-territorial organization of Georgia discussed at CiDA Possible alternatives of administrative-territorial organization were discussed at the office of the Civil Development Agency (CiDA).

Representatives of Rustavi and Gardabani civil organizations, Rustavi self-government and media attended the Forum. Political parties were also invited at the meeting, though none of their representatives came there.

Forum participants discussed aims and objectives of decentralization, administrative organization principles, issues and models of administrative organization of Georgia, in particular – positive and negative sides of three models.

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“Conduction of a meeting in such format is an innovation. We’ve discussed three models, which are being worked out in the Government and one of which will be introduced to Georgia. We’ve debated over each model, analyzed their positive and negative sides” – said CiDA representative Revaz Barbakadze.

Such meetings will be held in all regions of Georgia, after them will be prepared a conclusion, which will be sent to central and local Government.

The Forum was organized by the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) within the frameworks of the project “CSOs East Georgia Network”.

UNDP Youth Ambassador started National Tour from Rustavi UNDP Youth Ambassador has started his National Tour from Rustavi.

Within the Tour frameworks on July 23 UNDP Youth Ambassador Giorgi Chekhani met representatives of CSOs, working on the issues of Kvemo Kartli ethnic minorities. Giorgi Chekhiani introduced to them mission of the project and the issues that will be prioritized while working.

“The major mission of the meeting was to introduce program “Georgian Youth Ambassador” to the representatives of Ethnic Minorities and especially to them, who works with the Ethnic Minorities Youth. This program will foster interests of the Georgian Youth not only on the national level, but on the international level also. In this case we have certain priorities: education, employment, involvement of the Youth, healthcare, environment protection, also protection of the rights of the Youth, aggrieved in result of conflicts” – noted Giorgi Chekhani.

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Ethnic CSOs’ representatives told Giorgi Chekhani about problems of minorities in terms of healthcare, education and integration into society.

“It was a very interesting and fruitful meeting, at least because we have shared our experience and it coincided with the studies, conducted by them, we’ve planned interesting activities for the future.

The Gender issue was especially interesting to me and now we are planning to strengthen already executed project together” – said the Head of “Good Will Mission-Missionaries” Shorena Khukhua.

Georgian Youth Ambassador will visit various regions of Georgia, meet organizations, working on the Youth and Ethnic Youth issues and in October he will present interests of National Minority Youth at the UNDP General Assembly.

The meeting was organized by the Civil Development Agency (CIDA) within the project “CSOs East Georgia Network”.

Project “CSOs East Georgian Network” is implemented by the Civil Development Agency (CiDA). The project is supported within the East-West Management Institution (EWMI) G-PAC program. The project is funded by the USA International Development Agency.

Juveniles in conflict with the law learn how to write a project Trainings, organized by the Civil Development Agency, Bureau of National Agency of Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation and Kvemo Kartli Bureau of Probation were conducted to the Juveniles in conflict with the Law. Subject of the training was preparation of a project.

“Participants get information and skills, by means of which they will be able to write several public benefit projects independently. Finally two selected projects will be funded and executed within the nearest time. The training enables juveniles to see issues, significant and required for the society, identify problems and manage them on their own” – said the invited trainer Tsira Tavshavadze.

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The Youth not in conflict with the law also attended the training.

“I’ve already worked on a project before. Last year I’ve prepared a project on the subject of children defense, it was very interesting, I obtained certain experience, but this training helped me deepen my knowledge” – said Mariam Iakobishvili.

The training was held in the frameworks of the project “Public Benefit Activities”.

Mission of the project is to teach Rustavi-based Juveniles in conflict with the law new knowledge and abilities, integrate them into society and develop their personal skills. Training on personal development has already been conducted to the Juveniles.

The project “Public Benefit Activities” is implemented by the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) with financial support of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

CIDA continues active work for organizational development

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Civil Development Agency (CiDA) continues activities within the frameworks of the Organizational development component with support of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation. After basic reports and recommendations, which were aimed for assessment of activities in various spheres, the organization hired consultants.

“Currently work is carried out in terms of financial management, human resource management, communication, strategic planning and program management. A part of the activity has an image of an expert work. Experts will carry out internal assessment process, interview employees and then each of them will prepare a certain document, which will be penetrated into CiDA. The skills’ development activity is exclusion. Within this component Management Academy Manager Alexander Jejelava will teach CiDA employees project management” – noted CiDA Director Zviad Devdariani.

In result of the above-mentioned activities, the Internal By-law of CiDA will be changed and enhanced. Also experts will prepare improved internal regulations and statutes, which will enable organization to implement various operations in conformity with high standards.

It’s noteworthy that among the products will be a 3-year vision of CIDA’s organizational development and a certain 1-year action plan, which will be put into action since 2013.

