OPEN SOCIETY GEORGIA FOUNDATION: LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT PROGRAM 2000

1. Introduction

The Local Self-Government Program 2000 prioritizes the following areas: promotion of non-governmental organizations working on local self-government issues, facilitation of local elections, popularization of the idea of local self-government, vocational training of local personnel, promotion of Sakrebulos (Councils), etc.

The foundation is trying to find the ways of cooperation between local self-government institutions and national non-governmental organizations in order to identify and solve problems with common efforts.

2. Program Goal

The main goals of the Local Self-Government Program 2000 are:

- To raise the level of education among local government authority personnel.
- To conduct political analysis.
- To ensure transparency of the decision making process at the local level.

3. Priority Areas

In order to fulfill its goals, the Local Self-Government Program 2000 will prioritize the following areas:

3.1. Local Self-Government Training and Analysis Center

After the local elections, many individuals, that have never had an experience of management before, became members of the Sakrebulos. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of literature dealing with similar issues in Georgian and there is no effective device for education of local government personnel. Laws on that topic are not available in regions. Reasons of the above-mentioned problems are the following:

- Shortage of experts in the area of local self-government.
- Lack of experience.
- Human resources are not concentrated.

The Local Self-Government Program 2000 of the foundation will support projects, which aim at conducting analysis and training in the above-mentioned field. The program will promote establishment of the vocational training and analysis center for local self-government structures.
 

3.2. Transparency Pilot Projects

In the year 2000, the foundation plans to launch pilot projects in various regions of Georgia. The program will identify two regions of Georgia where the projects will be carried out. Results of the project then will be disseminated in other regions of Georgia. The goals of the pilot project will be ensuring tight links between the community and local self-government institutions, involving the population in the decision making process and facilitating the development of community-based organizations. Such activities will promote transparency of activities carried out by local government authorities.

3.3. Promotion of NGOs Working on the Local Self-Government Issues

In 2000, the OSGF will award grants for institutional support of NGOs working on the local self-government issues. Special attention will be paid to conflict areas populated by ethnic minorities.

The Open Society Georgia Foundation will support joint projects of those non-governmental organizations, which have other sources of funding (own resources, other donor organizations or local government authorities).


IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT IN GEORGIA

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Because  local  government  has  existed in  Georgia for  less than  two years  (the first  local councils (sakrebulos)  were  elected  in  November  1998)  the system  of local  governance continues  to encounter many problems. It is essential that the public focus attention on these issues due to the  significance of local democracy in the success of nation-wide democratic reforms.

COMPETITION GOAL
The  main  goal  of  the  competition  is to  promote the  establishment of  an effective  and transparent system  of  Georgian local  government that  enables citizen  participation in  decision-making processes,thereby facilitating maximum consideration and defense of citizen interests.
The competition is financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

COMPETITION OBJECTIVES
The competition will support projects aimed at:
Training  members  of  local  government  councils  (sakrebulos)  in  skills  necessary  to effectively  fulfill  their  duties.

Implementation  and  perfection  of  mechanisms  for  interaction  among sakrebulos.

Establishment and development of systems for information and experience exchange among sakrebulos from different regions of the country.

Conducting training programs for sakrebulo members and representatives of the media and NGOs in methods for cooperation among sakrebulos and society.

Development of mechanisms to improve citizen access to information about the aetivities of sakrebulos.

Introduction   and   development   of   mechanisms   for   on-going   cooperation   among  sakrebulos and the public.

Implementation ofother projects aimed at promoting the overa11 goals ofthe competition.

PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION
Non-governmental, state and private organizations, including independent media entities, are eligible to participate in the competition if they are registered in accordance with prevailing legislation.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINE
Applicant organizations shall present the following documents:
- Five copies ofthe proposal in Russian or English.
- A copy of the Charter of the organization.
- A copy ofthe Certificate ofRegistration ofthe organization.
- Copy of the complete Balance Sheet for the last reporting period.
- Resumes (CVs) for the project director, accountant and the other main project participants.
- An  accompanying  letter  from  the  governing  board  of  the  applicant organization  regarding (1)the authority ofthe project director and (2)  the board's  agreement for  the organization  to carry out  the  project  in  compliance with  the procedures  of the Foundation.  This letter  should include the complete names of all members of the governing board.
- Details regarding the organization's bank accounts (local and foreign currency}.
- If the applicant organization is a sakrebulo, it is necessary to present letters of support signed by the chair and secretary of the sakrebulo, as well as the leaders of majority factions signaling their agreement to carry out the project in compliance with the procedures of the Foundation.
A detailed itemized budget must be submitted together with the project.
Applications should be submitted to the Georgia Office ofthe Eurasia Foundation not later than 18:00,
June 28, 2000.


