The members of the youth initiative groupof the village Didinedzi - Zugdidi municipality once again emphasized the importance of youth involvement in peace processes. The young people realized that their role in the process of establishing peace is great. They will work in the direction of peace also next month. The members of Didinedzi women initiative group discussed the resolution of the issues that emerged during the advocacy process. Based on the advocacy plan, the initiative group will try to solve the problems using specific activities.
During the meeting the members of the youth initiative group of the village Koki - Zugdidi municipality talked about the implemented mini-projects. The leaders of the group made short reports, presented the completed works and discussed the results. The members of Koki women initiative group talked about the progress of solving the problems identified in the advocacy process. They will actively try to continue working in this direction in the coming months.
On June 28, 2024, the representative of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi" Tbilisi office participated in an international conference organized by the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia. The conference focused on "Strengthening the Participation of Women in Peace and Security Processes." The event was opened by Mr. Alexander Vinikov, Head of the NATO Liaison Office, and Mrs. Marie-Doha Besancenot, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy (remotely). Discussions covered topics such as "The Women’s Roles in Building and Sustaining Peace: International Best Practices and Local Experiences” and "Implementation of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security: Progress and Challenges in Women’s Participation."
The conference concluded with a roundtable discussion featuring reports from representatives of women’s non-governmental organizations in the South Caucasus, including Ekaterine Gamakharia, Head of the Tbilisi office of the Women’s Fund "Sukhumi." During the discussion, the speakers addressed the current challenges faced by peacebuilders in the South Caucasus and explored strategies to enhance the fulfillment of obligations related to the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda.
A working meeting of the IDP community was held in Kutaisi, in house No. 4 on 13/4 Ioseliani Street. The women informed that the issue of the problematic roof was gradually being resolved, work had begun, but the external façade and damp walls still remained a problem for them.
This time members of the initiative group, who acquire knowledge of advocacy issues after our trainings, share their experience with community members to increase civic responsibility.
Meeting participants talk about the need for unity, teamwork and preservation of common property.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The second phase of the coalition project “IDP and Conflict Affected Women and Youth for Localizing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda at the Local Level” was launched In June. The project is supported by the UN Women and resources from the the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.
During the previous project period, a network of women IDPs was created. The new project envisages strengthening and expanding the capabilities of the “Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors”. And also - support for initiatives of network members that will be aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of IDP and Conflict Affected Women and Girls, advocating for their needs and including them in relevant programs and budgets.
In order to get acquainted with the goals of the project and planned activities, information meetings were held in Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki and Zugdidi. Members of the “Network of Women and Youth Peace Ambassadors” took part in the meetings. The meetings also identified important issues of these communities.
The project is implemented with the support
of the UN Women organization
A series of information meetings, held by active members of the initiative group, continues in Kutaisi.
The construction of a mini - stadium is a problem that was identified by the IDP community living in the building of a former pharmacy on Tabukashvili Street. Women trained at the Women Fund “Sukhumi” work on this issue. They also have information about forms of civic engagement and share it with others. They have prepared a letter to submit to the City Hall and are waiting for a response. Women know that they can change their social conditions.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The second stage of the project “IDP women and girls – actors of the elaboration of needs-based local policies in Kutaisi” continues successfully.
“We managed to solve one problem, and this is the merit of the project: we equipped the entrance of the residential building, made it clean and safe. Now we are starting to advocate for the installation of benches,” mentioned IDPs living in the building of the former musical college.
Members of the initiative group who were trained in frames of our project tell others about the need for civic responsibility.
The meeting participants actively discuss actual topics and are now advocating for the issue of installing benches in the area adjacent to 58 Chavchavadze Avenue.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
Members of Kutaisi initiative group actively conduct information meetings in their community.
Now we speak about the settlement “cottages” - on Guram Gabiskiria Street, where housing and infrastructure problems were identified and advocacy began: they are already waiting for a response from the relevant departments regarding the arrangement of the road surface and water supply system.
These stages were carried out within the framework of our project. Therefore, they believe that teamwork brings better results and success.
Women living in the IDP settlement are well aware of forms of civic engagement and are trying to become more active in order to change their lives for the better.
The project is implemented with the support of USAID local governance program
The members of Kutaisi Youth Club passed training on the topic "Mediation as a Ritual of Reconciliation". The participants received information about mediation, different types of mediation and the importance of mediation, performed practical exercises related to conflict management and mediation of process. USAID representative - Giorgi Khechinashvili attended the meeting. The leader of the club introduced the activities and results of the project "Youth for Peace" to the club members and the udience. The meeting was hosted by Public School No. 6 of Abkhazia named after Zhuli Shartava. Within the format of the exchange meeting, Kutaisi and Khoni Women Initiative Groups shared information and experience with each other, talked about the problems and needs advocated by them. According to the participants, such meetings provide a good opportunity for club members to get to know each other better.
