Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN)

Working Meeting

April 16 17, 2015

Introduction

On April 17, non-governmental organization Civil Development Agency (CiDA) organized a conference where

over 50 representatives of Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) together with international organisations

discussed the current situations and topical issues in the regions of Georgia.

Discussion topics included: self -governance and regional issues; significant challenges for the state development,

challenges of the regional CSOs; Georgias population attitude towards countrys European Integration. (see

attached Agenda).

The event was co-organized by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) ACCESS project and Open Society

Georgia Foundation (OSGF).

Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) was established in 2012 with 55 regional non-governmental member

organizations currently from all regions of Georgia. The network is facilitated by non-governmental organization

CiDA.

Thematic discussions on the current situation in regions

Panel topic: self-governance and regional governance issues

Implementation of competitions and attestation in self-governments

Dusheti Development Fund

Gaps accompanied by self-governments competitions and attestation in Dusheti:

Required obligatory qualifications were not properly identified;

Documents submitted were not selected and all applicants took part in test;

Privacy of testing was not protected and tests were not sealed;

Commission members were at the same time correctors of the tests;

The applicant's name was written on the test, the corrector knew whose work was corrected;

Corrected answers within the test were not indicated in the protocol, that enabled correctors to make

corrections of wrong answers within the test;

The interviewing commission was not authorized, as the majority of the commission members have not

attended the process and in some cases were limited to two members only;

Some of applicants after the interviews were appointed on such positions where they did not apply;

As a result of the court decision three applicants fired from their jobs were restored on their previous

positions;

Eleven out of 18 Governors Trusties failed the test;

Those applicants who submitted documents to the trustys positions and passed the test were later

rejected after the interviews. These positions remained vacant and later occupied by those former

trusties who failed the test;

The interviews were to start at 10 a.m. however by this time 3 applicants have already undergone the

interviews.

Union for Civil Development

The competition process in Dusheti was carried out legally correct. The interview process was

recorded technically right way, all participants of the process were recorded and the record was easily

readable. The process was transparent; the results were timely and fully published at the municipality

official web page and were available for everyone. Each commission member participated in

interview process and the process was legitimate. There were no limits in terms of obtaining public

information.

There were some gaps in the competition process. Some members of the commission were affected by

nepotism and political influence, that naturally had a negative impact on assessment of particular

applicants.

The 2014 year competition was not followed by any court case.

The trust factor was raised from society and the commission members performed with greater

responsibility.

Qualified involvement of NGO sector and delivering information to society resulted in year 2014

competition to be conducted on higher level and in accordance with legislation comparing with year

2013.

2. The situation in the Supreme Council of Adjara

Institute of Democracy

Due to political confrontations in the Supreme Council of Adjara recently, became active the question of

Adjara autonomy and how effective and authorized is the government of Adjara.

During many years of problems in the region, there was no confrontation and criticism between the

government and the Supreme Council of Adjara. The situation changed after the human resources policy

was on the agenda. The members of the Supreme Council were directly pointed that they did not approve

the personnel policy of the government, that is beyond the competency of the Supreme Council. Also,

along with this process the Supreme Council started to critisize the government regarding the regions

investment policy which never was not on the agenda during previous years. This was an attempt to

create an artificial crisis and confrontation based on personal interests.

Numerous television debates and NGO statements were made in this regard. Where the civil society

requires the Supreme Council to implement its primary duties and responsibilities. The activities of the

Supreme Council currently cover only the criticism of the HR policy and pressure on the Adjara

government and it almost does not fulfill its obligations imposed.

3. Regional Development

Georgian Young Lawyers Association Imereti Branch

On June 25, 2010 the government approved a regional development strategy for 2010-2017 years

and this was the first normative act where regions appeared in the legislation of Georgia.

However, unfortunately for example, Imereti and Mtskheta- Mtianeti regional strategies were

approved only on 5 September 2012, the strategies of other regions were later approved, and part

of action plans are still not approved.

