The Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”, in partnership with the Fund of Women-Entrepreneurs and the Imereti Scientists Union “Spectri”, has launched the project “A common forum for CSOs from Guria, Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi for PAR Roadmap monitoring”, funded by the European Union.

For this purpose, a Civil Society Forum for Western Georgia will be created within the framework of the project. Civil Society Organizations from Imereti, Guria and Racha-Lechkhumi will cooperate and monitor the implementation of the PAR in 8 municipalities. The results will be based on a monitoring mechanism (elaborated by Fund “Sukhumi”), measuring the efficiency, transparency and inclusiveness of local authorities in Khoni, Bagdati, Terjola, Vani, Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti, Tsageri and Ambrolauri.

All of this will be supported through a series of trainings to equip the local CSOs with the needed competences to carry out the abovementioned tasks in the respective municipalities. Furthermore, a sub-granting scheme to support local CSOs has been prepared and will support CSO Forum member organizations to engage in civic dialogue in their respective municipalities and beyond.

Local needs’ assessment will be carried out during the first and the second year of the project and relevant recommendations will be elaborated and included in Local Action Plans of target municipalities. Regular reports on PAR monitoring and regional developments will be published. An online petition system will be piloted in Khoni municipality.

Fund “Sukhumi”, along with the project partners, will make the voice of civil society work in Western Georgia heard: a national advocacy campaign (meetings with MPs and respective ministries, round table discussions and debates) and a comprehensive media campaign (TV appearances and press-conferences, web-site and social media) will highlight the importance and the progress of civil society work in Western Georgia.

The European Union supports the democratic development of Georgia. After the signing of the Association Agreement, the Public Administration Reform (PAR) is an important element to sustain the democratic turn of Georgia. Achieving an efficient and transparent public administration is the reform’s proclaimed aim and has been agreed upon between the European Union and the Georgian government.

The Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi” is a women-led CSO from Kutaisi. The organization works towards a peaceful democratic society in Georgia and supports women-led activities, making women sustainable actors of peace.