The activities will be completed by the end of September, and then all the above-mentioned novelties will be introduced to partners and stakeholders.

Eurasia Partnership Foundation started diagnostics of CiDA in November 2011.

CiDA’s organizational development component is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)

Juveniles in conflict with the Law at “Art-Gene 2012” An event was organized for Juveniles in conflict with the law with initiative of the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and support of the Bureau of National Agency of Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation and Kvemo Kartli Bureau of Probation on July 25. Juveniles took part in organization of “Art Gene 2012”. Exhibition of national craft, paintings and enamel items was held in the Ethnographic museum within the framework of the program, after that were performing creative groups from Pankisi, Tusheti, Lechkhumi and Svaneti. The program ended with concert of Rustavi group “Reggaeon” and “Kilema”.

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“Juveniles in conflict with the law attended today’s program.

Except for the fact that it’s a cultural event for them, the children make certain contribution, help creative groups in preparation, i.e. directly involve into the process and implement public benefit activities” – said organizer of the event, CiDA representative Nino Shoshiashvili.

The event was held within the project “Public benefit activities”.

Mission of the project is to teach Rustavi-based Juveniles in conflict with the law new knowledge and abilities, integrate them into society and develop their personal skills. Training on personal development has already been conducted to the Juveniles.

The project “Public Benefit Activities” is executed by the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) with financial support of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

Presentation of electoral web-portal held in Rustavi Presentation of electoral web-portal was held at the office of Civil Development Agency (CiDA). Representatives of Kvemo Kartli non-governmental sector, political parties and media were present “It is a web-portal, where, during the electoral period, will be posted practically all information, obtained by non-governmental organizations. Special attention will be paid to violations, presumable incidents. All this information will be posted to the portal and will have a certain interactive image, any user will have access to the portal and will be able to check information in terms of violations. The portal is already launched, over 150 incidents are fixed already. It’s a portal for non-governmental organization, but ordinary citizens can also submit information.

The portal is launched only 10 days ago and there are already 3 incidents, reported by citizens, though we expect more interest and activity” – said coordinator of the project Mikheil Benidze, International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy” (ISFED).

Web-portal is a joint initiative of three non-governmental organizations – “International Society for Fair Elections and De-

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mocracy” (ISFED), “Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association” and “Transparency International – Georgia”.

Mission of the portal is to introduce diverse information to parties, interested in parliament elections, to report violations, revealed by non-governmental organizations and citizens and mark them on the map of Georgia. Electoral portal will enable every citizen to electronically post in the portal presumable violations and incidents during electoral process. Alongside with the portal, will be launched a free SMS service with the following number: 2500. Any citizen from any mobile operator can send information to this number.

“All elections are important, but these elections are especially significant, as far as they will decide my future to a large extant.

Therefore it’s very important to keep population, voters informed, the more informed is the society, the better are the elections” – noted executive secretary of Rustavi organization of “National Movement” Kakha Chkhaidze.

Presentation of the web-portal is planned in all regions of Georgia. Also, the portal will be publicized through regional televisions.

The meeting was organized by CiDA within the framework of the project “CSOs East Georgia Network”.

CiDA employees acquire project management skills Within the frameworks of the Organizational Development Activity employees of th Civil Development Agency (CiDA) undergo a training in the sphere of project management. Alexander Jejelava – Chairman of Management Academy – is conducting this three-day training.

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“The training concerns methodology of project management and its aim is to ensure that the projects, implemented by CiDA, are more methodological, more documented, the plan is developed in a better way, the risks are considered thoroughly and the ultimate goals are reached with the less anxiety” – noted “Management Academy” Chairman Alexander Jejelava.

Within the training the participants get familiarized with the project subject, its competences and priorities. As CiDA’s Director said, this training should perform a significant role in further development of the organization.

“This training is very important as far as the tool for financial provision of our activity is project-writing in its management. I hope that after the training the organization staff will have good skills for program management, and also we will have competitive instruments that we will penetrate into our activities” – said CiDA Director Zviad Devdariani.

CiDA is implementing Organizational Development Activities with support of Eurasia Partnership Foundation and funding of Swedish International Development Agency.

Director of CiDA met with the EC Delegation A delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Congress) is carrying out a monitoring mission in Georgia during June 11-13. The goal of the visit is to assess the state of local and regional democracy in Georgia and prepare a interim report. Last time the report was made in 2004. The delegation representatives are carrying out meetings with different groups of stakeholders.

On June 12 the meeting was conducted with the civic sector representatives. Namely, with Davit Narmania, Executive Director at Caucasian Institute for Economic and Social Research and Zviad Devdariani, Director of Civil Development Agency (CiDA).

The conversation covered issues of local self-government, regional development strategies of Georgia,

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civil participation and other aspects of democracy.

Published by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) The donors and the partners of our ongoing projects