THE FIRST-EVER GLOBAL MINISTERIAL ENVIRONMENT FORUM

NAIROBI, 20 April, 2000 - Next month, Environment Ministers from around the world will gather for a unique world environment meeting - the first-ever Global Ministerial Environment Forum.  The event, part of the Sixth Special Session of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will be held in Malmoe, Sweden, from 29 to 31 May 2000.

At the Forum, Environment Ministers will discuss major global environmental challenges in the 21st century as well as strategic policy responses to address them.
The main themes for the meeting include:
- Major environmental challenges in the new century
- Private sector and the environment
- Civil society - responsibility and role towards the environment in a globalised world

The outcome of the Forum will be presented later this year to the fifty-fifth session of the General Assembly - the Millennium Assembly.

The Malmoe Forum will provide the world's Environment Ministers and global leaders from academia, business and civil society with a unique opportunity to share their views and to strengthen their partnerships for progressive actions aiming at effective environmental protection and sustainable development.

The meeting will open at 11 a.m. on Monday, 29 May.  More information on the event can be found on the web at:
http://www.unep.org/unep/malmo/default.asp
For further information  please contact:
Anders Renlund, Press Officer, UNEP Regional Office for Europe, Geneva,
on tel: +41-22-917-8272, fax: +41-22-797-3464,
email: anders.renlund@unep.ch


THE REUTERS FOUNDATION’S ENVIRONMENT IN THE NEWS WORKSHOP IN LONDON.

The Reuters Foundation (RF) is accepting applications for its June 12 through June 23  Environment in the News Workshop in London.

The program will bring together about a dozen journalists from around the world for a two-week, practical program focusing upon the
importance of environmental coverage.

The course is part of a program run by RF instructors in centers throughout the world. Full-time journalists or regular contributors to
newspapers, news agencies, magazines and radio or television based in any country may apply. Applicants must speak and write English.

There are no age or experience requirements, but usually participants have committed to a career in journalism and are between 23 and 35 years old.

The Reuters Foundation will pay for training materials, economy class travel and student-style accommodations. Participants will be selected
on merit. The decision of the Reuters Foundation selection board is final.

The deadline for submission of the application form is May 15. Applications should be faxed to Jo Weir at (44 207) 542- 8599.

For more details and an application form, contact Jo Weir, project director at Reuters Foundation, 85 Fleet Street, London EC4P 4AJ,
England. Tel: (44 207) 542- 5872. Fax: (44 207) 542-8599. E-mail: jo.weir@reuters.com , or visit
http://www.foundation.reuters.com/envnews.html


INFORMAL MEETING OF THE NGOS ACCREDITED TO CIS CONFERENCE HELD

Informal meeting of the NGOs accredited to CIS conference was held in the Office of UNA-Georgia on May 6, 2000. Event was co-organized by UNHCR with UNA-Georgia. The meeting was attended by 20 national and international non-government organizations accredited to CIS conference. The main objective of the meeting was the discussion of Geneva CIS conference follow-up.

The UNHCR Protection Officer Mr. Dirck Hebecker opened the meeting. In his presentation he reviewed the main activities of UNHCR in Georgia and stressed the ongoing developments related to CIS conference process.

Non-governmental organizations expressed their position concerning CIS conference follow-up. It was noted that the process of the conference was valuable first of all for NGOs and that it was necessary to ensure continuation of this process.

Various opinions were expressed concerning the continuous functioning of the working groups. Opinions were split in two directions: region specific or issue specific.

At the end of the meeting participants agreed to the necessity of the NGOs participation in CIS conference process and stressed the necessity of increased responsibilities on behalf of the national NGOs.

UNA-Georgia and UNHCR are planning to organize the second meeting in the first decade of June.

For detailed information please contact us at:
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
2 Dolidze St., Tbilisi 380015, Georgia
Tel/Fax: 33 52 16; 33 25 16; 99 35 16
E-mail: una@caucasus.net
www.una.org.ge


GLOBAL NETWORK ON WOMEN'S ADVOCACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY

The Global Network on Women's Advocacy and Civil Society is soliciting papers for an electronic conference to be held in the Fall 2000. The topic of the conference is "Women's Organizations and the Building of Civil Society." Thematically, the papers are designed to contribute to the United Nations' Year of the Volunteer scheduled for 2001.

