1. Commission on Multicultural Dialogue and Mutual Understanding

The aim of the Commission is to promote the interests of IDPs and facilitate the solution of their problems on the territory of their present residence as well as to advocate their peaceful repatriation through peace building and reconciliation programmes. The Commission is comprised of public figures, representatives of NGO and power structures, Mass Media, business and church. People from different fields are working in different directions.

The activities of the Commission on the first stage involve, but are not limited to, conducting trainings and consultations for the member of the Commission, considering new initiatives such as conceptions of conflict resolution, peace building initiatives, advocating for improvement of living conditions of IDPs, preparing and disseminating information materials.

Within the framework of the activities undertaken by the Commission the trainings are conducted for the representatives of local administration in inter-boundary zones. Civil Forums, joint seminars are held for the government and community activists and debates are organized on the issues of vital importance.


2. Psycho-Rehabilitation Assistance

Since 1995 the Association has been working on psychosocial rehabilitation of children residing in the compact settlements through organizing the rooms, additional classes, training of teachers in compact settlements and establishing the libraries for the needy.

New Year Tree celebrations are annually conducted in IDP compact settlements in Tbilisi and Gori where the presents are distributed among children and concerts are held accompanied with refreshments (financial assistance provided by the Association of Evangelical Churches EED (Germany), HAELLA).

Over the course of several years the children’s room has been functioning in the Republican Hospital in Tbilisi and Psycho Rehabilitation Center in Gori.


Working with Children in the Republican Hospital

The republican hospital represents one of the centers of IDP compact settlements in Tbilisi. The families live in practically functioning departments and in wards. In most cases, the families are of former wounded people that have undergone treatment in the hospital and made their lodging there ever since. More than 100 children reside in the hospital on a permanent basis. These children were deprived of both the place for their games and studies. Due to extreme poverty the majority of them lack opportunity to buy school textbooks. The children are left on their own since the parents are busy in search of a piece of bread. The association “Consent” strived for rendering adequate assistance to IDPs and children in particular. A room for children’s classes was built within the framework of the project financially supported by the Association of Japanese Women “Cosmo”. The circles of knitting drawing, fretwork are functioning at present and teachers actively work with the children by helping them do their lessons. There is a permanent library of textbooks. New Year Tree celebrations are conducted and presents are distributed for children on a regular basis.

The children are involved in amateur art activities and preparing festive concerts for different festive occasions.


Working in the Children’s Psycho-Rehabilitation Center in Gori

The Children’s Center was established based on the branch of the Association in Gori where the following circles are functioning: drawing for junior and senior schoolchildren, needlework (knitting, dress-making, embroidery and sewing), foreign languages, photography, computers, woodworking workshop, sports (Kh. Lobzhanidze - head of the programmes). Not only IDPs from Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia, but the local children residing in the neighborhood as well attend the above-mentioned circles. As a result of the conducted activities the children’s cognitive skills have considerably improved and their involvement in the youth and children networks have become more active. The children were enabled to take part in the work of the children’s magazine "White Crane" and participate in the rehabilitation and peace building camps, trainings focused on the rights of the child.

Mobile medical team (N. Erkvania, I. Shonia, Ts. Grdzelishvili, M. Kharashvili) conducts regular checkups in compact settlements in Gori and neighboring villages (Ergneti, Shindisi, Tkviavi, Beloti, Arzneti, Kndgisi, Variani, Didsishi and etc.), renders first aid, makes prescription and distributes necessary medical supplies. The doctors of the mobile group provide consultations, conduct lectures, hold conversations with the population and distribute information bulletins.

Similar programmes are implemented in Bordjomi district and lower zone of Gali district. The mobile group headed by N. Tarbaya carries out field activities in 14 villages of lower zone, provides the population with free medical assistance and consultations.


3. Educational Programmes

The seminars on alternative methods of conflict resolution, conciliation, and alternatives to violence have been conducted to IDP informal leaders in different regions of Georgia. The certified trainers of the association “Consent” conduct trainings and seminars on the following topics:

- NGO Organizational Development;
- Proposal Writing;
- Planning;
- Volunteers;
- Leadership;
- Active Communication;
- Negotiations and Conflict Resolution;
- Women’s Rights;
- IDPs` Rights;
- Gender Equality;
- AIDS Prevention.

The educational programmes were supported by EED, IDEE, BERGHOF Foundation and Conciliation Recourses.


Within the framework of the South Caucasus Women Network the Association has held the Forums: "Youth Problems in Rural Areas" (Gardabani), "Unemployment in Youth Leading to Increase of Criminality and Drug Addiction" (Batumi), trans-boundary forum "Migration and Searching for the Ways of Problem Solution" (Batumi), "Social-Economic Problems of the Population in Conflict Zones" (Gori).

In collaboration with the Peace Institute (USA) the Association has organized the regional seminars for NGO leaders and political parties on conflict resolution and negotiation skills.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) within the framework of the Network CRINGO has financed the organization of the action for distributing school text-books for the most vulnerable IDPs. The action was held in Tbilisi (for IDPs from Abkhazia in two compact settlements) as well as in Gori (for IDPs from Tskhinvali).

There is a Sunday School for young leaders functioning in the Association for whom the trainings on analysis and conflict transformation are conducted. The trainings are conducted according to the specific manual “Discussions on Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict” drawn up by Abkhazian and Georgian scientists with the support kindly provided by BERGHOF foundation and Conciliation Resources. Similar trainings are conducted for the students in Abkhazian State University (Sukhumi) that enables to train young people from conflict zones according to the single programme.

Young trainers trained by the Association conduct trainings in Tbilisi, Zugdidi and also in the regions especially for the national minorities (Gardabani, Rustavi, Marneuli).


4. Peace-building Programmes

Over the course of seven years Peace Camps were conducted for the children and teenagers from conflict zones. Georgians, Ossetians and Abkhazian children take part in these camps. Annually 40-50 children participate in the programme. The project is implemented with the financial support of UNHCR, UNV, EED, and Swiss Red Cross.

Young leaders from the republics of South Caucasus and the Crimea were brought together in summer camps. The Dialogue of Young Leaders for Peace was held and skilled trainers, psychologists and teachers were working with youth. The head of the project is Julia Kharashvili. The implementation of the project has become possible owing to the financial support kindly provided by the "Canadian Feed the Children", UNV, IDEE, EED, Conciliation Resources. Children from conflict zones of the South Caucasus and neighboring states (Georgians, Ossetians, Abkhazians, Armenians, Azerbaijans, Russians, and the Crimean Tatars) were taking part in Young Leaders` Dialogue.

The members of the Association take part in Georgian-Abkhazian Women Dialogue.


5. Humanitarian Assistance Programmes

The humanitarian assistance in the form of foodstuffs (butter, flour, sugar, condensed and dried milk) provided by EED is distributed to IDP women on Mother’s Day, the 3rd of March, war veterans and single persons. According to the prescriptions made by the doctors of mobile group the necessary medicines are distributed among the population.

The members of the Association congratulate the participants of World War II on the victory and present them with memorable gifts.

Annually 500 children from the needy IDP families receive New Year presents.


6. Small Grant Programmes

In order to increase the economic welfare of IDPs the Association conducts educational trainings on defining priorities, proposal writing and implementation. The most successful participants of the trainings receive support in the form of small grants or technical assistance. Such endowments are considered and approved by the Board of Directors. Within the framework of such endowment the assistance has been provided in Tbilisi, Tskaltubo, Zugdidi, Nabakevi, Gori, Gardabani (EED).

There are 38 IDP families residing in the compact settlement "Elctromeurneoba" in Tskaltubo. The center was provided by water twice a week for an hour. The initiative of local activists to install a separate line with the help of volunteers of the community was supported by the Association. A new line has been installed and at present the center is constantly supplied by water.

One of the small-scale projects is implemented in the hotel "Akademicheskaya" in IDP compact settlement. Certain funds have been allocated for IDPs starting up their small business and for those who have already opened a shop selling perfumery, cosmetics, detergents, crockery. The funds have been allocated for broadening the range of goods.

The electric wiring has been repeatedly installed in the Michael Arkhangel hospital. As a result of the special training conducted by the Association several IDP women have drawn up a project of Sunday school for the children from compact settlement situated on the territory of the hotel “Akademicheskaya”. The goal of the project was to introduce the children to different school disciplines, teach them the basics of sewing, knitting and embroidery, thus distract them from the street and inculcate habits of work in them.

For the branch of the Association in Tskaltubo there have been purchased: cow, sewing-machine, four bee houses and electric ovens for baking. Everyone receiving technical assistance pass the part of their production to the most vulnerable families.

The hairdresser’s was opened, psycho-rehabilitation room was equipped and the needy nurses received cows in Nabakevi village.


7. The Branch of the Association in Gori

The branch was established in 2002. The volunteers of the branch work towards the active involvement of Internally Displaced Persons in public activities.

The educational trainings are conducted for the volunteers of the programme for over the course of a year. The meetings of women and youth are held and the members of the Association’s branch work with the children and teenagers.

Great attention is paid to advocating the needs of IDPs, namely to establishing business relations with the local administration.

The branch also works in the conflict zone in the villages of Liakhvi gorge.


8. The Branch of the Association in Tskaltubo

The Association supports the initiatives of IDP women in starting up small businesses.

Various circles such as languages, knitting and music are functioning for children and young people.

On a regular basis the certified trainers conduct trainings for IDP women on leadership, prevention of home violence and development of small business.

The mobile group conducts preventive checkups and consultations and in case of need directs IDPs to the corresponding medical institution for treatment.


9. The Branch of the Association in Lower Zone of Gali District

Regular medical checkups of the population are carried out, necessary medical assistance is provided and medicines are distributed to the needy. Experienced doctors provide women and children with consultations.

The activities are organized in schools and the teachers are trained. The trainings on analysis, conflict resolution and gender equality are conducted for the doctors and teachers of Nabakevi and Pirveli Gali. The trainings were also conducted to the members of a single establishment of joint activities of Abkhaz and Georgians – Inguri HPS.

Women - the members of the Association are provided assistance in improving their economic conditions. (Through technical support)