Women`s Fund in Georgia :: Grant Making

1. Project title: “One day with/out science”
Organization: Scientist Women for Scientist Women
Region: Tbilisi
Project director: Nino Tomashvili
Project duration: 2 months
Grant amount: 1500 EURO (3.251,10 GEL)
The project is aimed at overcoming sexism and traditional andocentrism in philosophy – significant contribution of Georgian women philosophers to the philosophical is neither visible nor adequately noticed by the wider society. Therefore, the project aims popularization of the work of 4 women philosophers by means of publishing series of brochures “A Woman Scientist”.

2. Project title: “Everything about us”
Organization: Studio Mobile – Accent on Action
Region: Tbilisi
Project director: Lia Jakeli
Project duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 1550 EURO (3.251,10 GEL)
The main purpose of the project is to inform citizens on women’s activism and the meaning of the International Women’s Day as well as to popularize commitments and work of the women’s groups focused on real changes. Accordingly, the project entails preparation of series of 4 interactive TV programs and airing them on a local TV channel (“XII Channel”) covering Kvemo Kaartli region.

3. Project title: “Women and development: rights, reality and perspectives”
Organization: Women for peaceful life
Region: Shida Kartli, Gori
Project director: Marina Samadashvili
Project duration: 2 months
Grant amount: 1476 EURO (2.594,94 GEL)
The project intends to increase activism and interests of internally displaced women and focus of the society on their problems by arranging a conference “Women and development: rights, reality and perspectives”, practical-consultancy seminar “Conflict through women’s eye”, and a round table discussion “The role of women’s organization in the society”.

4. Project title: “March 8 – myth or a real celebration”
Organization: Association of women journalists of Georgia
Region: Tbilisi
Project director: Nana Lomidze
Project duration: 1 months
Grant amount: 1480 EURO (2.774,27 GEL)
The aim of the project concerns history of the International Women’s Day and the role of women in the democratic processes as well as informing wider society on the women’s movement and ideology in Georgia. Therefore, within the project framework, a book titled as “March 8 – myth or a real celebration?!” has been published which entails various articles, documents and interviews on the related topics.

5. Project title: “Gender equality – equal possibilities to women”
Organization: Imedi
Region: Samegrelo, Zugdidi
Project director: Kristine Kilanava
Project duration: 1 months
Grant amount: 1237 EURO (2.681,07 GEL)
The project serves awareness-raising of the local society in Samegrelo region on gender related issues. Therefore, the project targets 7 administrative centers of the region where information meetings over the topics of “International Women’s Day: achievements and challenges” took place; in addition, a civil forum “Gender equality – equal possibilities to women” was held on March 8 in Zugdidi. The project was aired by two radio programs on a local radio channel “Atinati”.

6. Project title: “The day we will never forget”
Organization: International association Women’s Movement for Equality
Region: Tbilisi
Project director: Manana Gambashidze, Baia Romelashvili
Project duration: 1 months
Grant amount: 1490 EURO (2.904,32 GEL)
Within the project framework, 40 women from IDP settlement Tserovani were served in a beauty saloon, had lunch in a café and attended a theatre performance. All these activities took place on March 8.

7. Project title: “Woman”
Organization: Initiative group
Region: Tbilisi
Project director: Dali Kuprava
Project duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 1440 EURO (3.121,06 GEL)
The project is aimed at displaying women’s issues for the wider society. In this regard, the project implies creation of an internet forum femina.ge and releasing 12 articles in a week-end issue of the newspaper “24 hours”.

1. Project title: “Support to IDPs“
Organization: Intellectual Women’s Association “Kartlis Deda“, town Gori, Shida Kartli region
Contact person: Asmat Bejanishvili
Project duration: 2 months
Grant amount: 2 995,00 USD (4 222,95 GEL)

By using a special questionnaire, the project focuses on studying the life-style, problems and needs of IDPs who are displaced from various villages of Shida Kartli and Tskhinvali regions and now live in so called compact settlements in the town Gori. The information gathered in this way will be directed to the structures that can mobilize support for the IDPs. The activities will continue even in case of IDPs return to the place of their permanent residence. The organization leader herself was temporarily displaced from Gori and her office was highly damaged because of the bombings.

