Ozurgeti, February 7, 2025 – Within the EU-funded “Green Guria project, CENN and the Young Pedagogues’ Union hosted the final stage of the Guria Schools Ideathon at Ozurgeti Technopark.
Representatives of schools and partner organisations attended the event.
The final stage of the Ideathon, supported by, aimed the European Union, the German foundation Brot für die Welt, and Global Platforms Georgia—the event aimed to enhance the engagement of young people living in Guria in social and economic activities.
“Today’s Ideathon proves that the European Union’s support for young people in Georgia remains unwavering. We are committed to continuing our support, particularly in regions, to empower youth and foster their creativity and innovation. The EU values the potential of young people as key drivers of positive change and sustainable development. Initiatives like this provide them with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to shape their future and contribute to the prosperity of their communities.”- said Ketevan Khutsishvili, Programme Manager for Emergency Management, Civil Protection, Rural Development, and Intellectual Property at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia
The initiative commenced in October with a registration call, and all registered schools were invited to participate. The Ideathon welcomed school representatives from Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, and Chokhatauri, encompassing participants from school years 8–12. Before the culminating event, school teams received personalised mentorship from members of the Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) and the private sector to refine and shape their ideas. These teams collaborated with their mentors to develop their projects in preparation for the final competition.
“This event was made possible through the EU’s support and the joint efforts of our partner organisations, for which I am truly grateful. This is not just a competition – it is an opportunity for young people to present ideas that will bring real change to their communities. Initiatives like this shape future leaders and pave the way for progress. They foster a sustainable and development-oriented society that provides young people with real opportunities. We believe that this victory is not just about financial support but represents the first major step toward innovation and transformation,” said Nino Gafrindashvili, Deputy Executive Director of CENN and Project Manager of “Green Guria.”
The initiative commenced in October with a registration call, and all registered schools were invited to participate. The Ideathon welcomed school representatives from Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, and Chokhatauri, encompassing participants from school years 8–12. Before the culminating event, school teams received personalised mentorship from members of the Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti Local Action Groups (LAGs) and the private sector to refine and shape their ideas. These teams collaborated with their mentors to develop their projects in preparation for the final competition.
At the final event, a jury of professionals from CENN, Global Platform Georgia, and the Young Teachers’ Union selected the best projects. Nine winning schools were announced:
From Ozurgeti Municipality:
- Baileti Public School
- Ozurgeti N2 Public School, team “Restart”
- Narudji Public School
- Meria Public School
- Ozurgeti N4 Public School, team “Stand Plan Guria”
From Chokhatauri Municipality:
- Guturi Public School
- Niko Mari N1 Public School
From Lanchkhuti Municipality:
- Lanchkhuti N3 Public School
- Lanchkhuti N1 Public School
The winning schools focused on topics addressing community needs and sustainability efforts. The selected projects cover sustainability, environmental protection, and education, including the revival of reed weaving, bicycle-powered energy solutions, aeroponic gardening, waste recycling, tourism development, landslide prevention, eco-friendly education kits, STEM labs, and composting awareness.
The winning schools received a €1,000 grant from the European Union and Global Platforms Georgia to implement their projects. The Niko Ketskhoveli School Competition also awarded two outstanding schools—Gurianeti and Nagomari Public Schools—500 GEL vouchers for purchasing technical equipment.
“The Youth Initiative Competition “Ideathon” is a powerful platform that provides young people with the opportunity to develop and present innovative solutions to existing societal challenges. It fosters leadership, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills while promoting cross-sector collaboration and civic engagement. By addressing real-life issues such as climate change, social inclusion, community development, and digital innovation, the competition encourages meaningful dialogue and action. Additionally, it facilitates networking by bringing together mentors, NGOs, and donor organizations, helping to transform ideas into sustainable projects. Ultimately, such competitions inspire long-term youth engagement and empower proactive young changemakers who drive social progress.” — Nona Sadraze, Youth Component Manager at the Young Pedagogues’ Union.
Schools have three weeks to implement their projects, fostering environmental awareness, sustainability practices, and student engagement while contributing to economic and tourism growth in local communities.
“We are glad that we have had the opportunity to support young people living in Guria and contribute to the realisation of their ideas. The Global Platforms Georgia project, which was established last year in Guria, specifically in Ozurgeti, with the support of CENN and YPU, aims to support the democratic engagement of young people, strengthen their capabilities, promote youth initiatives, and raise awareness of informal education. Together with our partner, the Young Teachers’ Union, we plan to implement many significant initiatives in Guria this year as well, aimed at empowering young people.” said Levan Gagoshvili, representative of Global Platforms Georgia.
About the Project
The Green Guria project, which supports local democracy and rural development for inclusive and sustainable green growth, is being implemented in the three municipalities of the Guria region—Ozurgeti, Chokhatauri, and Lanchkhuti—with the financial support of the European Union. As part of the project, local action groups in these municipalities were formed in 2023. The project is implemented by CENN in partnership with the Young Pedagogues’ Union, the Institute of Democracy, and the Local Action Group of Keda (LAG). The project’s goal is to reduce poverty and improve the economic and social environment, as well as the living conditions of vulnerable communities, through civic engagement, inclusive rural development, and green growth.
This material has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CENN and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.