Tbilisi, April 4, 2024 – Within the EU-funded project Empowering Civil Society to Promote Inclusive and Post-COVID Recovery CENN hosted the closing event of the Young Professionals Program (YPP) and Civil Participation Program (CPP) in Hilton Garden Inn Riverview. This initiative underscores the EU’s unwavering commitment to nurturing civil society and catalysing inclusive recovery.
The event brought together program participants from Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions, who showcased their initiatives focused on enhancing civic engagement in their communities. Guests included government representatives from national, regional, and local levels, as well as delegates from partner organisations where YPP participants completed their month-long internships.
Laurent G. E. NICOLE, Executive Director of CENN opened the event and delivered a welcome speech.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the EU for allowing us to implement such an important project which aims to support civil society to increase their democratic participation. Today’s event showcases youth initiatives that promote civic engagement and empower women and youth. These initiatives highlight the important role in fostering positive change in society. Also, I would like to express gratitude to our regional partner organisations, other national and local government representatives, grantees, and all the partners and beneficiaries for the active cooperation that enabled us to achieve important results.” – Laurent G. E. Nicole.
Following the opening remarks, the CPP working groups from Marneuli, Bolnisi, Ninotsminda, and Aspindza presented their implemented initiatives. The youth (aged 18-30) groups received financial support to develop programs in their regions promoting integration in civic processes for youth, women, and ethnic minorities.
The event continued with thematic panels led by 10 YPP participants, tackling youth and women’s empowerment alongside environmental issues. These ten young professionals from Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti completed internships at prominent Tbilisi-based civil society organisations like CENN, CTC, PMCG, CSI, ISFED, CSRDG, IRI, Caritas Czech Republic, and HEKS/EPER Georgia.
The ceremony concluded with a certificate award ceremony, recognising the achievements of all project participants.
About the European Union
For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/
The EU funds numerous projects aimed at boosting civic participation, empowering civil society organisations and promoting the inclusion of various groups, namely women, youth, and ethnic minorities. These efforts are key to building a more inclusive and equitable Georgian society, underlining the EU’s commitment to its democratic and socio-economic advancement.
About the project
The project Empowering Civil Society to Promote Inclusive and Post-COVID Recovery is a four-year-long intervention, financed by the EU and launched in January 2022. The project is implemented by CENN with partner organisations – Centre for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Kvemo Kartli Media and First European.
