OCHA-Georgia Information Bulletin for the period 01 - 15 Jan 2003

Feature:
Economic Capacity Building Project in Samtkhe-Javakheti

During 2002, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) initiated a pilot Economic Capacity Building Project (ECBP) in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

The breakdown of economic structures and the area's geographical isolation have thwarted the local economy resulting in extensive labor migration, particularly towards the West, via Russia and other locations. Project aims to alleviate the migratory pressures on the population by creating new and expanding existing employment capacities in the region through the provision of micro-loans to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). IOM's economic development approach contributes towards reducing the potential for conflict in the area by offering employment alternatives to the local population who now rely mainly on the Russian military base for work.

IOM developed a research methodology through which information and data about employment figures, levels and nature of migration and the business environment were collected. Loan recipients received professional business training and were provided with technical support. IOM achieved encouraging results during the pilot phase of the project. Directions for training and priority sectors have been identified and are now considered in the process of planning future activities. Currently IOM works on a joint follow-up project with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

For more information about the programme, please contact Ms. Freya Von Groote, Project Coordinator, IOM. Address: 41 Gogebashvili Street. Tel.: 29 38 94, 25 22 16. E-mail: iomtbilisi@gol.ge

SECTORS

Assistance to the Vulnerable

In December 2003, Counterpart International donated HDRs (Humanitarian Daily Rations), rice and soy protein, wheat, vegetable oil and milk powder to 3,411 beneficiaries (orphans, schoolchildren and vulnerable persons) through 15 different secondary and boarding schools, orphanages and NGOs in Tbilisi, Gardabani, Aspindza, Sagarejo and Kvareli.

Counterpart also donated infants', men's and women's sweaters, skirts, trousers, shoes, boots, sand bags, mats and pans to over 550 beneficiaries (children, the disabled, large families, the elderly and IDPs) through 3 different NGOs of Tbilisi.

Confidence Building

Within the framework of its new initiative, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) financed small projects by local NGOs in December 2002 in Samegrelo and Abkhazia. The goal of the initiative is to contribute to confidence building and conflict mitigation and to provide financial assistance to local initiatives which increase self-reliance of the affected population.

The initiative is implemented in close cooperation with the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). Funded projects include the rehabilitation of the Torsa school in Zugdidi, the provision of sports club equipment in Gali, the establishment of a human rights awareness bulletin in Gali, the provision of a telephone connection in Anaklia, and others.

For more information about the programme, please contact Mr. Jean Marc Danto, Assistant to the Political Advisor, UNOMIG Sukhumi. E-mail: jeanabk@yahoo.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Scientific-Information Association of the Imereti Youth "Asa" visited ecological migrants from Ajara currently residing in Dedalauri, Khoni district.

The group moved from Ajara in 1988 as a result of a landslide. The Soviet Central Committee relocated them to Dedalauri, a village in the Khoni district, Imereti. They received shelter in a former prison and 1.2 ha of land was given to them. They were recognised as a group living in temporary shelter, and their situation was expected to be resolved within a few years. Soon the collapse of the Soviet Union happened. The Georgian Government did not recognise the group as having a special status, thus no funds were given to them. Since 1988, their living conditions have not improved, thus forcing many families to leave the place. Currently only 120 families out of the initial 217 still reside in the village. Others have left in search of better places and futures for their families.

Asa plans to conduct detailed research of the migrants' living conditions and to present the obtained information on its website. Interested organisations/individuals can obtain more information at Asa's office in Kutaisi, 5 Javakhishvili Street. Tel.: (8 97) 58 62 82. E-mail: asa@posta.ge Contact person: Mr. Zviad Kipshidze.

The World Bank Office in Tbilisi is pleased to announce its Small Grants Program for 2003. Applicants are requested to submit grant proposals in English to the World Bank Office in Tbilisi: 5a, 1st Drive, Chavchavadze Avenue.

Applications should be addressed to Ms. Inga Paichadze, External Affairs and NGO Liaison person. The deadline for the submission is 20 February 2003. Copies of the application guidelines are available at the World Bank's Office and at the Internet at: www.worldbank.org/eca/georgia.nsf. Consultations for potential applicants are planned during the above-mentioned period and will be announced additionally.

The Citizens Advocate! Programme (CAP) is a USAID-funded activity to improve the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and create an enabling environment so that CSOs can promote citizens' interests and effectively advocate for their cause.

Within the framework of the programme, Save the Children on behalf of the CAP Advocacy Steering Committee, announces a Request for Applications (RFA) for Civic Participation Grants to support issue-based advocacy campaigns.

The deadline for submission is 28 February 2003 before 5 p.m. at Save the Children Georgia. Address: 8 Baratashvili St., Tbilisi, attn. Nata Melikishvili. The RFA information package, including the guidelines and proposal format, is available at the Advocacy Georgia website at: http://www.advocacy.ge/cap/2_3.shtml

In addition to this RFA, CAP would like to notify the applicants about the USAID-funded "Participation Training" project implemented by World Learning, which provides an opportunity for interested NGOs to attend an advocacy training course, to enhance their knowledge about issue-based advocacy campaigns and will provide tools, relevant examples and other information, that is not only useful for proposal development, but also for conducting such campaigns. The training will be conducted by trainers from the Partners for Democratic Change - Slovakia and the Partners for Democratic Change - Georgia.

The training agenda is based on the content of the RFA. Trainings are scheduled for 3-5 and 6-8 February in Tbilisi and 10-12 February in Kutaisi. The deadline for submission of training applications is 27 January, 2003 at the following address: Nino Kartozia, Program Officer, World Learning, # 5 Shevchenko St., First Floor, Tel: 995 32 995957; 982520, Fax: 995 32 986397, Email: nkartozia@worldlearning.ge. Please note that participation in the training is not obligatory for submitting an application.

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