Civic Week Newsletter ENG

w e c o n n e c t

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

CiDA and R-CSN will continue putting a special emphasis on galvanizing more active interaction between CSOs and

citizens and supporting closer cooperation among public institutions, media, businesses, and CSOs so that more

citizens see CSOs as their partners in highlighting key public concerns and there is a more open and participatory

process by which these concerns are addressed.

CIVIC WEEK

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From May 18 to the 28 , the Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and 55 members of the

Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) organized a Civic Week across Georgia as part of a

USAID funded project, Advancing CSO Capacities and Engaging Civil Society for Sustainability

(ACCESS), implemented by the East-West Management Institute. Civic Week brought

together regional and Tbilisi-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), citizens, the private

sector, public institutions, and media to inspire more active civic engagement across the

country. During the week, more than 60 events took place throughout Georgia. Events

included: volunteer drives and activities; town hall meetings; CSOs presentations about their

work; Corporate Social Responsibility discussions; forums on civic engagement best practices;

and policy forums on the issues of public concern.

Overall, 58 events have been held during the Civic Week and about 1500 people participated in

it.

30 TV reports , 7 radio reports/interview and 25 electronic article/news have been prepared

about the Week.

18 MAY

24MAY

25MAY

26MAY

27MAY

Presenting CSO Activities to Public

CiDA presentation for students

Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli

Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)

Topic: Role of International Republican Institute (IRI) in

increasing women participation in politics


Policy Forum

Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan


Policy Forum


Tsalka, Kvemo Kartli

Volunteer Activity

Donating blood

Batumi, Adjara


Distributing information brochures

Batumi, Adjara

Policy Forum


Oni, Racha

Policy Forum

Topic: Employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Zugdidi, Samegrelo

Volunteer Activity

Clean-up at kindergartens, Retirement Home and Center for

People with Disabilities Educational activities for kindergarten

children


Policy Forum

Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan.

Gardabani, Kvemo Kartli

Policy Forum

Topic: Problems of homeless families and families living in

temporary shelters

Batumi, Adjara


Open Door Day - Citizens visiting offices of local CSOs to get

acquainted with their missions, objectives, and work

Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti




Policy Forum

Topic: Civil Society development perspectives in Georgia and

US examples Presentation by Peace Corps volunteers

Ozurgeti, Guria


Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of

national business companies with their regional counterparts

and CSOs

Gori, Shida Kartli

Volunteer Activity

Clean-up of streetis and collecting scrap paper

Ambrolauri, Racha-Leckhumi

Policy Forum


Kazbegi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti


Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of national business

companies with their regional counterparts and CSOs


Volunteer Activity

Clean-up and socializing activities at Retirement Homes

Ozurgeti, Guria

Policy Forum

Topic: Key concerns of citizens in Telavi district

Telavi, Kakheti


Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge

developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and Development

(CIPDD)


Radio Talk-Show

CSO Kutaisi Information Center discussing its work and local problems

Kutaisi, Imereti

Volunteer Activity

Clean-up of streets

Tsageri, Racha-Lechkhumi

Policy Forum

Topic: Main concerns of IDPs living in Tserovani

Tserovani, Mtskheta-Mtianeti



developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and Development

(CIPDD)

Marneuli-Kvemo Kartli

Volunteer Activity

Let's Mark together Public Places that are Accessible for People with

Disabilities




Gori, Shida Kartli

Volunteer Activity

Helping socially vulnerable families with Spring agricultural works

Tsageri, Racha Leckhumi

Policy Forum


Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Volunteer Activity

My Abilities are Unlimited - street action in support of people with disabilities

Kharagauli, Imereti

Volunteer Activity

Collecting scrap paper

Kharagauli, Imereti


Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of national business

companies with their regional counterparts and CSOs

Batumi, Adjara

Policy Forum

Topic: Primary concerns of youth and their thoughts on how to address

these problems

Sagarejo, Kakheti

Volunteer Activity

Exhibition of art works made of recyclable waste products Event dedicated

to preservation of Kutaisi Architecture Flash Mob - collection of plastic

materials Free consultations for citizens

Kutaisi, Imereti


Topic: Transparency International Georgia Presentation of e-participation

tools

Kutaisi, Imereti

Youth Conference

Topic: Problems of youth in the region and how to address them

Akhastsikhe, Samtskhe Javakheti


Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of national

business companies with their regional counterparts and CSOs

Kutaisi, Imereti

Policy Forum


Mtskheta, Mtskheta Mtianeti



developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and

Development (CIPDD)



