New Projects of dvv international in Georgia

The Representative Office of the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (dvv international) in Georgia is launching two new projects funded under the European Union program “Instrument for Stability” and aimed at socioeconomic integration of forcibly displaced persons during Russian-Georgian war in August 2008 and conflicts in early 1990s. The projects worth 1 mln euro each will be implemented in partnership with the Spanish organization “Accion contrа еl Hаmbre” (ACH). The project duration will be 18 months, and they will be implemented in two regions of the country: Kvemo Kartli (responsibility for the project in this region rests with АСН) and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (dvv international).

The project goals are planned to be achieved using a comprehensive community development program in both regions, intensive trainings (capacity building) for representatives of local self-governments and community activists, as well as activities to provide socioeconomic support to the target group (displaced persons) and members of host communities. Under each project, active groups of communities will be set up, and micro-projects on local infrastructure rehabilitation and programs to support agriculture will be implemented on site. In each of the above regions two community educational centers will be set up and offer the following educational and information services: vocational training and personal development program for youth and adults, the program on active citizenship for young people, and finally, various consultation services for all community members. In addition, an intensive training and consultation program will be offered to representatives of local self-governments and community activists.

To implement the above projects, dvv international will rely on positive experience accumulated by this organization in South Georgia, where two adult training centers were set up already in 2006-2008 enjoying financial support from the EU. These centers still operating successfully use nonformal educational programs to promote integration of ethnic minorities. It is this approach that will underlie for socioeconomic integration of forcibly displaced persons currently living in Kvemo Kartli and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.

Levan Kvachadze,

Head, Office of dvv international,

Tbilisi