Briefing at Horizonti office

On September 9, a briefing was held by Social Work consultants on the recent training for Georgian regional community social workers who were trained

in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.. The participants of the briefing became acquainted with the issues facing the introduction of professional social work in Georgia today. Social workers and journalists participated in the briefing.

Samtskhe Javakheti CBO Implements a Community Development Project

In the frames of Community Development program of the Horizonti Foundation and the Open Society Georgia Foundation the Samtskhe Javakheti region CBO Greli implemented project called: “Water – A Core of Life” -- The project aimed at rehabilitation of drinking water system in the village Greli in Akhaltsikhe district of Georgia. As a result of this project, the population of the village restored the damaged water distributed system facilities, which included a 250 ton water reservoir and drinking water pipes which served the village. However, even with the increased water capacity it was still not possible to supply the entire community with water at the same time. Consequently it was decided at a general meeting of the villagers to establish a water supply distribution schedule. Nevertheless, even with the difficulties of this delivery scheme, members of the Greli village are now satisfied with their existing facilities and the quality of their drinking water supply.

Coalition Project Implemented in the Frames of Horizonti Cross Sectoral Grants program

A coalition composed with 10 NGOs working on different problems implemented, with the support of the Horizonti Cross-sectored grants program for the assistance of Coalition projects, started a project entitled: “Let’s unite in order to save Svaneti”. The project is aimed at identifying and solving the most critical problems of the Lentekhi Region. The following activities were conducted within the scope of the project: the coalition investigated natural radiation background in some places of Tsageri and Lower Svaneti; carrying out journalistic reports on the most pressing problems of Lower Svaneti; in Jakhundara and Lentekhi and organized goiter prevention heath care interventions; the coalition also prepared and published a for brochure raising public awareness dealing with the rights and responsibilities of society and local governments within the content of environmental protection. Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia signed the statement #208 on “the Improvement of Lentekhi Region social-economic development and on activities in order to recover damages caused by natural disasters”, February 27, 2003 as a result of the project.

Coalition “Healthy Guria”

The aim of the coalition “Healthy Guria”, which is also implementing a project under the Horizonti Foundation grants program was the establishment of the first aid center in Guria (West Georgia) Region. The following activities were implemented under the project: repair works in the regional Central Hospital; the coalition purchased modern medical equipment and an emergency vehicle (van), which presently serves three districts of the Guria Region. Between 200-300 patients have been examined in each village thus far and 70 laboratory and assorted medical examinations were conducted, and on the basis of the results, 12 patients have undergone operations. The well organized and conducted work of the emergency laboratory unit and a bus service has saved 53 lives in the region.

Telavi Coalition “For Clean Environment”

Another coalition, which was supported by the Horizonti Foundation was established in the regional town of Telavi in East Georgia, implemented a project entitled “For Clean Environment”. The project aimed at the eradication of insanitary conditions and the problem of rabies in Telavi and its suburbs. The coalition arranged trash dumps through the project. They also conducted repair works in the local dog pound. Every trash site envisaged by the project was cleaned up at the end of the project. The coalition planted greenery in some of the scrap heaps and thus the city become more environmentally friendly and green.

Sustainable Development Model for Aragvi Basin

10 organizations united in a coalition and with the support of Horizonti Foundation carried out a project aiming at working out the sustainable development model for the Aragvi Basin and surrounding areas. The model seeks to define priority directions for poverty reduction, revival of the agriculture sector and the improvement of local ecological conditions. The Coalition investigated the environment of the region and carried out a research of the statistic baseline data for child healthcare in the Aragvi Basin and surroundings over the period of the last five years. Additionally, the group developed a business plan for the establishment of an ecological tourism agency. Tangible suggestions and recommendations were provided to local authorities in for the improvement of existing ecological and social conditions in the region.

Georgian Business Law Center adopted a new name

The Georgian Business Law Center has changed its name, organizational structure, legal form of registration and its mission. The organization re-registered with the Ministry of Justice on June 17, 2003 and adopted a new name: Foundation "Civil Society Institute."

There are three on-going programs in the organization:

a) Legal

b) Civil society development

c) Analysis and administration of politics

The e-mail addresses of the staff have also changed. New e-mail addresses are as follows:

Vazha Salamadze vazha@civilin.org

Lali Baqradze lali@civilin.org

Maya Meshki maia@civilin.org

Nato Ketiladze nato@civilin.org

Upcoming Seminars from CTC (Center for Training and Consultations)

CTC (Center for Training and Consultations) is suggesting the following seminars:

29 September: 3 October: Russian Training Course on PCM I - Project Cycle Management (Planning) in Russian.

6 - 8 October: Operational Planning and Monitoring in Georgian

Training hours 10:00 am - 5:00 p.m.

Course descriptions and programs can be downloaded from the www.Advocacy.Ge at:

http://www.advocacy.ge/news_http/desc.php?id=40

The procedures for application/registration are available at: www.ctc.org.ge

IREX announces New Programs

IREX announces the 2003-2004 recipients of the Individual Advanced Research Opportunities (IARO) Program. For project abstract information, please visit the IREX web-site at www.irex.org/programs/iaro/grantees/grantees03.asp.

