Report on the Implementation of 2019 Action Plan of the State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Report on the Implementation of 2019 Action Plan of the State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 2019 ACTION PLAN OF THE STATE STRATEGY FOR CIVIC EQUALITY AND INTEGRATION Tbilisi 2020 1 Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Address: N 7, Ingorokva Str., Tbilisi, 0114 Tel.: (+99532)2923299;(+99532)2922632 Web-page : www.smr.gov.ge E-mail: [email protected] 2 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Strategic goal 1 .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Equal and Full Participation in Civic and Political Life .......................................................................................... 4 Strategic goal 2 ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Providing Equal Social and Economic Conditions and Opportunities ................................................................ 25 Strategic goal 3 ........................................................................................................................................................ 32 Providing access to high quality education and improving the knowledge of the state language ..................... 32 Strategic goal 4 ....................................................................................................................................................... 39 Preserving the Culture of Ethnic Minorities and Encouraging Tolerant Environment ..................................... 39 Competition “Promoting Creative Activities to Maintain the Identity of Ethnic Minorities” was held. 10 project proposals were submitted and 6 winners revealed. The total budget of projects amounted to 98 846 GEL. ........ 42 3 Introduction Georgia is a multi-ethnic country where the representatives of ethnic miorities (apart from Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/ South Ossetia) make up 13.2% of the country’s population. The main priority of the Georgian government is the protection of the identity of ethnic minorities residing in Georgia and supporting the process of their civic integration. The key instrument of the policy of civic integration is the “State Strategy for Civic Equlity and Integration and Action Plan for 2015-2020 ”. The strategy is based on the approach “More diversity, more integration” and is aimed at ensuring political and civic participation; providing equal social and economic conditions and opportunities for ethnic minority representatives; increasing the access to high quality education and improving the knowledge of the state language ; encouraging cultural diversity and its promotion. The Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civic Equality coordinates the elaboration, implementation and accountability of the “State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration and its Action Plan”. Specific activities, programs, and projects envisaged by the Strategy were implemented during 2019. The document, which has been prepared with the coordination of the Office of the State Minister reflects the information about the implemented activities of 2019 Action Plan (January-December) within the scope of the State Strategy for Civic Equality and Integration. Strategic goal 1 Equal and Full Participation in Civic and Political Life The above strategic goal includes the following priorities: Improving the involvement of ethnic minority representatives at central, as well as local levels; Participation of ethnic minority representatives in the decision-making process; Ensuring full and equal participation of ethnic minority representatives in such political processes as elections; Ensuring civic engagement by improving mechanisms of accessibility to information and media, social services, state administration and law-enforcement bodies ; Supporting small and vulnerable ethnic minorities; Provide support to ethnic minority women’s rights and their empowerment. 4 Interim goal -1.1. Supporting small and vulnerable ethnic minorities Objective – 1.1.1 Developing and implementing policy for small and vulnerable ethnic minorities The objective covers the following directions: Protection of the identity of small ethnic groups; Ensuring registration procedures for the Roma population; Involvement of Roma youth in the educational system. Protection of rights of small and vulnerable ethnic minority groups and support of their full integration is the most significant objective of civic integration which is being implemented by line ministries. During 2019, certain public schools continued providing classes to teach their native languages (Ossetian, Chechen, Avar, Udi and Assyrian) to small ethnic minority representatives. Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia has implemented the following activities with the purpose of involvement of the Roma population in the educational system: Adolescents from Roma community have been actively participating in an inter-agency and inter- sectorial working meetings organized for enhancing their well-being; LEPL -N5 Public School in Kobuleti supports social engagement of Roma youth through informal “social inclusion” program for elementary (8-11 year olds) and senior (11-15 year olds) class pupils. The school runs reading (attended by 12 Roma and 8 local peers), dancing (with 8 Roma and 7 local peers) and drama (7 Roma and 8 local peers) clubs. The above activities have been instrumental for improving the knowledge of the state language, which has positively impacted their academic performance; Inclusion of the so called “invisible” Roma adolescents into the educational process and the assessment by multidisciplinary team was carried out through informal education in 2017-2019. They have been studying at the basic level with a specially devised individual plan; In 2018-2019, Public Schools of Zugdidi and Poti, within the scope of a grants competition, offered field trainings to beneficiaries of sub-program, where Roma adolescents from different regions of Georgia and their peers were given the opportunity to share information about Roma community culture and their everyday life; 65 adolescents from Roma community were involved in projects funded in the framework of the sub program of inclusion during the year. 8 Roma representatives were employed (as coordinators of Roma community under social inclusion program, among them 1 as a dance teacher, 1 as a mail delivery agent, and 1 was employed in a private sector for a short-term job (seasonal job). Besides, the Ministry is working to provide the second chance of education for children living and working on the streets, including Roma children, who are left without education. More specifically, the Ministry provides a special educational service (transit programs) for adolescents who are left without schooling or are at high risk of staying without school education for their integration-reintegration on the basis of day care centers for homeless children or other care services. 1.1.1.1. Carrying out various activities within a framework of Coordination Council of Ethnic Minorities under Tbilisi Municipality City Assembly 5 Coordination Council of Ethnic Minorities under Tbilisi Municipality City Assembly carried out various activities and meetings with the participation of ethnic minority representatives, including the event dedicated to “Nowruz Bayram” (hosting about 200 guests) 1.1.1.2 Rendering assistance in arranging identification documents of ethnic minority representatives living in Batumi in the framework of the “House of Friendship” activities. During 2019, the “House of Friendship” within its competence, rendered the assistance to 35 beneficiaries from ethnic minorities who were in need of help in arranging identification documents, as well as the problems related to property registration, getting information about issuing visas to foreign countries, informational support regarding private entrepreneurial activities. Besides, on the requests of representatives of ethnic minorities, various documents compiled in non-state languages have been translated into the official state language and certified by the Notary Office. As well as, documents have been translated from Georgian language into other languages, as required. 1.1.1.3 Providing access to information on municipal programs for ethnic minority representatives living in Batumi In order to improve ethnic minority representatives’ involvement at a local level, beneficiaries of the “House of Friendship” have actively been taking part in public presentation of 2019 budget and in public discussions on 2020 budget. On January 22, 2019, the representatives of Batumi municipality held a meeting with ethnic minority representatives to familiarize them with 2019 budget. The meeting was attended by 20 representatives of 9 ethnic groups (Azerbaijani, Greek, Jewish, Turkish, Yazidis, Russian, Armenian, Ukrainian). Participants discussed the issues of financing cultural events planned for 2019, where they expressed the idea of promoting ethnic diversity of Batumi during the celebration of “Batumoba”. As a result, one of the central events held in Batumi Boulevard during 2019 “Batumoba” was the pageantry called “Friendship Alley”. On October 15, 2019 a meeting for the representatives
Recommended publications
  • The Integration of National Minorities in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli Provinces of Georgia Wheatley, Jonathan
    www.ssoar.info The integration of national minorities in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli provinces of Georgia Wheatley, Jonathan Arbeitspapier / working paper Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Wheatley, J. (2009). The integration of national minorities in the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli provinces of Georgia. (ECMI Working Paper, 44). Flensburg: European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI). https://nbn-resolving.org/ urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-106949 Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Dieser Text wird unter einer Deposit-Lizenz (Keine This document is made available under Deposit Licence (No Weiterverbreitung - keine Bearbeitung) zur Verfügung gestellt. Redistribution - no modifications). We grant