R-CSN members and other regional CSOs from Shida Kartli

present their work to students

Gori, Shida-Kartli

Volunteer Activity

Helping socially vulnerable families with Spring agricultural works

Zugdidi, Samegrelo

Policy Forum


Mtskheta, Mtskheta Mtianeti

Volunteerism Festival

Students visiting a specialized school for children with disabilities,

Photo exhibition, City clean-up, Town hall meeting at city Sakrebulo

Chiatura, Imereti

Volunteer Activity

Clean-up of streets

Zugdidi, Samegrelo

Civic Education

Series of performances, Examples of Democracy at public schools

Batumi, Adjara




Development (CIPDD)

Gori, Shida-Kartli




Development (CIPDD)

Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti


Topic: Project implemented in Tkibuli kindergarten on solar energy

consumption

Tkibuli, Imereti


Transparency International Georgia Presentation of e-participation

tools

Zugdidi, Samegrelo

Establishing the Business Corporate Social Responsibility Club with

participation of businesses, CSOs, international organizations, and

media

Tbilisi

19 MAY

20 MAY

21 MAY

22 MAY

23MAY

3INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS: WHAT IS THE MISSION OF CSOS?"

CSOs met with locals to introduce their

work and explain how their work

benefits the local community and the

country. During information meetings in

various regions, CSOs handed out

leaflets and brochures highlighting their

regional activities. Additionally, some

CSOs provided free consultations to

help locals with their legal and

economic challenges.

CiDA met with Rustavi students to

present various CiDA projects. As part

of Open Door Days, CSOs in

Samtskhe-Javakheti invited citizens to

their offices and introduced their work,

as part of efforts to foster a closer

relationship with public. The Georgian

Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) of

Kutaisi held a CSO fair and exhibition at

the Kutaisi city center; around 15

participating CSOs consulted

individually with locals. Three members

of the R-CSN hosted a similar fair in the

Center of Gori; members of more than

10 local and international CSOs gave

presentations on their work in the

region, discussed the advantages of

engaging in civic initiatives, and shared

their personal experiences.

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

4CSOs DISCUSSED REGIONAL PROBLEMS

CSOs from 13 different municipalities organized

town hall meetings and multi-stakeholder policy

forums involving local governments, the private

sector, media, and citizens in open discussions

on regional development strategic plans, youth

problems, preservation of cultural heritage,

problems of people with disabilities, and

problems of homeless people.

Kutaisi Information Center organized a meeting

with Kutaisi Mayor where they discussed the

city's architecture, ongoing infrastructural works,

and ways to preserve historical and cultural

heritage.

CiDA presented the Rustavi Municipality's 2015-

2017 strategic development action plan to CSOs

and youth at the Rustavi Center for Civic

Engagement. The purpose of the meeting was

to inform locals about ongoing regional

development strategies and to generate public

feedback on action plan priorities. CiDA

recorded audience member concerns and

recommendations for analysis and subsequent

submission to relevant entities.

Institute of Democracy held a discussion about

the state of the resettled as well as the families

without shelter. The discussion was attended by

the representatives of the Government of Ajara

Autonomous Republic, Supreme Council and

the citizens being resettled in the premises

being under state and private ownership.

Meeting participants discussed the attitude of

the Government towards the resettled on the

territory of former 25th and 53rd battalions, as

well as the ways for settling their problems.

Union of Democrat-Meskhs and Youth Center of

Akhaltsikhe held a forum in Samtskhe-Javakheti,

where young people took part in it and

presented project initiatives for solving local

regional problems.

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

5BEST PRACTICE SHARING

During Civic Week, Tbilisi-based CSOs

shared their experience with their

regional counterparts. In Rustavi,

Marneuli, Akhaltsikhe, Gori, and

Mtskheta, the Caucasus Institute for

Peace, Democracy and Development

(CIPDD) presented the interactive

web-platform www.shenmartav.ge.

The web-portal enables citizens to

obtain information about the elected

MPs, discussed amendments, and

approved acts. As part of a

presentation on best practices, the

International Republican Institute (IRI)

discussed effective mechanisms and

methodologies to carry out successful

advocacy campaigns in Rustavi.

