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• Training for Migrant Community Facilitators

  On July 27, 2022, representatives of the Equality Department of the Public Defender’s Office, with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held a training for the facilitators of the migrant community of Georgia on the right to equality and protection from discrimination.

  Within the framework of the training, representatives of the Equality Department introduced the training participants to the standards of equality and protection from discrimination, and, among other things, provided information on the constituent elements of discrimination, types of discrimination and human rights mechanisms. One training session was devoted to the issue of incitement to discrimination and expressions inciting discrimination. During the course of the training, participants had the opportunity, through practical exercises, to identify alleged cases of discrimination, which will help them detect and combat cases of discrimination in the future.

  The Public Defender's Equality Department continues active efforts in the direction of raising the awareness of representatives of private and public spheres about protection against discrimination.

  Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia

• GLOBALink | Xinjiang students enjoy professional skiing training during PE classes

  Since Beijing won the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics, some schools in China have begun to conduct PE classes in ski resorts to let students enjoy professional training. That includes schools in Altay of Xinjiang. #GLOBALink

  Produced by Xinhua Global Service

   

• Georgian Military to undergo RSM Pre-deployment Training in Georgia instead of Germany

  For the first time Resolute Support Mission pre-deployment mission rehearsal exercises for Georgian soldiers is being conducted in Georgia with help of American military staff. Before, such exercises were conducted in Germany where the military units got final evaluation. But currently pre-deployment mission rehearsal exercise is conducted on the Georgia Defence Forces military base. This attests to Georgia’s compliance with NATO standards and is another clear example, that Georgia has capacity and capability to successfully conduct international level exercises on Georgian soil.

  The 13th Battalion of I Infantry Brigade is preparing for participation in the international mission. Today three training zones were arranged in Vaziani – the first unit performed cordon and search operation, second unit was responsible for protection the base and the third unit provided evacuation of the wounded soldiers. Around 600 military personnel participate in the closing exercise, which is the final component of 4-month long intensive preparation. Each stage of training will be evaluated that finally defines readiness level of the battalion to carry out the RSM. Pre-deployment training launched on June 5 and will come to an end on June 15.

  Pre-deployment training is provided by JTEC sub-organization - Peacekeeping Operations Training Center (PKOTC) together with USMC. To date, around 18 000 Georgian military personnel underwent pre-deployment trainings and subsequently served alongside American personnel in ISAF and RSM operations.

  Press release

• You can too! How the EU supports women entrepreneurs in Georgia

  You can too! How the EU supports women entrepreneurs in Georgia?

   

  1. 1.       I want to start my own business, but I’m not sure my idea would work. Who can advise me?

  The European Union is very active in supporting the development of new businesses, particularly among women and particularly in the regions of Georgia, often with a focus on rural and disadvantaged areas. So don’t think that you need to be in Tbilisi, to have a higher education or an established business in order to access EU support – on the contrary!

  The EU supports a number of programmes and business support facilities that provide know how, practical help, and even funding to help you start your business.

  Here are some examples:

  If you are looking for support in agriculture, the ENPARD programme provides information, training, advice and financial support all over Georgia, with hundreds of thousands of farmers benefitting since 2013. Visit the programme’s interactive map to find regional initiatives, contacts, information centres and cooperatives near you.

  The Mayors for Economic Growth programme supports local authorities in developing economic growth and job creation. Among the dozens of local authorities that have signed up in Georgia, three – Bolnisi, Gori and Tbilisi – are running pioneer projects including support for new entrepreneurs with training and business development facilities, ensuring the equal access of women to development opportunities.

   

  1. 2.       Business advice is all very well, but you need money to develop your business. How can I get funding when I have no money of my own and no business experience?

  A number of grants for agricultural projects are available under the ENPARD programme. Follow the calls section on their website to see the list of grant competitions that are available.

  While the local development projects funded under the Mayors for Economic Growth initiative do not provide grants, they will help you to access finance. For example, the SPARK business accelerator set up under the project in Tbilisi offers new businesses assistance in preparing a business plan, and puts you in contact with potential investors and sources of finance. 

  One EU-funded programme offers loans that are specifically tailored to women: Women in Business can provide finance both to start and develop a business. The programme works with local partners Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank and offers preferential terms for women entrepreneurs to finance new business ideas or expand an existing business. Several other projects under the EU4Business initiative also work with local banks to provide loans for SMEs – from micro-finance to major investment loans.

   

  1. 3.       I already have a business, but I need help to take it to the next step: is there any EU support available for me?

  If you already have a business and you are looking to develop, funding (and training) is available through a number of programmes under the EU4Business initiative, which supports private sector development across Georgia.