We are especially interested proposals from Latin America, Africa and Asia, though other areas will be considered. Submissions of the proposed studies are due May 15, 2000 and the selection will be made by June 1, 2000.  The paper needs to reflect original research and be of journal length and publishable quality. We welcome submissions for papers from scholars and practitioners alike, who are working on issues relating to women's advocacy and civil society. Completed studies will receive a $500 honorarium upon their selection. Partial or proposed studies will receive $250 upon their selection and $250 upon their completion, but no later than August 15, 2000.

The studies will be published electronically in the Global Network's Electronic Conference and serve as the basis for a "real time" international conference. The conference will be held on October 19, 2000 and then archived and available electronically. Papers will also be published on the website of the Center for the Study of Philanthropy (CSP), and be issued as part of the CSP Working Paper Series. Efforts will be made to place the study in a Special Issue of an appropriate journal. Negotiations will be held with various publishers.

Publication is not contingent on funding. Non-funded papers, with the consent of the authors, may also be published electronically as part of the conference.  To apply, please submit the paper or a 3-5 page proposed outline, along with a cover letter,  current curriculum vitae, and current contact information to GNET@binghamton.edu


OPEN SOCIETY GEORGIA FOUNDATION CONTESTS: WOMEN NATIONAL PROGRAMME

Competition
Women's Condition in Georgia's Regions (Information and Documentation for Protection of Women's Right)

Goals
The goal of the competition is to create information banks about women's conditions and problems in Georgia's regions for further analyses of the information and implementation of women's rights protecting relevant activities.

Objectives
- Carry out preliminary activities for bringing attention of the society towards women's problems.
- Alleviate activities of women's NGOs, initiative groups and individuals.
- Intensify interregional contacts.
- Broaden women's activities in the country.

Participation Terms
The following are eligible to participate in the program:

- Any organization in Georgia's regions registered as nongovernmental, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
- Initiative groups in Georgia's regions.
- Individuals who have already implemented a part of relevant activity.
- Tbilisi-based women's organizations in collaboration with regional bodies.

Project Profile
Projects proposals must meet the following requirements:

1. Amount requested from the foundation should not exceed 3,000 US dollars. In total five grants will be awarded by the OSGF. Total budget may exceed 3,000 US dollars in case co-funding from other sources is available.

2. Co-funding Documents
If the project requires co-funding, official papers certifying that the project will or can receive any additional funding should be attached to the project proposal. Assistance can be financial and in-kind donation, or consulting. Source of assistance can be internal or external, government or private, national or international.

2 June - Application deadline at 18:00.
June - July - The Board makes decision on project funding.


A NEW ISSUE OF SEAL IS AVAILABLE AT THE HORIZONTI FOUNDATION

For the information of all NGOs working on social economy and legal issues and other interested organizations: The Horizonti Foundation is currently distributing the Winter 2000 issue of the quarterly English language bulletin - SEAL (Social Economy and Law) - of the European Foundations Center (EFC)

Interested organizations should contact the Horizonti Foundation at 33 Gogebashvili St., Tbilisi, and phone: (99532) 292955.


ASSOCIATION CATALIZATORI (CATALYST) HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN ZUGDIDI CITY

A new NGO has been registered in Zugdidi City. It is called: the Association Catalizatori (Catalyst). The Association aims at supporting local IDPs, socially vulnerable gifted youth, assisting the development of agriculture in the region, supporting local and regional CBOs, creating jobs for local unemployed etc.

Contact address: 12 Tsminda Nino St., Zugdidi, tel: + 2 35 56
Contact person: Nino Javakhya


ATINATI

With the goal of broadening its information and consultation service, the association Atinati began implementing a new project. The project was financially supported by the Institute of Democracy in Eastern Europe  (Washington DC).
The project is designed to support the goals of democracy and building a foundation for democratic society in the Zugdidi region (west Georgia).
Along with the project, the association keeps refining its database of local NGOs, issuing an NGO directory, providing local citizens with free legal consultations, compiling for them registration papers, helping in writing projects etc. Recently the association established a special library for NGOs.