Regional Civil Society Network members were actively involved in creation of the regional

development strategies. Action plans were elaborated and introduced to the government.

Unfortunately, there is not a linkage between strategies of two neighboring regions and there

still a lot of work remains.

R-CSN is actively involved in UNDP project that enables population to be introduced to the

regional strategies and action plans; and thus give feedback to decision- makers.

Population was less involved in elaboration of regional development strategies and it would be

better if greater involvement of population in strategies development of the upcoming years will

be ensured and R-CSN will also be more active in this direction.

4. Self-government Reform

Association of Young Economists of Georgia

It is important to further improve legislation, legal space and the management system of self-

governments. Self-government Code, which was adopted last year, is still considered with gaps. One of

the examples of this is the local and state property separation issue at the self-governance territory. This

problem could not be solved even with the Code. The government does not have the list of its property

and in such situation; it is complicated to elaborate the vision of its management.

There are gaps regarding the regulations of elected Mayor/Gamgebeli. The elected Mayor might be

dismissed by the city council due to political regard.

The state monitoring forms over the self-government to be improved. The legislation must define

independence of self-government in decision making process.

Ensuring public participation in self-governments activities, that makes the self-government more

effective. In 2014 due to R-CSN, in six cities of Georgia was adopted a resolution of the city council

defining forms of citizen participation in self-governments, but this is not enough. More effective would

be unified rule for the whole Georgia. Though first it should be defined, must this be done at the

legislative level or in the frames of the National Association.

Financial decentralization defined by the budget code. Activities of the self-governments can not be

effective without financial decentralization. The revenues must be optimally defined and directly linked

to its functions and duties. Otherwise we never get an effective self-government.

State procurement legislation must be improved. There are a number of statutory regulations, which limit

the range of activities.

There are gaps regarding self-government activities, human resources management issues. There is no

united rule for employee evaluation and motivation.

There is no strategic developmet document on self-government level, such as a social-economic

development plan, space-territorial planning etc.

Region Development Center

Territorial optimization of municipalities. The first step of the reform was the size of the

municipalities to be changed, and seven self-government cities were apportioned. In this process,

it is essential to work with population and know their opinion. With this point, at the first stage

of the reform R-CSN members with the financial support of the "Open Society - Georgia

Foundation conducted meetings with population in order to increase participation and

discussion. The role of the network in this process was very important because with the help of

R-CSN the feedback from population was ensured. However, it is essential such involvement to

be continued and the attitudes of population to be revealed at the next stages.

Panel topics: challenges of regional NGOs

5. Relationship of local government and NGO sector/ relationship with media

Kutaisi Information Center

There are facts of cooperation between government and non-governmental sector in Kutaisi, but

in majority cases it is more formal, and the final product of this process is not what society would

want.

As the local media remarks, Kutaisi City Hall is more open to cooperate with them than Kutaisi

Sakrebulo. Majority of Sakrebulo members avoid contacts with media, refuse from participation

in television debates and dont explain the reasons.

Media also complains about the government's competencies, in most cases the answer to the

question is not exhaustive or appropriate, or information is delayed.

Periodically there are established restrictions for media. For example, only televisions were

allowed to Kutaisi self-government building. This was followed by protest and solidarity from

the whole media and the problems was solved. Though, it should also be noted that there were

not facts of verbal and physical pressure on media and non-governmental sector in Kutaisi.

Civil Development Agency (CiDA)

The government both on central and local levels is more open than it was during the previous one.

However, this openness was more tangible soon after the elections and now the process increasingly goes

far from the desired reality.

About the requesting of public information is the same situation. The information is available, but if we

compare the current situation with the beginning of year 2012 and start of year 2013, in the present

situation we have a tendency when information is delayed, denied etc.

As for the relations with media and non-governmental organizations, here is one unfortunate moment

that is a bad example for the self-government. These are irresponsible and critical statements of central

level high-ranked officials regarding media and non-governmental organizations. In this conditions the

local self-governments can not be opened and this will affect attitudes of state officials locally.