  Apart from providing loans, Women in Business offers training and subsidised advisory services that are specifically tailored to women-led businesses. The programme also offers a personalised online tool – the Business Lens – to assess your business and see what kind of support you can access.

  Some EU4Business programmes also offer finance for much larger businesses, but others such as the DCTA Initiative East offer microfinance loans up to €25,000. The European Fund for South East Europe (EFSE) also provides small loans (average loan size €14,300) to the smallest businesses (less than 10 employees) in sectors such as agriculture, industry, trade and services. Click here for the full list of finance programmes under EU4Business, here for projects offering training and business advice, and here for projects supporting access to markets.

  Georgian entrepreneurs also have access to the Enterprise Europe Network, which helps Georgian SMEs find business and technology partners across Europe and beyond.

   

  1. 4.       I’m not sure I want to start a business, but I want to learn new skills: is there something for me from the EU?

  Training and skills are a key priority of EU support in Georgia, and the EU provides considerable funding for Vocational Education and Training (VET). The EU recently launched a 150 million GEL programme supporting vocational education and labour market development. The 5-year programme will help 105,000 Georgians find jobs by expanding high quality vocation education, improving labour policies, and supporting entrepreneurship training.

  In terms of direct support, the individual EU4Youth programmes – Say YES: Skills for Jobs, Enhancing Youth Education, Employment and Participation in Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine, Fostering Potential for Greater Employability, and Better Skills for Better Future – have a strong focus on skills for under-35s, especially in less advantaged regions of Georgia, providing training, mentoring and internships to help young people find jobs.

  For young women under the age of 30, the EU offers exciting opportunities under its Erasmus + youth programmes. You can join the almost 10,000 young Georgians who have already learned new skills and developed valuable experience by participating in youth projects or volunteering for work abroad under the European Solidarity Corps.

  And if you are in higher education, Erasmus + offers student exchanges and post-graduate programmes in Europe. Find out more about all the opportunities and how to apply.

   

  1. 5.       Are there women like me, who started their own business with EU help?

  There are lots!

  Nata, Manana, Irina and Dali all received grants under the ENPARD programme. Natalia and Irina come from Tbilisi, Manana from Tsalka, and Dali from Upper Alvani. Natalia grows cucumbers, Irina tomatos, Manana runs a tea processing enterprise, and Dali combines honey production with educational courses. They have all developed their business with the help of EU training and grants.

  Irina Gloveliand Tekla Mamageishvili both received advisory support as part of the Women in Business programme. For Tekla, the project helped to plan the activities of her eye clinic more strategically and attract financial resources, while Irina received help to put her engineering company’s financial reporting in order, leading to a 7.5% rise in profits.

  Manana Chqareuliworked from home as a seamstress. With the help of loans under the EFSE programme, she was able to upgrade her equipment, lease a proper workspace and hire staff to develop her business. Now her company is on its way to becoming a brand in its own right.

  Diana Bakradze and Anna Varamashvili benefitted from skills training and internships under a project for ‘Support of vulnerable youth to become productive citizens through learning, training and employment’, an important step to an independent professional life.

  Click here for more success stories from ENPARD, here to find out what the city of Bolnisi is doing under the Mayors for Economic Growth project, and here to learn about five Georgian women who have benefited from EU support across a range of areas.

   

  1. 6.       Whom can I ask for help?

  Visit the ENPARD website to find contact information in all the different regions of Georgia, and check the programme’s interactive map to find regional initiatives, contacts, information centres and cooperatives near you.

  Look at the Mayors for Economic Growth website to see if your town is among the signatories and what it is doing to support jobs and businesses near you.

  If you already have a business and are looking to develop it, check out the training and funding opportunities available under EU4Business in Georgia.

  For education and youth opportunities, contact the national Erasmus + office in Georgia.

  And don’t forget to follow the EU Delegation to Georgia on Facebook for updates and new opportunities.

   

• Awarding Ceremony of 43rd Battalion

  The military servicemen of the 43rd Battalion were awarded with medals for participating in Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan. The awarding ceremony was held in IV Mechanized Brigade, Vaziani.

  Military servicemen of the 43rd Battalion received the medals “For Participation in Peacekeeping Operations” from NATO and Georgian side. 25 military were awarded with MoD service medals - “General Kvinitadze”, “Devoted for Homeland” and “Giorgi Antsukhelidze” for their special merit in the mission. 

  Brigadier General Alexander Kiknadze addressed the 43rd Battalion and expressed gratitude for their successful fulfillment of the mission.  

  The 43rd Battalion of IV Mechanized Brigade carried out Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan under the U.S. Command for eight months.