a non-exclusive, non- Gewährt wird ein nicht exklusives, nicht übertragbares, transferable, individual and limited right to using this document. persönliches und beschränktes Recht auf Nutzung dieses This document is solely intended for your personal, non- Dokuments. Dieses Dokument ist ausschließlich für commercial use. All of the copies of this documents must retain den persönlichen, nicht-kommerziellen Gebrauch bestimmt. all copyright information and other information regarding legal Auf sämtlichen Kopien dieses Dokuments müssen alle protection. You are not allowed to alter this document in any Urheberrechtshinweise und sonstigen Hinweise auf gesetzlichen way, to copy it for public or commercial purposes, to exhibit the Schutz beibehalten werden. Sie dürfen dieses Dokument document in public, to perform, distribute or otherwise use the nicht in irgendeiner Weise abändern, noch dürfen Sie document in public. dieses Dokument für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke By using this particular document, you accept the above-stated vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, aufführen, vertreiben oder conditions of use. anderweitig nutzen. Mit der Verwendung dieses Dokuments erkennen Sie die Nutzungsbedingungen an.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Cases on Restriction of Religious Freedoms and Discrimination
    Overview of Cases on Restriction of Religious Freedoms and Discrimination The present report was prepared in the framework of the project – “Increasing Access to Justice for დოკუმენტი მომზადებულია პროექტის „მართლმსაჯულების ხელმისაწვდომობის გაძლიერება Discriminated Religious Communities“ - financed by the program “Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia დისკრიმინირებული რელიგიური თემებისთვის” ფარგლებში, რომელიც ხორციელდება (PROLoG) implemented by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI). ამერიკის შეერთებული შტატების საერთაშორისო განვითარების სააგენტოს (USAID) მხარდაჭერით, აღმოსავლეთ - დასავლეთის მართვის ინსტიტუტის (EWMI)-ის პროგრამის The report is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the US Agency for „კანონის უზენაესობის მხარდაჭერა საქართველოში“ (PROLoG) ფარგლებში. International Development (USAID). Responsibility for the content of the report lies entirely with the authors.მიმოხილვაში Views expressedგამოთქმული in this მოსაზრება publication შესაძლოაdo not necessarily არ გამოხატავდეს reflect the viewsUSAID of -theის U.Sპოზიციას Government. orშესაბამისად United States, USAID Agency არ forარის International პასუხისმგებელი Development. მასალის შინაარსზე. ხელმძღვანელი: თამთა მიქელაძე ავტორები: მარიამ ბეგაძე, ეთო გვრიტიშვილი, ქეთი ჩუთლაშვილი რედაქტორი: ლაშა ქავთარაძე დიზაინერი: თორნიკე ლორთქიფანიძე გარეკანი: სალომე ლაცაბიძე აკრძალულია აქ მოყვანილი მასალების გადაბეჭდვა, გამრავლება ან გავრცელება კომერციული მიზნით, ცენტრის წერილობითი ნებართვის გარეშე. ადამიანის უფლებების სწავლებისა და მონიტორინგის ცენტრი (EMC) მისამართი:
    [Show full text]
  • USAID Zrda to Launch Small Grants Program in the Akhmeta Municipality
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 5, 2018 For additional information: Keti Rekhviashvili, Communications Manager Phone: 032 222 74 95 Email: [email protected] USAID Zrda to Launch Small Grants Program in the Akhmeta Municipality Akhmeta, Kakheti region - On February 5, 2018, USAID/Georgia Economic Growth Office Director Veronica Lee joined Akhmeta Municipality Head Ioseb Karumashvili, to meet with local communities and launch a Small Grants Program, initiated by USAID’s Zrda Activity. The Small Grants program is designed for nine target communities of the Akhmeta municipality (city Akhmeta, Kvemo Alvani, Zemo Alvani, Matani, Sakobiano, Duisi, Jokolo, Khalatsani and Omalo) to support business development through small grants assistance to micro and small enterprises. Within the Program, Zrda plans to award up to 60 grants for agriculture and tourism development activities in target communities. At least 35% of total project value is requested as a leverage from an entrepreneur. The Small Grants Program will build upon and diversify Zrda’s ongoing activities in the communities of the Akhmeta municipality. Through its agriculture interventions, Zrda established five 100-sq. m. greenhouse demonstration plots for seedling- and vegetable production, and today local farmers have an access to agriculture development programs offered by the government and international organizations. In tourism sector, Zrda supported guesthouse owners to boost their incomes through improving their marketing skills and helping them join well-known, international
    [Show full text]
  • RBMP SEA Report ENG FINAL
