The action, implemented by HEKS-EPER, promotes the inclusion and empowerment of women and men from ethnic minority communities. It will strengthen the role of civil society in advancing human rights and democratic participation of ethnic minorities. It further aims to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to meaningfully engage in policy-making processes and policy dialogue. Civil society groups, activists and media outlets in the two targeted regions (Kvemo Kartli and Samtkhe-Javakheti) will be empowered to engage in advocacy work with local authorities and influence regional/central authorities to promote more gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable development. Along with civil society empowerment, the action will create spaces for dialogue between civil society and duty bearers and strengthen local business development by better equipping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to tap into opportunities generated by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

The action aims at Strengthening civil society and contribution to gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable development in Georgia.
It sets out to increase competency and capacities of CSOs to promote the social and economic empowerment of ethnic minorities and their participation in policy development and civic life in Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions through:
1. Participation of women and men from ethnic minorities and formal/ informal CSOs in the targeted municipalities in the development and monitoring of local government programs and budgets
2. Promotion of evidence-based advocacy campaigns by capacitated CSOs and institutionalized policy dialogue between rights holders and duty bearers and stimulation more inclusive and gender equitable policies for ethnic minorities in the targeted regions
3. Promotion of economic inclusion and empowerment opportunities through innovative business development in the regions.

The targeted CSOs/civic groups/activists will report an improvement in their ability to influence government policies to become more gender-responsive and inclusive of ethnic minorities. CSOs/civic groups will have demonstrated strengthened capacities to channel demands of ethnic minority populations and engage in policy- and decision-making. Small businesses in the targeted regions will have received information on DCFTA benefits, and 50 businesses will have improved their access to financial, business development, and market. 70 national, regional and local duty bearers, enhance their interest and capacities to respect, protect, and fulfill their obligations to ethnic minority rights and to promote gender-responsive and inclusive development. At least 60 representatives of six targeted municipalities will be trained in participatory budgeting and will be capacitated to establish/ institutionalize participatory mechanisms, thereby improving their competencies in gender-responsive governance, accountability and transparency. Local media outlets will be promoted to report on beneficiaries’ needs tailored advocacy campaigns.