OCHA-Georgia Information Bulletin for the period 01 - 10 Mar 2001

UPDATE - Humanitarian and Transitional Programmes
Agricultural Project by ACH

Accion Contra el Hambre (ACH) launched a new phase of its agricultural project in the Samegrelo region in January 2001, with financial support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The project aims to develop beneficiary self-sufficiency. It includes training on livestock breeding and cooperative management as capacity building components. During previous phases, the project enhanced collaboration between IDPs and the local population by integrating vulnerable families from both communities in agricultural activities. After several years of collaboration, links have been established and reinforced between the members of both communities.

The current phase of the project envisages diversifying agriculture-related income generation activities to reinforce the sustainable functioning of the cooperatives established in previous phases of the project. The project enhances the business capacity and initiative of 800 families, members of the cooperatives, by providing specific training on "business plan design." One of the objectives of the project is to extend the impact of the project in the region and address the needs of the families that are unable to join the cooperative's programme due to the lack of minimum resources. For this purpose, 200 extremely vulnerable IDP families will be targeted by the present project.

In January 2001, the first meetings with two cooperatives, Didinedzi and Oruli, both created in 1999 were conducted in order to meet the representatives of micro project groups. Each micro-project is designed and must be implemented by a group of 20 families on average, including IDPs and locals. These mixed working groups were created spontaneously in each cooperative. Business training was scheduled and business-training materials were prepared. Trainers are analyzing draft business plans to determine the profitability and sustainability of each micro-project. The main subject of the business training is business planning, profitability of activities, financial analysis, livestock breeding and feeding specifications. At the end of the training the micro-project representatives are expected to finalize the business idea and to begin activities independently.

During January and February 2001 trainings in Didinedzi village were completed and the first inputs were contributed by ACH to a small duck-breeding group called "Stimuli." In March, business training will be conducted for Oruli village micro-groups.

The major quantity of ACH/UNHCR inputs is planned in March, as the construction of farms and purchase of main assets must be provided first, in order to ensure productivity. Most agriculture related business activities such as disking, harrowing, sowing, cleaning of the farm fields and purchasing of beehives begin in early spring.

In order to increase the income of cooperative members, ACH and UNHCR plan to diversify the cooperative activities with other micro projects. In Didinedzi, following intensive business trainings, 5 business plans are ready and the beneficiaries started their first business activities, such as fencing, preparation of pools for fish breeding and searching for suppliers and buyers.

As the ACH beneficiaries are in precarious financial situation, a large part of inputs into micro projects will be contributed by ACH and UNHCR. The beneficiaries will contribute 20% of the total initial micro project investment. The interest on the initial ACH/UNHCR inputs will be paid in kind and used to support extremely vulnerable segments of the population.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Paola Siragusa, Head of Food Security Programme, ACH. Tel.: (8 215) 2 46 64, e-mail: achzg@iberiapac.ge

Income Generation Programme by DRC

In January 2001, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) launched an Income Generation programme in Senaki, Samegrelo. The programme has two elements: group and individual loans. The programme targets the local vulnerable population, as well as IDPs residing in both collective centers and in private sector, as well as the local vulnerable population. DRC implements the project in cooperation with the Association for Community Development and Relations, a local NGO. Both individual and group loans require payment of 3% interest. In addition individual loans require participation in business training seminars and ownership of valid collateral.

In order to receive loans applicants were asked to complete questionnaires on their socio-economic conditions and submit business plans.

As a result of screening 10 business plans were approved and individual loans were disbursed.

Presently the loan committee is screening 6 groups consisting of 35 IDPs applying for group loans. Vulnerability questionnaires were already delivered to the military camp where IDPs reside, in order to identify additional participants in business seminars.