    European Union Water Initiative Plus for Eastern Partnership Countries (EUWI+) STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) OF THE DRAFTALAZANI-IORI RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN SEA Report November 2020 2 This SEA report was prepared by the national SEA team established for the pilot project “The Application of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Draft Alazani-Iori River Basin Management Plan” (hereinafter also the SEA pilot project): Ms. Elina Bakradze (water and soil quality aspects), Ms. Anna Rukhadze (biodiversity, habitats and protected areas), Ms. Lela Serebryakova (health related aspects), Mr. Giorgi Guliashvili (hydrology and natural hazards), Mr. Davit Darsavelidze (socio-economic aspects), Mr. Irakli Kobulia (cultural heritage aspects and GIS) and the UNECE national consultant Ms. Irma Melikishvili (the team leader also covering climate change aspects), under the guidance and supervision of the UNECE international consultant Mr. Martin Smutny. Maps: The thematic maps presented in the SEA Report are produced by Mr. Irakli Kobulia on the basis of the GIS database provided by the EUWI + programme. The SEA Report also includes maps developed in the framework of the EUWI + programme (under result 2) by the REC Caucasus, subcontractor of the EUWI+ programme. The SEA pilot project was carried out under the supervision of Mr. Alisher Mamadzhanov, the EUWI+ programme leader from UNECE with the support provided by Ms. Christine Kitzler and Mr. Alexander Belokurov, UNECE and Ms. Eliso Barnovi, the EUWI+ Country Representative
    [Show full text]
  • Georgia Historical and Environmental Route
    Georgia Historical and Environmental route: Samtskhe - Javakheti 1. Depart from Bavra (Armenia) and arrival to Samtshke-Javakheti Transboundary protected area and Ramsar site 2. Kumudo Dome Church, 964 AD., Kurmodo Village (Akhalkalaki Municipality) 3. Vardzia Cave City, XII-XIII Century, Tmogvi Village (Aspindza Municipality) 4. Kertvisi Castle 5. Sapara Monastery, X; XII-XIV Century, Greli Village (Akhaltsikhe Municipality) 6. Atskuri Virgin Mary Church, Middle Centuries, Atskuri Village 7. Atskuri Prision, X-XIV Century, Atskuri Village (Akhaltsikhe Municipality) 8. Vale Virgin Mary Church, X Century, Vale Village (Akhaltsikhe Municipality) 9. Akhaltsike Archeological Museum 10. Green Monastery Church, IX-XIV Century, Likani Village (Borjomi Municipality) 11. Tabatskuri Red Church, Middle Centuries, Tabatskuri Village 12. Ktsia-Tabtskuri Proteced Areas 13. Timotesubani, 1204 A.D., Timotesubani Village (Borjormi Municipality) 14. Kharagauli National Park (Borjormi Municipality) 15. Ubisa Monastery, IX- XII Century, Ubisa Village (Kharagauli Municipality) 16. Tsromi cathedral, 626-635 A.D., Tsromi Village (Kashuri municipality) 17. Tskhisis’natlismcemli Church, 1002 A.D., Tskhisi Village (Kashuri municipality) 18. Kashuri (Nazuki bakers) (Tkibuli municipality) Imereti 19. Bagrati Cathedral, 1003 A.D., Ukimerioni Hill, Kutaisi 20. Gelati Monastery, XII Century, Gelati Village (UNESCO Cultural Heritage site) (Tkiuli Municipality) 21. Martyr’s Monastery, VII-XIX Century, Mitsameta Village 22. Vani Archeological Museum (Kolkheti expedition) 23. Sataplia and Promethe cave protected area Dinosaurs path 24. Tsivi and Tsia archeological excavation Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti 25. Zugdidi City 26. Proposed UNESCO Natural World Heritage and Ramsar sites - Colchis - Country of Argonauts (Medea and Aieti), habitat of Phasianus colchicus NATURE 2000 and Emerald Network species and habitat 27. Martvili monastery, VII Century, Martveli (Martveli Muncipality) 28.
    [Show full text]
  • Azerbaijani Settlements of the Gardabani Municipality
    Unknown Suburbs: Azerbaijani Settlements of the Gardabani Municipality 2020 POLICY STUDY Unknown Suburbs: Azerbaijani Settlements of the Gardabani Municipality Aleksandre Kvakhadze POLICY STUDY 2020 Introduction Since declaring its independence, the Georgian state has been struggling with the integration of its ethnic minorities. The regions densely populated by ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians have been passively involved in the social and political processes in Georgia. The combination of the legacy of Soviet ‘national policy,’ an ineffective educational system and socio-economic problems hinder the integration of these regions. This paper will be devoted to the Gardabani municipality, an administrative entity with a significant Azerbaijani population. Several factors have determined the choice of this region for this study. Firstly, geographically speaking, the region represents a suburban area of the cities of Tbilisi and Rustavi. It can be considered as a part of ‘greater Tbilisi/Rustavi’ or a ‘Tbilisi-Rustavi agglomeration.’ Secondly, despite its proximity to Georgia’s political and economic center, the Azerbaijani community in this region has been leading a parallel life and is disconnected from the country’s social and political dynamics. Simultaneously, very little is known about this region and very little research has been carried out on its multi-ethnic population. Unlike the neighboring Marneuli municipality, which has been receiving increasing attention from academia, the media and the non-governmental sector, the Azerbaijani population in Garbadani remains neglected by academic and non-governmental bodies. For instance, there is no comprehensive academic research on the linguistic, historical, ethnologic, social and religious parameters of Azerbaijanis in Gardabani. The absence of reliable works leads to myths and uncertainties regarding Georgia’s Azerbaijanis.