For more information about the IARO program, including application materials, please go to www.irex.org/programs/iaro/.

Open Competition

IREX announced open competition on following programs:

Student Program on Freedom Support Act. The program provides opportunity for students studying on I, II, III courses (five year program) to study in universities and colleges of the USA for one-year period. The application deadline is October 17, 2003.

Program for Contemporary Issues. The program provides opportunity for experienced professionals (NGOs and international organizations, Governmental structures, business representatives) to conduct 4-month research in the United States. Application deadline is October 31, 2003.

The application forms are available at IREX office on the following address:

Tbilisi, #26 Chavchavadze Ave.0162; Tel: (995 32) 291905.

E-mail: nkobakhidze@irexonline.ge

Contact person: Nino Kobakhidze, Tata Vasadze.

Amnesty International: Award for Human Rights Journalism

The Global Award for Human Rights Journalism is awarded annually for an article that has raised awareness and understanding of human rights issues at a local, national or international level. To be eligible for the award, entries must be nominated and submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO).

All entries must be in the form of a written article published in a newspaper, journal or magazine, or on the Internet. Each NGO can nominate a maximum of three entries. Articles submitted in languages other than English must be accompanied by an English translation.

Send nominations to:

Allan Hogarth

Amnesty International Media Awards

99-119 Rosebery Avenue

London EC1R 4RE

E-mail: allan.hogarth@amnesty.org.uk

Distance Learning Module from Hogschool Brabant

Hogeschool Brabant, university of professional education in the Netherlands is currently developing distance-learning modules for our international course in environmental sciences, which is a two-year Bachelor program. It is also planning to establish a network of institutes of higher education offering distance learning modules in environmental sciences.

Persons interested should contact the co-ordinator of Environmental Sciences

Program Han van Osch vanosch.ja@hsbrabant.nl or Peter H. van Bragt

(International Office, Hogeschool Brabant global@hsbrabant.nl

Joint Competition of Educational and Informational Studio for Youth and Ministry of Education

Educational and Informational Studio for Youth announces a competition together with the Ministry of Education in order to identify best 1 minute video-movies and newspaper articles on the following topic: “Youth and Peace”. Youth aged 12-22 living in Georgia is eligible to take part in the competition. The jury will decide upon the best competition work. In the regions the works should be presented by local educational department, secondary-special and high schools to the attitude development department of the Ministry of Education.

In Tbilisi the works must be submitted to the Studio ADC.

The deadline for submission is October 5, 2003

For additional information contact Studio ADC at the following address: Tbilisi, #76b Vajha-Pshavela, Children’s Federation. Tel: 304956, 536797, 899 571579.

Exhibition Called “Peace in Heritage”

ISAR-Moscow plans to hold children’s paintings exhibition named “Peace in Heritage” the aim of which is to attract children’s and adults’ attention towards contemporary problems. The exhibition will be held in Children’s Creative Palace in Moscow from April 5 until April 12, 2004.

Children aged 6-14 can participate in the exhibition. The deadline for submission of paintings is December 10 2003, at the Horizonti Foundation Tbilisi office, 2 Dolidze st., 6 Floor.

Tel: (99532) 322816, 322817, 322818, 987504

For additional information please contact: E-mail: isar@isarmos.ru

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Employer: World Vision International in Georgia (WVI-G)

Job Reference Number: WVI-G-MED-BLO

Position Title: Batumi Branch Loan Officer

Program: Micro Enterprise Development Program (MED)

Location: Batumi

Employment Status: Full-time employment

Starting Dates: ASAP

Closing Date: Tuesday, September 30, 5 pm.

URL: http://georgia.worldvision.org/

The Loan Officer (LO) is to provide loan services and where appropriate training to designated clients in accordance with the operating policies of the WVI-G MED.

Requirements:

• Preferably experience of working as a Loan Officer or owning / managing a micro or small size enterprise.

• Basic understanding of business principles.

• A university degree, preferably in business related field.

• Outstanding interpersonal and analytical thinking skills; people-oriented personality.

• Good verbal and written communication skills (Georgian, Russian and preferably English).

• Computer literate in word processor and spreadsheet applications.

• A driver license and personal car.

• Willingness to be flexible with hours when necessary and ability to travel locally.

• Holder of a valid international passport.

Preference would be given to residents of Batumi (a relocation allowance will not be provided).

To Apply: If you meet the requirements, please send a hard copy cover letter and detailed CV in English along with 3 references (only names, addresses, and emails) in a sealed envelope addressed to Human Resources Officer at 14, Chincharadze Street, Batumi, Georgia or: shorena dzotsenidze@wvi.org

NB! Please ensure that you quote the relevant job reference number (Ref. WVI-G-MED-BLO) in the subject line of your email.

Only the strongest candidates will be contacted for the test and interviews. No telephone enquiries will be accepted.