Despite the fact that local government is elected, its accountability is greater to the central government

rather than to the population locally.

6. Donors policy and relationship with local organizations

Kutaisi Education Development and Employment Center

Donors giving priority to regional non-governmental organizations is very important and this

encourages development of local organizations.

Priorities oriented on region development are very important, which includes development of

self-governments, increasing involvement of population, and supporting projects covering

development of organizations capabilities.

It is important for local organizations to participate in donors priorities determination, such as

creation of Road Maps by EU, or determination of IDPs living minimum with participation of

local non-governmental organizations.

Barriers:

Complicated application forms;

Necessity proposal to be prepared in English;

The fact that the international organizations and local organizations are considered on equal

terms in grants competition;

Requested co-financing from donors, in terms of local organizations having small budgets.

Challenges the local non-governmental sector faces:

Financial sustainability issues;

Staff turnover;

Lack of fundraising strategies and dependence on donor policies.

Emphasis was also made on positive changes, such as grants issued to NGOs by the ministries and

openness of state institutions for cooperation towards NGOs.

7. Challenges for beneficiaries

Fund "Abkhazinterkonti"

Challenges and problems of IDPs and vulnerable families:

Social integration and adaptation to new environment and labor market;

Problems with local self-government regarding property issues;

Need in assistance regarding advocacy and lobbing process;

Special assistance is required for socially vulnerable families, particularly families living in mountainous

regions and border villages.

Recommendation:

Promotion of small farmers;

Creation of new vacancies through supporting businesses locally. This will help socially vulnerable families to

start taking care of themselves, which reduces the states burden of caring about them.

Association Dea

Challenges:

In 2013, Georgia signed the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and

now the government is accountable not only to its citizens but to the international society as well.

Problems:

There is no model for expertise and status for people with disabilities;

The number of nosologies reduced. If in 2006 were registered 240 000 persons with disabilities, now the

number reduced to 140 000 and this is not due to prevention and rehabilitation programs but to reduced

nosologies. These people were deprived symbolic pensions which for many families was the only source

of living.

The process of giving a disability status is quite complicated. For example, person living in Zugdidi has to

go to Senaki or Poti to undergo status procedures and this is related to financial probems and

psychological trauma. In addition, special vehicle is required for transportation that is also a problem in

regions.

Social programs were linked to the programs targeting people below the poverty line and if the family is

not registered as a vulnerable, person with disability has no right to receive any service in the

rehabilitation center.

Rehabilitation centers are in big cities and non of them is in the regions.

The quality of rehabilitation centers services is quite low.

The country is not adapted for the people with disabilities, that leads to a lack of access to education and

healthcare.

Persons with disabilities are segregated and stigmatized;

State action plans are not based on researches and situation analysis.

Teachers have low quality of inclusive education.

Discriminating attitudes of employers.

Recommendation:

The state to implement supportive and employment programs;

Programs to foreseen disability mainstreaming.

Association Toleranti

The challenges facing juvenile probationers and former prisoners in the region:

Resocialization issues. Resocialization programs are not implemented in the region.

Increased number of recidives;

employment of former prisoners;

Problems facing repatriated Meskhetians in Samtskhe-Javakheti:

Eight years passed since repatriated Meskhetians moved to Georgia and the government still does not give

them a citizenship;

Problems occurred due to a new visa regulations. According to this they will have to leave Georgia

because of not having citizenship or living permit;

Repatriated Meskhetians are a vulnerable group, because they have a language barrier, employment

problems, are not involved in health programs, do not know the law and don not have a citizenship.

Panel topics: challenges for development of the country

8. Public attitudes towards the European integration

Union of Democrat Meskhs

Challenges:

Population is not informed about the details of the EU Association Agreement that creates certain

problems. For example, ethnic minorities do not know how this document will farther affect their lives.