    [Show full text]
  • Georgian Country and Culture Guide
    Georgian Country and Culture Guide მშვიდობის კორპუსი საქართველოში Peace Corps Georgia 2017 Forward What you have in your hands right now is the collaborate effort of numerous Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, who researched, wrote and edited the entire book. The process began in the fall of 2011, when the Language and Cross-Culture component of Peace Corps Georgia launched a Georgian Country and Culture Guide project and PCVs from different regions volunteered to do research and gather information on their specific areas. After the initial information was gathered, the arduous process of merging the researched information began. Extensive editing followed and this is the end result. The book is accompanied by a CD with Georgian music and dance audio and video files. We hope that this book is both informative and useful for you during your service. Sincerely, The Culture Book Team Initial Researchers/Writers Culture Sara Bushman (Director Programming and Training, PC Staff, 2010-11) History Jack Brands (G11), Samantha Oliver (G10) Adjara Jen Geerlings (G10), Emily New (G10) Guria Michelle Anderl (G11), Goodloe Harman (G11), Conor Hartnett (G11), Kaitlin Schaefer (G10) Imereti Caitlin Lowery (G11) Kakheti Jack Brands (G11), Jana Price (G11), Danielle Roe (G10) Kvemo Kartli Anastasia Skoybedo (G11), Chase Johnson (G11) Samstkhe-Javakheti Sam Harris (G10) Tbilisi Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Workplace Culture Kimberly Tramel (G11), Shannon Knudsen (G11), Tami Timmer (G11), Connie Ross (G11) Compilers/Final Editors Jack Brands (G11) Caitlin Lowery (G11) Conor Hartnett (G11) Emily New (G10) Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Compilers of Audio and Video Files Keti Chikovani (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator, PC Staff) Irakli Elizbarashvili (IT Specialist, PC Staff) Revised and updated by Tea Sakvarelidze (Language and Cross-Culture Coordinator) and Kakha Gordadze (Training Manager).
    [Show full text]
  • Adjara, Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti
    PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT IN THE REGIONS OF GEORGIA Adjara, Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti 2020 Pre-election environment in the regions of Georgia (Adjara, Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti) HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER NGO HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER (HRC) was established on December 10, 1996 in Tbilisi. The objectives of HRC is to strengthen the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and to promote peace processes in Georgia. In order to achieve the above objectives it is of utmost importance that the awareness of the public is raised and human rights are observed, further the government respects the rule of law and principles of transparency and distribution of power and ensures the elimination of discrimination at all levels. HRC is a member to the following international networks: International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH); www.fidh.org World Organization Against Torture (OMCT - SOS Network - Torture); www.omct.org Human Rights House Network www.humanrightshouse.org Coalition of NGOs for the International Criminal Court (CICC); www.coalitionfortheicc.org Pre-election environment in the regions of Georgia (Adjara, Imereti and Samtskhe-Javakheti) AUTHOR: NINO TSAGAREISHVILI EDITOR: ALEKO TSKITISHVILI PARTICIPATED IN THE MONITORING: ANA CHAPIDZE RUSUDAN SAKHECHIDZE GIORGI BERIDZE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRANSLATION: NICK JASHI The report was prepared with the financial support of the Black Sea Trust, a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the Black
    [Show full text]
  • Geological Hazards in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region (Georgia)
    International Journal of Geosciences, 2016, 7, 311-324 Published Online March 2016 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/ijg http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ijg.2016.73024 Geological Hazards in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region (Georgia) Gaprindashvili George1,2, Gerkeuli Tamaz1, Tsereteli Emil1,2, Gaprindashvili Merab1 1Department of Geology, National Environmental Agency, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, Tbilisi, Georgia 2Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia Received 17 February 2016; accepted 19 March 2016; published 22 March 2016 Copyright © 2016 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract Hundreds of settlements, agricultural lands, roads, oil and gas pipelines’ routes, towers of high voltage transmission lines, hydro-technical-meliorative objects, mountain resorts, etc. are period- ically experiencing strong influence of landslide-gravitational and debris flow/mudflow processes (often with catastrophic results). Almost all landscape-geographic zones—from Black Sea coastal region, to mountainous-nival, where geo-ecological situation is severely complicated, are located in dangerous area of disaster. Negative social-economic, demographic and ecological consequences caused by debris flow/mudflows and landslide-gravitational processes, are seen in all spheres of human activity. In mountainous regions there is especially complicated situation, where in condi- tions of extreme activation of disaster, in many cases population displacement and transfer to other regions is needed. Because of it, in second half of 20th century, tens of villages in mountain- ous regions were desolated and agricultural lands were abandoned.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 2009
