The second phase of the Civil Participation Program, a six-month initiative as part of the EU-supported “Empowering Civil Society to Promote Inclusive and Post-COVID Recovery” project, has successfully concluded.
The program engaged youth (aged 18-30) from Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions. Following a civic education camp last summer, participants developed project ideas tackling social issues. Finally, with guidance from thematic mentors, four outstanding proposals received grants of 1,500 GEL each.
From October 2023 to January 2024, activist groups from 4 municipalities (Aspindza, Bolnsini, Marneuli, and Ninotsminda) implemented projects.
Aspindza
The “Employ Women” project addressed unemployment among ethnic minority women in Damala (Aspindze) and Tskruti (Akhaltsikhe) villages. Project meetings, attended by 70 women aged 18-45, featured guest speakers from the employment agency, Akhaltsikhe’s gender council, and a psychologist. Participants received career advice and learned about employment opportunities. Many expressed a willingness to learn the state language and signed up for the courses offered by the employment agency.
Bolnisi
The “Voice of Youth for Peace” project was implemented in Bolnisi Municipality, Kazreti Town, Kvemo Bolnisi Village and Khachini Village. The project fostered cooperation between Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani youth living in rural areas and overcoming stereotypes caused by cultural differences. Through workshops on individualism, acceptance, cultural stereotypes, and other related topics, the project reached an average of 50 young people aged 14-29.
Marneuli
The “Strong Connection Perfects the Future” project promoted the social integration of Azerbaijani and Georgian youth (aged 12-18) in Lezhbadin and Shulaveri villages of Marneuli municipality. Meetings raised awareness about educational programs beyond the school and addressed gender and cultural stereotypes. More than 60 schoolchildren attended the meetings.
Ninotsminda
The “I am part of the community” project, implemented in Didi Khanchali, Patara Gondrio, and Eshtia villages, focused on building an inclusive environment. Around 50 young people were trained in inclusive education and advocacy for creating an adapted environment for people with disabilities. The project also created a social media page for wider information dissemination and published a trilingual article in local media.
The project Empowering Civil Society to Promote Inclusive and Post-COVID Recovery is a four-year-long intervention, financed by the EU was launched in January 2022. The project is implemented by CENN in cooperation with partner organizations Centre for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Kvemo Kartli Media (KKM), and First European (FE).