A radio program of Fund Sukhumi on the topic "Local Gender Policy and Practice - Achievements and Challenges" was broadcasted on December 18 via radio "Dzveli kalaki".

What is needed to promote equal and democratic governance at the local level, how important is the gender agenda in local politicy and practice; what can become an instrument for the implementation of gender-based policies; What kind of practice exists in Georgia on gender budgeting and what is the local perspective for its large-scale implementation?

Dialogue in the studio with the author of the research was supplemented by interviews with representatives of non-governmental organizations and local executive and legislative authorities.

Particularly interesting were the visions of women who have been elected to local government during recent elections. They talked about gender budgeting, the need for gender education and capacities of local officials.

Listeners received detailed information about the project of Fund “Sukhumi“, which will propose the introduction of a gender agenda and the strategy for the implementation of gender reforms. The strategy will be based on field studies, existing international experience, large-scale meetings held during the project, which highlight local gender needs and visions and where institutional strengthening of local Gender Advisory Councils are of particular importance.

The program also announced a future meeting with stakeholders responsible for the gender policy of local self-government of Samegrelo.

The project is implemented with the support  of the Visegrad Fund

An article of the consultant of Fund “Sukhumi”, Ekaterina Gamakharia with the title “Inclusion of citizens in the management of local budget and improvement of own environment – interesting experience of the “Prague – 10” was published in the newspaper “Akhali gazeti” (Kutaisi).

Fund “Sukhumi’s” and experts’ interest to the Municipality “Prague – 10” was conditioned by the municipality’s experience regarding effective mechanism of citizens’ inclusion in local budget management.

Since 2015, “Prague-10” has started to practice Participatory budget with aim to mobilize citizens on issues of municipal management, which is an effective opportunity for the process of democratic discussion and decision-making.

The article tells us about such an experience. 

The project is implemented with the support  of the Visegrad Fund

“The Strategy on incorporating gender-based approaches to local policy” is the title of an article published in the newspaper “Guria News” as of June 26.

The author of the article is a chairperson of Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi” Alla Gamakharia. She tells that Georgia has a leading position in Caucasus for the adoption of progressive gender-sensitive laws, but nevertheless, the realization of gender-based policy leaves much to be desired.

The special emphasis is made on the project on learning experiences of Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary - the so called V4 countries and using successful reforms for promotion of regional cooperation.

According to the article “For Georgia which aspires to follow the European path, experience of these countries is not only relevant and attractive but very important as it allows develop policy-oriented strategy for reforming local governance and gender mainstreaming with common efforts.

TV Company “Rioni” prepared and broadcasted the TV story, regarding the project of the fund “Sukhumi”: “Studying the experience of Visegrad countries at local level for advocacy of equal, inclusive and democratic governance”. There were held meetings with representatives of all twelve municipalities of Imereti aiming at exchange of information and experience.

Representative of the fund “Sukhumi” familiarized the audience the goals and objectives of the project, its importance at local level for establishment of gender policy, touched the role of municipal gender equality councils and civil participation, as effective instrument for establishment of gender equality.

The representative of international organization PIN (people in need) spoke about social projects, implemented in cooperation with local government and 4 partner organizations and fund “Sukhumi” among them. The audience received information about “civil budget” projects in several municipalities of Georgia, which is introduction of European – Czech practice and promotes to implementation of real self-government.

The project is implemented with the support  of the Visegrad Fund