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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
th th
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.
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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
Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli
Policy Forum
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli
Policy Forum
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
Tsalka, Kvemo Kartli
Volunteer Activity
Donating blood
Batumi, Adjara
Presenting CSO Activities to Public
Distributing information brochures
Batumi, Adjara
Policy Forum
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
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
Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli
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
Presenting CSO Activities to Public
Open Door Day - Citizens visiting offices of local CSOs to get
acquainted with their missions, objectives, and work
Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti
Presenting CSO Activities to Public
Distributing information brochures
Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti
Policy Forum
Topic: Civil Society development perspectives in Georgia and
US examples Presentation by Peace Corps volunteers
Ozurgeti, Guria
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
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
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
Kazbegi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of national business
companies with their regional counterparts and CSOs
Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli
Volunteer Activity
Clean-up and socializing activities at Retirement Homes
Ozurgeti, Guria
Policy Forum
Topic: Key concerns of citizens in Telavi district
Telavi, Kakheti
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge
developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and Development
(CIPDD)
Rustavi, Kvemo Kartli
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
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge
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
Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti
Presenting CSO Activities to Public
Distributing information brochures
Gori, Shida Kartli
Volunteer Activity
Helping socially vulnerable families with Spring agricultural works
Tsageri, Racha Leckhumi
Policy Forum
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
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
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
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
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
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
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Corporate social responsibility initiatives Meeting of national
business companies with their regional counterparts and CSOs
Kutaisi, Imereti
Policy Forum
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
Mtskheta, Mtskheta Mtianeti
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge
developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and
Development (CIPDD)
Akhaltsikhe, Samtskhe-Javakheti
Presenting CSO Activities to Public
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
Topic: Discussion of Regional Development Strategic Plan
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
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge
developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and
Development (CIPDD)
Gori, Shida-Kartli
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Presentation of the interactive website www.shenmartav.ge
developed by Caucasus Institute for Peace Democracy and
Development (CIPDD)
Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
Topic: Project implemented in Tkibuli kindergarten on solar energy
consumption
Tkibuli, Imereti
Best Practice and Innovation Event (BPIE)
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
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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
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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
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8CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) MASTERCLASSES AND
ESTABLISHMENT OF CSR CLUBCIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY
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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
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MEDIA ABOUT CIVIC WEEK
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CIVIC WEEK18-28 MAY
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