Many changes and reforms implemented by the government were explained with the Association

Agreement, for example, tightening of the visa regime. Majority of Samtskhe-Javakheti population is

ethnic Armenians. These citizens had double citizenship and two passports. Currently, their Georgian

passports are confiscated if found. This visa regulation limits their lives. There are same cases in Kvemo

Kartli region. These processes cause negative attitudes towards Association process.

Also, the excise tax increase, regulations for TV companies and etc. This leads to a negative attitude

among the population.

Threats for tourism. If for example, the citizens of Azerbaijan and Armenia were issued visas at the

border, now they are required to apply to the embassy. This problem will cause more negative effects in

summer, because if this procedure is not simplified these tourists will go on holiday to Turkey instead of

Georgia. This will prevent tourism, integration and cooperation process.

The problem will soon occur in the agricultural sphere. 45% of rural population earn their living by

selling milk and cheese. They will soon be required standardization and this process will be accelerated

without any prior well-planned information campaign.

The problem is also increased Russian propaganda from the different groups, which also threatens to

positive attitude of population towards European integration.

Recommendations:

The agreement must be defined to the population and this process should be implemented on regular basis

and not as an on-time campaigns.

The government should define and justify all the decisions and its decisions not be explained only as

requirements of the Association Agreement.

Conduct information campaigns in population regarding upcomeing changes. R-CSN has a bigger role in

this process.

Institute of Democracy

Challenges:

Must be established regulations concerning competition and supportive state programs which will

encourage the rural population to produce the highest standard product and be able to continue existance

in a competitive environment. The process should be implemented corresponding the challenges. For

example, if we tighten milk production, then the state should have the policy to establish markets and

support farmers. Otherwise, we receive negative results and reactions.

As for the attitude of the population towards the European integration, this process is seen as Russia

neutralizer. If not this factor, the attitude would be negative, because this process requires additional

regulations and standards, which means more work, more high-quality technologies, more knowledge,

education and professionalism.

9. Territorial integrity and relationship with the occupied territories

Bridge of Friendship Kartlosi:

Problems:

Despite many problems, before the 2008 war movement and communication between Georgia and

occupied Tskhinvali region was simplified. Currently, due to so-called borderization, there is no direct

communication between people. This process is often followed by arrests of citizens by Russian soldiers,

because people do not know where the dividing lines are.

Heating problem, due to locals can not go in forests to collect firewood.

High-migration of youth. This level of internal migration in the occupied villages has an emptying risk of

these villages. Civil sector together with the government must think of the employment and engagement

programs to be locally implemented to prevent migration flows. Attention should be paid to youth in

terms of civic engagement and raising awareness.

The lack of direct communication between people, which contributes to creation of enemy image. Donors

and international organizations should not decrease their attention towards conflict regions and dialogues

between peoples.

Several foreign partners left the region and completely switched to the crisis in Ukraine.

Positive changes:

Due to EU Monitoring Mission and UN meetings were restored covering incident prevention and early

response mechanisms in the village Ergneti. Here the authorities and international organizations

representatives can sit at one table and face to face discuss active political, humanitarian and other

problems.

Free services, mainly this are infrastructure projects, that the Georgian government offers to the residents

of villages close to the occupied zone.

Association Atinati

Positive sides:

The population of Gali, as well as the rest of the population of Abkhazia does not have any restrictions in

movement on the territory of Georgia. The border is far more free that encourages trading and its

development on an individual level.

Projects implemented by the State are very important, such as, covering health services, education

services and agriculture issues, which serve the Gali and the Ochamchira residents.

Negative sides:

Reduced interest of Donors in projects covering issues of IDPs from Abkhazia that is caused by existence

of more actual conflicts.

Government's reduced interest in conflict prevention issues.

The event was organized by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) within the Advancing CSO Capacities and Engaging Society for

Sustainability (ACCESS) project. Implemented by East-West Management Institute and funded by United States Agency for International

Development (USAID).

This working meeting was organized with the financial support of Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF).