The project ”Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” (CSSIGE) was developed and is implemented by the consortium led by the Konrad­-Adenauer­-Stiftung in cooperation with four Georgian Civil Society Organizations: Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) and Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC).

The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

The overall objective of the initiative is to improve the operational environment for civil society in Georgia, through empowering CSOs, increasing their accountability towards constituencies and amplifying their linkages to other actors.

In order to ensure efficient outreach and sustainability of the “Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” and its outcomes nation-wide, as well as contribute to experience sharing and networking on regional and national levels, the project established hubs in all 10 regions of Georgia. Local Democracy Agency Georgia is a regional hub in Imereti. The main function of Regional hub in Imereti is to mobilize and strengthen the local community. The creation of a regional HUB will increase the influence of civil society members at the local level, establish new contacts, and increase the qualification and capacity of NGO representatives; Improve outcomes that will be implemented by collaborative activities; increase the resources and capacity of civil society; to plan and organize various activities; to support for Hub member organizations in project writing, financial management and public relations. The establishment of the Hub will also help to work on innovations that enhance and reinforce the role of civil society.

This, what is mentioned above implies:

Providing consultations to civil society/community organizations operating in the municipalities of the Imereti region. Consultative meetings are held every month in all twelve municipalities of the Imereti region to provide information and consultations on the activities envisaged/considered by the project.In total, 26 meetings were held.

Discover legal assistance through the hotline service. Any interested person from the Imereti region has an opportunity to receive information remotely about interested legal issue/not only. In total 178 consultations are given away.

Training about effective monitoring mechanisms. In order to increase civil society accountability, organizations accountability and transparency quality and improve public attitude, Local Democracy Agency Georgia provides trainings about importance of accountability and transparency for civil society and community organizations. In total, 8 training were held.

Meetings with youth in the municipalities of Imereti region. LDA Georgia holds meetings with young people at universities and schools in the Imereti region – about “Importance and aim of civil society organizations”. In order to promote the volunteering principles meetings are held for young people. In total, 26 meeting were held.

In order to carry out effective communication, the bases of the civil society and community organizations in the Imereti region are being prepared and periodically updated. Currently there are 144 civil society; 15 community and 18 media organizations.

An informational booklet was prepared and disseminated, in which there is an information about civil society organizations is operating in the Imereti region. Which ensures access to information on the mandate areas and contact information of civil society organizations of the Imereti Region municipality.

Informational meetings with responsible official persons of relationship, with civil society organizations and other public workers in municipalities of the Imereti region. In total 8 meetings were held. At the meetings, the regional hub focuses on the role and importance of ciil society, as well as the concept of transition to state funding for civil society organizations. In total were held: 8 meeting, which was attended 90 persons.

In order to communicate effectively, on the bases of organization website has created a regional hub section, which is updated periodically. Interested persons has an opportunity to get to know activities which were implemented during the project. This activity brought together representatives of civil society and community organizations in the municipalities of the Imereti region. www.ldageorgia.ge

The regional hub provides opportunities for civil society and community organizations operating in the region to attract potential funding and promote a volunteering culture. Regarding this, the organization ensured the holding two regional forums. Representatives of local civil society organizations, self-government, business and media took part in the forum. In total: 411 persons were presented.

The regional hub with support of partner organizations provides public discussions about various active topics for the groups interested in the development challenges and perspectives, local government, civil society organizations, business, representatives of academic communities. Already has implemented two public discussions – about "Decentralization Reform in Georgia, Strategy and Challenges". In total, 140 people attended the meetings.