During project implementation we will consider gender aspects at all stages. The project itself is designated to benefit both women and men and to activate them in protecting their rights. Women will benefit from the project a lot in terms of better access to data influencing their environment, participating in important decision making processes, etc. We will facilitate active participation of women in all project activities (round-tables, workshops and case studies, other advocacy activities, Conference, etc.). Considering the fact that in regions along to their social activism, women are responsible for family work as well, we always choose appropriate timing and location for our activities in order to facilitate active involvement of women. For better monitoring balance of involvement of men and women in project activities we generally use gender disaggregated data collection for our events.
General aim of the project is to elaborate solid recommendations for improving implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia and overcoming existing barriers on this way. There will be elaborated policy recommendations and also some advocacy activities will be conducted to facilitate their integration in legislation.
Capacity - Building Component
Project is aiming at capacity building of local NGOs/CSOs. Totally, in the range of the project about 20 NGO/CSO representatives will raise their capacity regarding Aarhus Convention issues. Also at some extent the project considers capacity building of governmental representatives as well
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Project will facilitate the awareness raising regarding Aarhus Convention and environmental rights of population.
Notable Community Participation
The project is based on active participation of local NGOs. We aim to involve about 20 local NGOs/CSOs in project activities, as well as local Governmental and media representatives at different stages of the project.
Project Results
1. In the frame of the project we mobilized 33 local NGOs/CSOs representatives and involved them in the process of identification of possible barriers to the implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia and elaboration of recommendations for their solution.
2. In the frame of the project totally 38 representatives of local self-governments were identified and involved in round-table discussions regarding possible barriers to the implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia. Besides, they also have raised their capacity regarding different aspects of Aarhus Convention and its requirements and implications to different areas of municipal programs and services.
3. In the events organized by the project there were involved 11 representatives of different ministries (Environment, Economy, Justice, Agriculture, etc.) and state agencies. They contributed very much to the process of identification of barriers to the implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia and added another angle in terms of planed state interventions for solving these barriers.
4. We have organized 6 round tables in 3 target regions and during these meetings identified existing barriers to the implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia. Also we had the possibility to raise capacity of newly established NGOs/CSOs regarding Aarhus Convention. During the meetings we have also discussed initial drafts of the report and finalized it.
5. 3 round-tables with the participation of local self-government representatives and NGOs/CSOs have been organized. There were discussed the possible ways for improving implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia.
6. About 11 representatives of Ministry of Environment and other Ministries and state agencies participated in meetings and contributed towards bringing state vision to the report regarding implementation of Aarhus Convention in Georgia.
7. In frame of the project we have interviewed 12 leading experts and collected valuable data regarding status of implementation of Aarhus Convention as well as about possible ways for overcoming identified barriers.
8. Online survey was set at: https://esurv.org/?u=Aarhus_Convention_in_Georgia
Totally, during the flow of the project in the survey participated 103 respondents and added information about practical experience of public sector regarding using Aarhus Convention in real life.
9. Together with local NGOs/CSOs we have planed and implemented 9 case studies to check how different aspects of Aarhus Convention work in life. The results of these case studies have been incorporated in general report.
10. Based on all the collected information and materials there was elaborated the report with the policy recommendations. This document was several times discussed with involved NGOs/CSOs, experts and governmental representatives and after these consultations final version was prepared.
11. National Conference was organized in Tbilisi on February 9, 2016 with participation of involved NGOs/CSOs, experts, international organizations, governmental structures and media. Main aim of the conference was to deliver elaborated report and policy recommendations to the decision makers and general public. Along to the Conference, the policy recommendations were directly delivered to the Parliament of Georgia and Government of Georgia.
12. In the frame of the project we have elaborated information materials (flier, T-shirt, video clip). Video clip was delivered to the Public Broadcaster of Georgia for distribution in TV. Fliers were distributed among population during advocacy actions.
13. In the frame of the project we have organized 3 advocacy actions in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Akhaltsikhe. In the actions participated involved NGOs/CSOs, students, media. During actions we have distributed fliers and also delivered policy recommendations to the governmental structures.
