"Say No To Violence - Be Active" - this is the name of the project of Khurcha / Koki Women's Support Center (Zugdidi Municipality), funded in the small grant competition of the fund “Sukhumi”. The project has already started: information meetings with authorized persons of the villages of Zugdidi municipality were held. They received information about the activities of the project. Representatives of local self-government expressed their readiness for cooperation.

The project is implemented with the support of the organization Brot

 für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)

On May 4 in women support center of Kutaisi, On May in WSC of Senaki and on May 11, in WSC of Khurcha (Zugidi Municipality) there were held psychological group consultations, attended by 40 women from 25 to 67 years old.

The mein issue of these meetings was a model of famiy communication, formation of inner family communication – first of all stable relation between couples.

The issue was interesting for the participants. They gave many examples and received useful consultations.

The lawyer of the Fund "Sukhumi" held 12 meetings in Kutaisi, with IDPs and local population. Women's interest in the problem of domestic violence was highlighted. Individual legal advice was given regarding the divorce and receipt of alimony. There was a beneficiary of the risk group. The case of the beneficiary was presented to the Interdepartmental Council and she was granted the victim status. The National Network for Protection Against Violence joined the process, which ensured the transfer of the beneficiary to the shelter and offered the necessary services - education and employment.

Youth clubs of schools in the villages Nosiri (Senaki municipality), Koki (Zugdidi municipality) and school No. 5 - Kutaisi, discussed the topic of tolerance. They made an interesting analysis about the lack of tolerance, traditions, mixed families and their problems.

After the meetings, the teenagers prepared essays and videos, which were posted on Facebook page of the Fund "Sukhumi".

The problem of tolerance was the main topic during online meetings with members of the Youth Clubs of the schools in the villages Pakhulani (Tsalenjikha municipality), Gurianta (Ozurgeti municipality) and Hajalia (Lanchkhuti municipality). The children spoke about religious and ethnic issues, and their tolerant attitude was shown. It was noted that discussing the topic of tolerance is necessary for adolescents, since tolerance reduces violence.

In December, 4 more workshops were held with the members of the Conflict Management Group of Kutaisi Georgian-American School "Progress", Menji (Senaki Municipality), Melauri (Samtredia Municipality) and Kveda Simoneti (Terjola Municipality) Public Schools. The topic of the workshops was "Possible Results of Conflict and Conflict Styles".

Participants were introduced to 5 styles of behavior in conflict situations. They noted that they look forward to online meetings, take into account the advice of the conflict expert and share it with friends.

Online workshops on the topic “Possible results of conflict and styles of behavior in a conflict situation” were held with members of the conflict management group of schools in the villages Gurianta (Ozurgeti municipality), Koki (Zugdidi municipality) and school No. 4 in Poti.

This information was new and unfamiliar to the participants. They understood the meaning of win-win, win-loss, and loss-win. At the end of the meetings, the teenagers mentioned:

"You explain so clearly that everything becomes clear."

"I am looking forward to your SMS about a time of our meeting."

In December, work with the boys was held online. The trainer of the Fund "Sukhumi" contacted the schools of the municipalities of Terjola, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, Kutaisi, Senaki, Poti, Lanchkhuti. There were group and individual meetings. The Zoom platform showed videos on child protection, bullying and tolerance. The meetings lasted longer than planned, because the boys always have a lot of questions, and there are discussions. The January meetings are already planned - the boys will be active again.

“Potential Consequences of Conflict and Styles of Behavior in a Conflict Situation” - this topic was discussed at online workshops with members of the conflict management group schools of the village Khajhalia (Lanchkhuti municipality), school No. 2 - village Liya (Tsalenjikha municipality) and school No. 5 in Kobuleti.

The participants learned the meaning of win-win, win-loss and loss-win, in what situation the concretet style is acceptable, how to avoid a conflict situation, when to compromise or cooperate.

They noted that these issues were an innovation for them, and the conflict experts explained everything in detail. The members are waiting for the next online meeting to learn more about this actual topic.

Topic: the problem of tolerance among adolescents. This issue was discussed during online meeting with 4 Youth Clubs (school No.1 Poti, No.5 Kobuleti, No.2 Terjola and the school of the village Etseri - Samtredia municipality).

The participants actively participated in the meeting. They talked about ethnic, religious and racial problems, about mixed families, about the aggression of society towards “different ones”.

A kind of exchange meeting was held - Poti and Kobuleti Youth Clubs "met" in the online space. The stories of the participants about tolerance, about students who are of a different nationality or faith were interesting. Such meetings make adolescents think, and changes their attitude towards actual problems.