Transparency International Georgia

presented www.chemikucha.ge and

www.myparliament.ge interactive web

platforms for holding government

accountable to CSOs and interested

citizens in Kutaisi and Zugdidi. These

electronic tools developed and

managed by TI-Georgia, foster public

engagement in the government's

decision-making process and facilitate

cooperation between citizens and

decision-makers. Through

www.chemikucha.ge, citizens can

inform the municipal government

about street conditions and request

corrective actions to fix the problem.

The site www.myparliament.ge

provides detailed information on every

single MP.

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

6

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION

Civic Week organizers prioritized hosting volunteer

activities to benefit local communities and engage

citizens in their activities. Over the course of the week,

volunteers took part in 15 CSO events across Georgia.

They planted trees and flowers; cleaned yards and

streets; organized entertaining activities for kindergarten

children, children with disabilities, and for elderly living in

shelters; visited retirement homes and centers for

people with disabilities.

Overall, more than 600 people have participated in

volunteer events which have been held in Rustavi,

Batumi, Chiatura, Akhaltsikhe, Zugdidi and Kharagauli.

CiDA organized volunteer events in the city of Rustavi.

CiDA representatives visited local kindergartens, a

retirement home, and a day center for people with

disabilities. Participants planted trees, painted fences,

and cleaned yards. Volunteers also hosted entertaining

activities for local children in kindergartens.

Colunters in Zugdidi and Chiatura cleaned the streets of

their cities. The Union of Chiaturelians gathered local

volunteers and organized entertainment for special

school for people with disabilities and a retirement

home. Association Tolerant held an event Let's Mark

together Public Places that are Accessible for People

with Disabilities in Akhaltsikhe. Volunteers and civil

society leaders walked around the city's central park to

identify places accessible for people with disabilities and

marked the areas on a map. The revised map will be

printed and distributed to people with disabilities in

Akhaltsikhe.

Institute of Democracy brought together the

representatives of 16 non-governmental organizations

to take part in the charity action. They gathered at

Batumi Blood Bank from the morning. In the Blood

Donation Action the third sector invited Batumi City

Court. The deputies from the Supreme Council of Ajara

were also involved the representatives of the non-

governmental organizations.

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

7CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) MASTERCLASSES AND

ESTABLISHMENT OF CSR CLUB

On May 27, as part of a CiDA and

GEPRA initiative, business leaders and

CSO leaders, and members of the

media came together to found a CSR

club in Tbilisi. The Club's mission is to

promote socially responsible business

practices and encourage sustained,

coordinated social initiatives that benefit

citizens across Georgia. The Club will

also strengthen partnerships between

the business community and CSOs.

During the founding ceremony, over 50

organizations signed the Club Charter

becoming founders. As a result of the

event's popularity, interest in club

membership is growing continuously.

Prior to the club's establishment, CSR

master classes were held in four

Georgian cities. Public Relations and

Marketing Managers from leading

Georgian businesses met with their

counterparts and regional CSOs to

introduce their companies' CSR

success stories and discuss prospects

for future cooperation.

CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

8CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) MASTERCLASSES AND

ESTABLISHMENT OF CSR CLUBCIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

Kvemo Kartli

CiDA

Initiative in Kvemo Kartli

Ajara

Institute of Democracy

Borjghali

Step Forward

Samtskhe-Javakheti

Union of Democrat Meskhs

Tolerant

Akhaltsikhe Youth Center

Guria

Georgian Democratic Development Union

Kakheti

Center of Regional Development

Association Spektri

Shida Kartli

Bridge of Friendship Kartlosi Society Biliki

Welfare and Development Center

Imereti

Georgian Young Lawyers Association Kutaisi

Kutaisi Information Center

Step Kharagauli

Imereti Scientists Union "Spektri

Association Union of Chiaturelians

Public Monitoring and Research Center

Tkibuli Development Fund

Racha

Fund "Abkhazinterkonti"

Self Government resource center of Racha-Lechkhumi and

Kvemo Svaneti

Samegrelo

Association Dea

Association Imedi

Movement of IDP Women for piece

Atinati

Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Stepantsminda

We for Healthy Future

Anti-Violence National Network Mtskheta-Mtianeti Committee

MEDIA ABOUT CIVIC WEEK

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CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY

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