May 26 – Independence Day of Georgia. The Women Fund “Sukhumi” organized a celebration of this day at the Hotel “Argo”. Everything was impressive: a greeting from the leaders of the organization, a documentary film about Georgia, a performance by the puppet theater “turtledove”, the dance studio “Oasis”, which was founded in Kutaisi by a Ukrainian woman, songs and dances performed by Ukrainian and Georgian children, a singer and composer from Kyiv, a poetess from Berdyansk , beautiful cakes for birthday girls.

All participants were awarded with certificates of gratitude.

Group of children (from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia) take various courses at the fund “Sukhumi”. Photos were displayed in the foyer showing the work of all the courses, handmade things from polymer clay, the participants of the acting courses performed at the concert.

The event began with the Georgian national anthem and ended with the song “Mravaljamier”.

The project is implemented with the support of the Czech organization PIN

“It’s important for us to have a space where we can talk about all topics that don’t fit into the lesson format. We get to know each other’s thoughts and can share our knowledge with others. It helps to prevent conflict and violence”. - These are the words of one of the training participants.

Training courses actively continue at the Youth Empowerment Centers. Trainings on the reasons of conflicts, gender equality and stereotypes were held in Khobi and Tsalenjikha municipalities.

During the trainings, actual topics are discussed and initiated events are organized. Young people have a high interest in non-formal education and motivation to work.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The monitoring group of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” started to work on a new research, the aim of which is to study the effectiveness of existing services for victims of violence against women/domestic violence and develop recommendations for improving efficiency in order to identify necessary strategies and new approaches.

Information will be collected on existing (and/or planned) services for victims of violence against women/domestic violence. The work of service providers will be presented, the attitudes, moods and expectations of recipients/beneficiaries of services will be studied. To find best practices in this regard, the monitoring team will review various documents.

In May, 10 in-depth interviews with beneficiaries were conducted, which made it possible to study the current situation in this regard based on specific cases.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Informing the public about victim support services is an important segment of the meetings of the Women Support Centers, on the basis of which cases are identified and responded. This is where women's needs are becoming obvious. The meetings have already brought results. Specific beneficiaries have appeared who are ready to receive existing services. Based on the case analysis, they were redirected in a subsequent way. 

The meetings were held in Terjola, Bagdati, Kobuleti, Samtredia and Khobi municipalities. Violence prevention and victim identification remains the main direction of work of Women Support Centers.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Information meetings initiated by the Women Support Centers of the Fund “Sukhumi” continue in various communities. It is still important to inform the public about assistance and support services for victims of domestic violence. Women participants discuss problems of society, women's needs and look for ways of their solution.

In May, families under the crisis were identified - they will be the users of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” services. Early response to conflicts is aimed at violence prevention, which is very important. 

The meetings were held at Women Support Centers of Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Senaki, Vani and Chokhatauri.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Mastering a new profession and occupational therapy are the best methods for increasing self-esteem and motivation. The day rehabilitation center of the Women Fund “Sukhumi” often makes such beneficial changes in people's lives. Having gained knowledge, women continue to work independently.

This time, under our umbrella, a new cutting and sewing course has started in Senaki municipality. The sewing salon “MK” has become a basic center for training in practical skills and a partner of the project as it has high social responsibility.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

The training course at the Youth Empowerment Centers continued from the beginning of May. Trainings on the issues of conflict and gender-based violence were held in Zugdidi, Chokhatauri and Senaki municipalities.

Young people actively participated in the discussions – active leaders were identified. They are ready to share obtained information in their society.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt - Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (Germany)

Another meeting of the women's mutual support group in Vani ended with a good result - the problem of one of the victims of domestic violence was solved. After our meetings, she became stronger, there was constructive cooperation with the local government - all this helped to solve the problem and gave the group motivation that the condition of many women will improve.

Members of Zugdidi and Chokhatauri women groups became active. Women mutual support group of Kobuleti in cooperation with the Gender Equality Council solved the problem of one of the participants, which seemed to be very difficult to them. Terjola group actively participated in grant competitions, the members of the group have great support from the Fund "Sukhumi" and the local self-government.

The project assistant held meetings in Chokhatauri, Tskaltubo, Zugdidi, Kobuleti and Vani, and the group leaders held meetings in the other five municipalities.

The Women Fund “Sukhumi” has created a friendly space where children from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia spend their free time together.

In April, lessons were held in 6 courses - Georgian language, English, polymer clay, acting art, embroidery, photography and videography.

On April 17, the first two-month course in photography and videography ended and a new group began to work.

The two-month polymer clay course also ends in April. With the help of this course, children not only learn new things, but also tell each other stories, sing in Georgian, they especially like the song “Suliko.”

English and Georgian language courses are conducted productively. Children learn words, make sentences, conduct dialogues...

A meeting with the members of the group of IDP women and girls was organized in the office of the Fund "Sukhumi".

During the meeting, all the priority problems that were identified within the framework of the project in various IDP communities were discussed. The participants spoke about the work done and outlined further ways to advocate mentioned problems.

“We can openly say that we have overcome the nihilism that we had and started to work actively. We realized that we need to act to solve our problems, because no one will do this instead of us,” said one of the meeting participants.

General meetings, acquired new skills, sharing experiences with each other are great motivation for all members of the group to do more for their communities.

The project is implemented with the support of  USAID local governance program