On the 18th July, Fund “Sukhumi” carried out a meeting on sharing information and experience with local self-governments of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. The meeting was organized at the meeting room of the Regional Administration in Zugdidi. Local and international organizations took part in the meeting. The first meeting of the same format was carried out in Kutaisi with participation of local self-governments of Imereti region.
Representatives of Fund “Sukhumi” provided participants with the information about the project supported by the Visegrad Foundation. The project aims at advocacy for equal, inclusive and democratic governance at local level with consideration of experiences of the leading countries of Europe.
Participants were interested in the Czech experience in terms of citizens’ inclusion in equal governance at the local level; which “gender markers” are applied for analysis of a socio-demographic picture of the persons’ included in programs; Georgia’s practice on civic participation and results of cooperation between the local government, civil society groups and international organizations. Representative of PIN and UNDP shared successful practice of the projects on social inclusion.
Attendees talked about an effective mechanism – Municipal Gender Equality Councils established to promote democratic governance. Fund “Sukhumi” representatives shared their experience in institutionalization of this mechanism, and the Fund’s expertize applied by the Municipalities.
Materials of the meeting will be useful for the fulfilment of the project goals and objectives, which coincide with the declared principles of the State policy - definition of the main directions of the gender policy of the State and support for the adoption of new concepts; creation of the legislative base in the sphere of gender equality, ensuring gender development and promoting harmonization with international treaties.
The project is implemented with the support of the Visegrad Fund