Programmes

The project seeks to empower Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), especially from the regions of Georgia, to engage and participate in DCFTA/SME policy formulation through DCFTA and SME legislative monitoring, sector studies, well-established networking mechanisms and awareness rising.

Objectives

The overall objective of the action is to strengthen the role and engagement of CSOs in policy-making process on issues of the DCFTA and SMEs.

The specific objective of the action is to improve participatory decision-making practices and information on DCFTA/SME issues in order better to serve the needs of Georgian SMEs, through empowering CSOs in research, advocacy, monitoring and engagement in public-private dialogue and networking mechanisms.

Beneficiaries

CSOs and SMEs in five regions chosen for the action: Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti

Activities:

• selecting CSOs from target regions; identifying multipliers;
• development of training manual for CSOs on the issues of DCFTA and SME strategy and policies;
• capacity building trainings and workshops for CSOs;
• analytical research and policy recommendations on DCFTA and SME policy choices;
• regular dialogue forums in Tbilisi and regions between political decision makers, CSOs and SME representatives;
• production of information video clips and dissemination on regional TV channels and social networks;
• field visits of CSOs and information campaigns on DCFTA and SME policies.

Expected results by the end of the project include:

• 30 CSOs from five regions identified and engaged in the project;
• at least 150 representatives from local CSOs engaged in networking activities;
• training manuals developed and published;
• 5 capacity building trainings (one per region) and 5 workshops (one per region) organised;
• 100 representatives of local CSOs trained to monitor implementation of DCFTA and SME policies;
• 5 forums per year for consultations among CSOs in each region;
• 30 research briefs produced and disseminated;
• dialogue forums established in Tbilisi and regions between political decision makers, CSOs, EU Delegation representatives to facilitate coordination and quality of policies designed on DCFTA and SME issues – overall 10 policy dialogue forums will be conducted throughout the project lifetime;
• 3 information videos produced and disseminated;
• 50 information campaigns conducted.