UNITED FOR GEORGIA’S EUROPEAN WAY

11/12/2023

At the hotel Stamba, the Dome (M. Kostava Street 14, Tbilisi) Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and its partner organizations Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) and the Independent Journalists’ House (IJH) launched a new EU co-funded project – United for Georgia’s European Way.

Mr. Nicholas Cendrowicz Head of Cooperation at the EU delegation to Georgia, delivered welcome speech and stated that “the journey towards Georgia’s European future requires a united and steadfast effort by all segments of society. Georgia’s European Way marks a long and transformative journey towards greater stability and security. It is a pathway to political reform and to the strengthening of the country’s democratic institutions. Through further alignment with EU standards and values, Georgia has the opportunity to enhance its governance, strengthen the rule of law, and entrench the protection of human rights”.

H.E. Peter Fischer, Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia and Ambassador Archil Karaulashvili, Head of General Directorate for European Integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia delivered welcome remarks. Ambassador Karaulashvili highlighted the importance of Georgia’s EU integration, progress made so far, future steps ahead and the role of the civil society in the process.

“We, as Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, are dedicated to accompanying Georgia on its European way, helping Georgia to be united and to overcome the divide. This is the main objective of our new project”, stated Mr. Stephan Malerius, the head of Regional Programme Political Dialogue South Caucasus, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

Executive Director of the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC),Ms. Nino Evgenidze, highlighted the importance of unity in Georgia’s EU integration process: „Over the course of the next 33 months, we will unite citizens representing different professions, youth, private sector representatives, academia and others under a common effort: to foster Georgia’s EU integration. It is about time that democratic, modern Georgia revives and takes is place among the European nations”.

„We will use all leverages to facilitate democratic changes and reforms … the EU has always stood by Georgia’s side in this process and now, we continue with the support of independent and diverse initiative that serves Georgia’s EU integration. We will continue to protect the rights of CSOs, media and civic activists” – stated Ms. Keti Khutsishvili, Director of the Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF).

The coordinator of the Independent Journalists’ House (IJH) Ms. Irma Dimitradze stated that “Independent Journalists’ House, under this project, brings together media organizations that have been diligently covering events in Georgia, narrating stories, and investigating facts for many years. We believe that their work, their respondents, and the protagonists of their stories represent our and our country’s voice with its diversity and unity – a voice that we think should be heard everywhere where the present and future of Georgia are being decided, where the path taken by Georgia is being discussed and evaluated, would it be in public spaces or behind closed doors, in big cities or villages, within Georgia or beyond its borders”.

Guests attending the presentation had the opportunity to view the exhibition entitled United Georgia for Europe, in which the exhibits once again brought to the public’s attention Georgian historical figures and historical facts that highlighted the commitment of Georgia and its citizens to European democratic values, Georgia’s historical ties with Europe.

The event gathered representatives of the diplomatic corps working in Georgia, the Georgian government, civil society, the media, various professional circles, teachers, young people and leaders, whose involvement and participation are a prerequisite for the future success of the project.

About the project

The project aims to promote Georgia’s further integration with the European Union through broad public participation and cooperation; legal support and strengthening of civil society, youth, media, business, young lawyers and activists in the country; initiating scholarly research and public dialogue; raising awareness of Georgian society and the international community.

Following activities are planned within the framework of the project:

Elaboration of shadow and monitoring reports on national and EU policies, fostering Georgia’s EU integration;
Expert discussions and debates with participation of European think-tanks and research institutes; Public-Private Multi-stakeholder Thematic Task Forces on EU integration issues to advocate for Georgia’s EU integration;
Coalition Building and Network Creation; Establishment of Regional Civic Councils for European Integration and Establishment of Media Coalition for European Integration;
Capacity Building on the issues of EU integration; thematic Training of Trainers (ToT) for media, CSOs, civil society activities and influencers;
Financial support to the third parties, CSOs, with a special focus on grassroot organizations to initiate projects that promote and support Georgia’s path towards EU integration;
Establishment of Regional Legal Aid Board (RLAB) for providing legal aid to CSOs, media, journalists and civil society actors.
Lectures on Europe in public schools and EU Youth Camps organized for youth from the regions of Georgia;
Production of the relevant content with the support of creative industry, marketing, media production and information and communication technology companies;
EU Information Bus and door to door campaigns throughout Georgia;
High level Conference on Georgia’s EU Integration; Connecting different stakeholders (CSOs, media, academia, private sector, decision-makers, international actors) to promote Georgia’s EU integration;

The project is co-funded by EU and implemented by the consortium led by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in partnership with: Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC), Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) and the Independent Journalists’ House (IJH).

The duration of the project is of 33 months.