    1 2 In summer 2008, Division of National/Ethnic Minority Issues and Division of Civil Integration were established under the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reintegration. It is noteworthy that the staff members of these two divisions are the representatives of national minorities in Georgia (Azeris, Armenians, and Chechens). Prior to this, the Civil Integration and Tolerance Council functioning under President of Georgia has been working on the elaboration of the “National Concept for Tolerance and Civic Integration” and its five-year Action Plan. Several on-site visits in the regions compactly settled with national minorities (Kvemo Kartli, Kaspi district of Shida Kartli region settled compactly with ethnic Azeris, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kakheti regions settled with ethnic Ossetians, Azeris, Armenians, Assyrians, Udins, Lezghins, Roma, Kists) have been organized with a purpose to make more effective the functioning of the Office and to enhance competence. During on-site visits in the regions, several meetings have been conducted with the representatives of the local self-governments as well as with the local population. On-site visits enabled us to get information on the existing condition and considerably promoted our effective involvement in the elaboration of the National Concept. With the cooperation of the Civil Integration and Tolerance Council functioning under President of Georgia the “National Concept for Tolerance and Civic Integration” and Action Plan has been approved by the governmental decree №348 of 8 May 2009. According to the National Concept, the Office of the State Minister has been entitled for the elaboration and coordination of the policy as well as for the presentation of the annual reports (on December of each year) on the implementation of the Action Plan for Tolerance and Civic Integration to the Government of Georgia and Civil Integration and Tolerance Council functioning under President of Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Citizen Engagement Practices in the Municipalities of Batumi, Kutaisi and Akhaltsikhe
    Assessment of Citizen Engagement Practices in the Municipalities of Batumi, Kutaisi and Akhaltsikhe The assessment has been conducted by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), within the framework of the project “New E-Governance Initiatives to meet OGP Commitments in Georgia”, funded by the Good Governance Initiative (GGI) in Georgia project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. The study has been prepared by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Good Governance Initiative (GGI) in Georgia project, the United States government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. Author: Saba Buadze Editor: Levan Avalishvili Reviewed by: Mamuka Abuladze March 2017 Tbilisi 1 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 3 General Context & Legal Framework ........................................................................................................... 4 Main Observations ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Public Participation Practices in Batumi .................................................................................................. 8 Public
    [Show full text]
  • Investment Project Catalogue September 2020
    INVESTINGEORGIA.ORG INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES 2020 A PLEASURE DOING BUSINESS Located in the Caucasus region, on the coast of The country's ambitious objectives to be one of the Black Sea, Georgia is geographically well the best investment locations on the world map positioned as a gateway between Europe and are reflected in number of different Asia. The country is perfectly situated for easy well-recognized international rankings, where access to most major European, Central Asian Georgia maintains strong positions. For and Middle Eastern markets and has free trade example, Georgia holds 7th position in World agreements (FTAs) with most of them. In this Bank’s 2020 “Ease of Doing Business Index”. way, Georgia already boasts majority of the Foreign-owned businesses make significant preconditions required to become a regional contribution to the Georgian economy and its financial and business centre. great position for deepening links between Europe and Asia will further raise country’s Today, Georgia has a strong investment offer - productivity - via the transfer of technology, by it has liberal and free market oriented economic increased export-oriented investments and policy, access to 2.3 billion consumer market stronger regional competition positions. through its solid FTA network including both EU and China, educated, skilled and competitively Georgia is a great destination for companies priced workforce, 6 types of low and flat taxes, from all around the world, whether it’s to enter significantly decreased number of licenses and the regional market itself, the European market, permissions, well developed, integrated and or the broader Asian markets. It is a country full multimodal transport infrastructure.
    [Show full text]