For more information, please contact Mr. Paata Tsotsonava, Income Generation Programme Coordinator, DRC. Address: 67 D. Berdzenadze St. Tel.: (8 231) 7 42 26. E-mail: drc@sanetk.net.ge

SECTORS

Clothes

In February 2001, Counterpart International donated clothes, socks, boots and galoshes to 2,880 children, 1,600 disabled, 1,400 elderly, 1,500 veterans, 1,000 pedagogues, 9,560 vulnerable people and 13,673 IDPs in Tbilisi, Gardabani, Gori, Tianeti, Tsageri, Mestia, Zugdidi, Ochamchire, Terjola, Kutaisi and Batumi.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The TACIS Link Inter European NGOs (LIEN) programme is an initiative of the European Commission to support NGOs working in the social sector in the New Independent States (NIS) and Mongolia. The programme falls within the wider framework of the European Union (EU) TACIS programme with the goal to support the process of economic and social reform in the NIS and Mongolia.

More specifically, the main objective of the LIEN programme is to stimulate citizens' initiative and strengthen the capacity of NGOs and non-profit organizations working in the social sector for the well-being of disadvantaged groups. The programme also encourages the development of exchange and cooperation between partner organizations based in TACIS and EU countries.

The European Commission TACIS LIEN programme is pleased to announce a new call for applications. The total budget available for Georgia is Euro 100,000. The size of each grant may vary from Euro 20,000 to 100,000. The duration of projects must not exceed 12 months. All projects must involve at least two NGOs: one from Georgia and one from the EU country. The project partnership should involve active exchange of skills, experience, knowledge and finance. The bulk of project activities must take place in Georgia.

The deadline for submitting proposals to Brussels is 11 May 2001, 4:00 pm Central European time. Guidelines for applicants and the application forms are available at the following internet addresses:http://europa.eu.int/comm/europaid/tender/index_en.htm and http://corporate.skynet.be/cev/lien/applic2001.htm.

Diskettes with guidelines for applicants and the application form can be obtained at the reception of the Delegation of the European Commission in Georgia at the following address: 38 Nino Chkheidze St., Tbilisi. Tel.: 94 37 63.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) would like to call the attention of the assistance community to the plight of 1,000 persons moved from Ajara in 1988 as a result of a landslide. The Soviet Central Committee allocated them to Dedalauri, a village in the Khoni district, Imereti. They received shelter in a former prison. 1.2 ha of land was given to each of them. They were recognized as a group living in a temporary shelter and their situation was expected to be solved within a few years. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Georgian government did not recognize the group as having a special status, thus no funds were given to them.

According to DRC, the group suffers from lack of proper education for their children, poor accommodation and polluted water. Only 11 families now live in the former prison. Others created shacks in the nearby area. ASA, a local NGO, is trying to support them by facilitating the creation of an NGO by the members of the group. It is also seeking funds for children's education and building shower facilities. They have requested funding from the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO), but were informed that they should find an international organisation to cooperate with about the application. ECHO contacted DRC, but ecological migrants are not DRC's target group. After meeting with ASA, DRC decided to visit the settlement. The DRC staff member met with the deputy gamgebeli (head of the gamgeoba, local authority). It turned out that the government promised to build houses for the ecological migrants in early 90s, but due to the situation in Georgia the assistance was cancelled. In 1997 and 1998 the World Food Programme (WFP) implemented a Food-for-work project for the ecological migrants. They worked in tea plantations and received wheat flour, oil and sugar instead.

Currently the group does not have an official status. They live in terrible conditions. They are unemployed; receive no benefits, no salaries, and no humanitarian assistance. They have land but they can not pay the rent. The children can not attend school because of shortage of clothes and school equipment. They are not representated in the local government. Hoping to find a better future for their children they plan to leave the place and to move to south and east Georgia

Organisations interested in assisting the ecological migrants can contact Ms. Marianne Knudsen, Project Manager, DRC. Address: 67 D. Berdzenadze St. Tel.: 7 42 26. E-mail: drc@sanetk.net.ge.

Produced by OCHA Georgia. For more information, please contact Ms. Maka Esaiashvili, Information Officer

Tel/Fax: 995-32-959516; Tel: 995-32-943163; e-mail: unocha@unocha.org.ge

Contributions are welcome and should reach OCHA, 9 Eristavi St., Tbilisi by 12.00 hrs. on 9th 19th, and 29th of each month