2. Project title: “Internship for Young Girls Internally Displaced from the Tskhinvali Region“
Organization: Bridge of Friendship Kartlosi, village Pkhvenisi, Tskhinvali region
Contact person: Nato Chubinidze
Project Duration: 2 months
Grant amount: 2 477,00 USD (3 492,57 GEL)

The organization was located 5 km away from the town Tskhinvali. Now its members are displaced to Gori. The organization has a significant experience of working with local youth and therefore, this project aims to implement various activities for supporting displaced young girls - members of the Youth Parliament (established in Tskhinvali region in 2008). Within the scope of this project, once the professional interests of these young girls are revealed, their professional development will be ensured by providing them with internships in various organizations and companies according to their interests. Besides, the young girls will be taken on a trip to a historical place in Kakheti where the final summarizing meeting will be held.

3. Project title: “Providing Relief to IDPs Living in Severe Conditions”
Organization: Association “Vezhini”, village Vejini, Gurjaani district, Kakheti region
Contact person: Laura Kharitonashvili
Project Duration: 4 months
Grant amount: 2 497,00 USD (3 520,77 GEL)

Kakheti region sheltered more than 6000 IDPs from South Ossetia and Shida Kartli. Part of them has been moved to town Gori (Shida Kartli), but 425 IDPs still stay in Gurjaani district (data by August 27, 2008). At the moment their return to the houses seems impossible due to various reasons. They are either living in compact settlements in town Gurjaani or its 16 nearby villages. The project aims to ensure displaced women’s psycho rehabilitation and adaptation to a new environment. For this purpose, organization “Vezhini” plans to carry out several activities, among them to provide psychological help to approximately 160 women and arrange excursions for them in the historical places of Kakheti.

4. Project title: “Crisis Center for the Victims of Violence”
Organization: Shida Kartli Committee of the “Anti-Violence Network of Georgia”, town Gori, Shida Kartli region
Contact person: Lamara Shakulashvili
Project Duration: 4 months
Grant amount: 2 720,00 USD (3 835,20 GEL)

Unfortunately, many women were subjected to different forms of violence during the war, including sexual violence. However, many prefer to be silent about such facts – which even worsens their situation. The project aims to provide a complex assistance to women who have experienced abuse and violence, including legal, psychological, gynecological and basic medical assistance. In addition, a hot-line will be operating to provide relevant information and psychological assistance to these women and confidentiality will be guaranteed.

5. Project title: “Let’s Help Children Affected by War“
Organization: Association “Biliki”, town Gori, Shida Kartli region
Contact person: Marika Mgebrishvili
Project Duration: 1 month
Grant amount: 2 693,00 USD (3 797,13 GEL)

During the Russian air forces’ attack to Gori, one of its poorest districts (so called Combinat settlement) was bombed and seriously damaged; what’s more, many died, among them a 15 year old child; 2 apartment buildings were totally destroyed and 65 persons were forced to move to a shelter. However, the condition of other buildings in the same settlement is not much better. As children stay in extremely severe conditions in this district, the organization “Biliki” plans to conduct various activities with 30 children, among which it will offer psychological assistance and informal educational support as well as providing children with stationary, books and toys.

6. Project title: “Peace to Women“
Organization: “Tanadgoma XXI”, village Arashenda, Gurjaani, Kakheti region
Contact person: Marina Jikurashvili
Project Duration: 2 months
Grant amount: 1 600,00 USD (2 256,00 GEL)

There are 25 internally displaced women from Gori and Tskhinvali regions left in Arashenda and its nearby villages (Kakheti region). They are homeless as their houses were burned during bombing on August 10. Among them there is 18-year-old pregnant woman who is left alone with no family members alive and there are several women victims of sexual violence in the same area as well. The organization plans to conduct a survey to reveal women who have experienced sexual violence and other war crimes, and gather photo material concerning war. An exhibition “Georgian Woman” will be held as a tribute to the events developed in August 2008. In addition, a psychologist will work with women to help them overcome post-traumatic stress and return to their normal life-style.

7. Project title: “Let’s Care about Women”
Organization: Initiative group of Nikozi, village Nikozi, Tskhinvali region
Contact person: Lia Shatakishvili
Project Duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 2 500,00 USD (3 525,00 GEL)

The members of the Initiative group Nikozi are internally displaced to Tbilisi. Along with psychological and social problems the war worsened their physical conditions as well. From this perspective, the project will address the displaced women’s reproductive health issues, conduct gynecological examination and provide treatment of revealed diseases.

