Duration: 2022-2025
Geographic area: Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti Regions, Georgia
Implemented by: CENN
Consortium Members: Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC),
Kvemo Kartli Media (KKM),
First European (FE)
Donor: European Union
The coronavirus-induced pandemic has made more visible the challenges and social inequalities within social and healthcare systems in Georgia’s vulnerable regions. The spread of the virus had a significant impact on the multiethnic regions of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti, where existing inequalities became even more pronounced. In addition, the coronavirus sharply deteriorated the quality of social service delivery in socially vulnerable communities.
Experience has demonstrated the crucial importance of a strong local civil society in crisis management, participation in policy-making processes, and the provision of rights-based social services. A strong local civil society ensures equal access to social services, particularly for people living in vulnerable and marginalized communities. Despite the active support of international donors for the development of civil society in Georgia, the involvement of civil society organizations in governance and policy-making remains low.
To improve access to social services and strengthen the capacities of ethnic minorities, it is especially important to stimulate participatory processes and foster joint efforts by civil society organizations and local authorities. This approach lays the foundation for broad democratic ownership, which is essential for effectively addressing existing challenges and problems.
The project operated for four years in eight municipalities across the regions of Kvemo Kartli (Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Dmanisi, Gardabani, Bolnisi, Tsalka) and Samtskhe-Javakheti (Akhaltsikhe, Ninotsminda). Its objective was to promote the engagement and cooperation of civil society organizations and local self-government bodies through:
strengthening the capacities of the civil and public sectors; and
effectively addressing existing challenges in the field of social services.
The project was based on the vision that a strong and competent civil society, supported by the state as the primary provider of social services, contributes to independent economic development and resilience within communities.
Human rights
protection and civil
society development
- Capacity development of civil society organizations: strengthening the knowledge and skills of 10 civil society organizations in Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti through trainings, mentoring, and the sharing of experiences, including international best practices (such as the organization of international study tours and exchange visits);
- Young Professionals Program (YPP): empowering motivated local youth through cooperation with nationally operating organizations, facilitating the exchange of experience and best practices through internships;
- Promoting civic engagement of youth and women’s groups in the development and delivery of social services: implementing civic education camps and awareness-raising campaigns for youth and women;
- Implementation of communication and awareness-raising campaigns, including increased engagement of the media.
Participatory
and inclusive
governance
- Mobilization of civil society members into a Regional Social Services Alliance to develop relevant recommendations and support their subsequent implementation aimed at improving social and healthcare services;
- Establishment of partnership groups between civil society organizations and local self-government bodies to improve existing social services and co-create new services through participatory approaches;
- Capacity development of local self-government bodies, including on human rights–based approaches;
- Financial support for civil society organizations, social service providers, and graduates of the Young Professionals Program to implement initiatives focused on improving the quality of existing social services, introducing new social services, and increasing access to services;
- Implementation of innovative pilot initiatives jointly initiated by civil society and local authorities, aimed at promoting the introduction of participatory democracy practices.
Result 1: In the regions of Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti, the capacities of civil society— including civil society organizations—were strengthened, making a significant contribution to improving the quality and accessibility of social services;
Result 2: Participatory mechanisms were established in the target municipalities, ensuring the participatory development and introduction of new social services;
Result 3: Through financial support, the capacities of local stakeholders were strengthened and expanded. In particular, the financial sustainability of local civil society organizations was supported, and as a result of the implemented initiatives, the quality of social services and access to them were improved through the use of participatory and innovative approaches.
Read more about reuslts in project’s catalogue.