On September 27, 2021, the representative of the Tbilisi office of the Women Fund "Sukhumi" - Ekaterine Gamakharia participated in an Information Exchange Meeting organized by the Human Security Group of the EUMM Field Office of Zugdidi.

The topics of the meeting were the ongoing "Russification process" in the Gali district, possible prohibition of learning Georgian language in the 11th graders in the lower zone of Gali district and the effectiveness of Georgian language programs initiated by the Georgian government to promote higher education for young people living in uncontrolled areas.

Ekaterine Gamakharia underlined the need to introduce free courses to help pupils to learn Georgian language and prepare students for national exams in the Gali district and the need finance these programs from the side of the Government. During the meeting, the representative of the Fund "Sukhumi" also highlighted the ineffective practice of enrolling students in the higher education system in the Gali district, which needs to change the approach.

The psychologist and the lawyer of the Fund "Sukhumi" actively worked together with the mobilizers of the Women Support Centers. Two online group meetings were held with women in Khurcha (Zugdidi municipality), individual online consultations were held with the beneficiaries from Kobuleti, Tsalenjikha and Chokhatauri.

29 women attended live meetings, which were held at the Bagdati, Senaki and Samtredia Women Support Centers.

Also: individual consultations of a psychologist and a lawyer with beneficiaries from Kutaisi, psychotherapy of violence victims in a rehabilitation center, work with members of crisis families - such an active October it was.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

October was active for the forum-theater. There are new actors in the group, new rules were established, new scenes were created, rehearsals were held, new videos were recorded.

The renovated Forum Theater presented four performances under in the open air.

Performances are held without audience, as the situation is tense due to the pandemic.

It is true that playing without audience is unusual, but nevertheless, these performances are important for the actors.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Members of the youth centers of Samtredia, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli, Vani and Bagdati municipalities actively participated in the discussions and openly spoke about the topics of conflict, violence and bullying, gave concrete examples, and named the reasons.

- Unfortunately, there are frequent cases of conflict and bullying in adults, and talking about such topics helps children not to become a victim, or vice versa - not to be Oppressors;

- Topics are very relevant and it is interesting to discuss them with you;

-I need to know how to manage conflict, protect myself and then I will not become a victim of bullying.

These were the opinions expressed by a group of young people at the end of the training. They are ready to talk about these topics with their peers, to introduce them to the situation management and defense mechanisms.

10 trainings with 223 young people selected from 10 municipalities were conducted in October.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

On October 15-25, a series of meetings were held with members of the Women Peace Coalition and other groups, interested in the project of the Fund "Sukhumi" and the Women Peace Coalition.

The next phase of the project envisages advocacy campaigns in Zugdidi Municipality on the issues identified by the Fund "Sukhumi" in terms of the needs of IDPs and conflict affected women and girls.

The participants of the meetings presented ideas, after prioritizing of which the advocacy plans will be developed and advocacy campaigns will be launched.

The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna till Kvinna,

 women’s Foundation (Sweden)

“Practice of needs research using the GREWS” - trainings for women's initiative groups in Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni and Senaki were held on this topic.

Participants received competent knowledge: how to plan and conduct interviews, focus groups, how to put questions to the respondent and obtain the necessary information. They became familiar with the risks and challenges that may arise during the research. During the training, group exercises and simulated interviews were applied. After the training, the participants will be involved in the process of needs research and will use the obtained information in practice.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

Requirement: to carry out installation of external lighting and benches on sports grounds. Koki Women Initiative Group works to address the problems identified in the community. The group members discussed what changes need to be made to the advocacy plan and what resources to include.

Zugdidi Women Initiative Group also continues the advocacy process - the members of the group are trying to clear the area near the IDP settlement from thorns and are acting according to the prescribed plan.

At a regular meeting, members of Koki youth initiative group spoke about the project "Healthy Environment for a Better Future" - how the work was conducted, what results were achieved. This was their project debut and they are very pleased.

“Success of young people begins with such projects”, mentioned one of the group members.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

The members of the youth initiative group summarized the work on the project in the eco-club.

The project participants made the following assessment: a new challenge is always useful and informative; teamwork gives a good result - I was convinced of this when working on a project; non-formal education is one of the useful tools for introducing new initiatives; I am ready for new challenges.

Women Initiative Group of the village Pakhulani has successfully completed the advocacy process that began last month. A letter was prepared to the Mayor, signatures were collected, and a majoritarian candidate joined. As a result, the problem was solved - garbage bins were placed in the village. Fund "Sukhumi" thanks Tsalenjikha City Hall for cooperation and support.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID

Strengthening the women, expanding civic activism to address local social problems, preventing domestic violence in society - these issues are an integral part of informational meetings in communities.

There are many identified problems, although there is always a way out through cooperation with various structures.

In Women Support Centers of Kobuleti, Chokhatauri, Vani, Tsalenjikha, Tkibuli, the lists of solved problems and women's stories with a positive ending have already appeared, which was achieved through interventional interference.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The Rehabilitation Center of the Fund "Sukhumi" continue the course of polymer clay. The first month of courses ends. Participants in the course learn new skills quickly and successfully. Joint products are prepared. According to them, the process of work is simple, technology is available, and therefore, learning this skill and making products from polymer clay will become a source of additional or even basic income for most women.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)