8. Project title: “Assist Yourself and Others“
Organization: Initiative group of Borjomi, town Borjomi
Contact person: Tamar Gogoladze
Project Duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 2 400,00 USD (3 384,00 GEL)

Due to the armed conflict, a part of population from the conflict zone moved to the town Borjomi. At present, there are about 300 IDPs in Brojomi as some returned to the town Gori. Most of them are settled in the private sector (apartments) as well as in compact settlements. Women and children are in an especially heavy condition as they have specific needs that are not met. The project implies to study these problems and to provide assistance accordingly, to reveal women leaders and involve them in helping others as well. In addition, the project activities include publishing of informational leaflets, providing information and direct assistance that address women’s reproductive health.

9. Project title: “From Fancy-work to Doing Business“
Organization: Union “Women for Social Reconstruction”
Contact person: Mariana Lotiashvili, Kutaisi, Imereti region
Project Duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 2 974,45 USD (4 188,80 GEL)
Many internally displaced families are resided in the region of Imereti. As the level of unemployment among them is especially high, women frequently express willingness to start their own small businesses by doing fancy-work. For this purpose, the organization plans to organize a course in needlework for 20 IDP women in one of the settlements in Kutaisi that will enhance their self-realization and self-occupation.

10. Project title: “Psychorehabilitation of Internally Displaced and Local Women and Children Affected by the War“
Organization: Union “Gea XXI”, Zugdidi, Samegrelo region
Contact person: Madona Bulia
Project Duration: 3 months
Grant amount: 2 500,00 USD (3 520,00 GEL)
IDPs are placed in town Zugdidi in 171 families and organizations. A hot-line is operating since the start of the war for local population and displaced people. The hot-line will continue operating within the project framework. Besides, professional psychologists will work directly with women and children (both local and displaced); will teach them various methods to relieve stress. The project also includes visits to historical places. All these activities will help IDPs feel calmer and adapt to the changed environment.

11. Project title: “Psychological Assistance of IDPs“
Organization: Center “Mnatobi”, Zugdidi, Samegrelo region
Contact person: Nana Kiria
Project Duration: 2 month
Grant amount: 2 500,00 USD (3 520,00 GEL)
The target group of the project is a settlement of IDPs located in the hotel “Egrisi” nearby Senaki railway. IDPs displaced from Gali region are settled there (163 persons). It was evident that they needed all kinds of help – social, medical and psychological assistance. However, the main problem identified by IDP women was that they required help of a psychologist. Accordingly, psychologists, psychiatrics and several volunteers will be engaged to assist the IDP women in this area.

12. Project title: Joint project “We Have United for Peace“
Organizations: Charity center “Tanaziari”
Association “Merkuri” Association “Imedi” – IDP Women’s Movement for Peace
Association “Samegrelo-Medea”
Contact persons: Khatuna Bechvaia, Nana Todua, Kristina Kilanava, Marina Davitaia
Project Duration: 2 month
Grant amount: 6 000,00 USD (8 448,00 GEL)
Joint activities of these 4 organizations are focused on Samegrelo and Upper Abkhazia regions. The aim of the union is to conduct coordinated activities for assisting IDP women displaced from Zemo Abkhazia to Samegrelo. At present, there are 185 women and children in Chuberi and 125 in Senaki. Many of them have been displaced for the second time already. After studying their conditions, the target group will be offered medical examination, will be provided by medications, will undergo special trainings and will be supplied with items for everyday use.

Supported settlements:

1. Kindergarten #153, Mukhiani, district 4; contact person: Nana Melanashvili and Lia Shatakishvili. 120 women and 20 children – items for everyday use (detergents, etc.), hygienic items and hygienic pads, toys for children, underwear for women: 733,10 GEL

2. Musical School #3, Varketili 3, district 4; contact person: Shorena Gogiashvili; 140 people, among them 80 women – nutrition, hygienic pads and underwear for women: 460,00 GEL

3. Secondary school #153, Gldani district; contact person: Tsiala Nadiradze. 40 women – hygienic pads and underwear for women: 80,00 GEL

4. Former Military Hospital, Isani district, building #3; contact person: Ushangi Batsikadze. 1500 people – sanitary and hygienic items, gas ovens and frying pans, hygienic pads for women: 497,65 GEL

5. Former Trans-Caucasian Military Department, Tamarashvili str.; contact person: Irina Putkaradze. Sanitary and hygienic items, hygienic pads for women: 200,00 GEL

Apart from the goods bought for the residents of these settlements, WFG has served as a venue where humanitarian aid was collected and distributed. WFG managed to collect second-hand bed linen, clothes and shoes for the settlement at the sport-complex “Manege” (95a, Tsereteli Ave. Tbilisi).

Grant making