Contact information: 29 Agmashenebeli St., Zugdidi,
tel: + 2 12 77, 2-77 08, cell: 899 57 54 57,
E-mail: ATINATI@iberiapac.ge


GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN

The Global Fund for Women makes grants to seed, support, and strengthen women's rights groups around the world. The Global Fund Women's areas of interests include improving women's health and reproductive rights, challenging harmful traditional practices, increasing women's economic independence, expanding girls' access to education, ensuring disabled women's rights, engaging in peace-building and conflict resolution efforts, and strengthening women's political participation. Since 1987 The Global Fund for Women has given almost $14 million in grants to women's rights groups in 148 countries and territories.

ENQUIRIES:  Global Fund for Women
Tel:  (+1) (650)  853-8305
Fax:  (+1) (650)  328-0384
E-mail: gfw@globalfundforwomen.org
WWW: http://www.globalfundforwomen.org


URBAN 21 - GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE URBAN FUTURE

URBAN 21 - Global Conference on the Urban Future, will be held in the International Congress Center Berlin on 4-6 July 2000.

Within the framework of the EXPO2000 and is one of the key elements of the Global Initiative on Sustainable Development, sponsored by Brazil, Germany, Singapore and South Africa. URBAN 21 is aimed at all experts who are involved in the development of towns and cities and who support the improvement of living and environmental conditions in urban areas. For registration form please contact Professor Walter Leal Filho at the E-mail: leal@tutech.de
Alternatively, you may register online on the conference website
http://www.urban21.de


DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL IS CALLING AN NGO MEETING

On May 25-27, 2000 the working group on Refugee Law and Protection, together with Danish Refugee Council as a lead agency, will have meeting in Georgia.

In connection with the visit from Mette Soes Lassesen, DRC, Copenhagen, heading the working group, Danish Refugee Council is inviting to an information meeting Sunday 28th 14.00 - 17.00 at Imereti NGO House.

The meeting will inform about the CIS Conference (annual steering group meeting of the CIS to be held in July) process in general, and Georgian representatives from some of the working groups will inform about their work in the CIS Conference framework.

The objective of the meeting is to inform local and international NGOs, who are not participating in the working groups, about the ongoing process in the CIS Conference.

Imereti NGO House, where the meeting will be held, is located at #94 Tsereteli Street, Kutaisi.


GEORGIA OFFICE OF THE DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, nongovernmental organization whose aims are to protect refugees from persecution and promote lasting solutions to the problems of refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees.
Danish Refugee Council was founded in 1956.
Danish Refugee Council's International Department was established in 1990, and is presently engaged with repatriation and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, Angola, Azerbaijan and other countries.
Danish Refugee Council started its activities in Georgia in October 1999 after a two months period of survey of where to set up the program. DRC received a grant from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to give support to the internally displaced persons in Georgia and to vulnerable locals. The project was to be operating in West Georgia, and in September it was decided to settle in Imereti Region, with head office of the organization in Kutaisi.
4 Davitashvil Street, Kutaisi. Phone: 231 7 79 71. Fax 231 7 04 90.
E-mail: drc@sanetk.net.ge. Web: http://www.drc.dk

NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER GEORGIAN HUMAN RESOURCES CENTER

The National Project Manager will be responsible for assisting GHRC during its first 36 months of operation on all matters relating to organisational structure, finance, budgeting, personnel (including training), equipment procurement, administration and the preparation of reports. His/her responsibilities will include:

** To carry out, in cooperation with relevant staff, the practical implementation of the project outputs as identified in the Project Document, including such tasks as i) staff recruitment for the center, ii) making all arrangements for office staff's participation in training courses, and iii) purchasing office equipment.
** To continually monitor the project and to ensure that the project outputs as identified in the Project Document are achieved, including such tasks as i) reporting to UNDP and donors, ii) preparation of work plans.
** To assume responsibility for the financial management and administration of the project.
** To assume responsibility for the sustainability of the project and the center through fundraising and networking,

Qualification and experience:

At least five years experience in senior management or administration. Experience in design and implementation of strategic plans and management development and staff training programmes is essential. Experience in working in similar positions is preferred. Good command of English Language is required. Demonstrated ability to take initiative is essential.

Please approach the UNDP Country Office for the complete ToR and for further information.


ASSISTANT TO THE NATIONAL PROJECT MANAGER FOR GEORGIAN HUMAN RESOURCES CENTER

Under the general supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent should perform a variety of information collecting, monitoring, technical and administrative services in support of project activities. His/her responsibilities will include:

** To support the project manager in performing his/her responsibilities.
** To prepare background material for use in discussions and briefing sessions.
** To translate relevant documents into English and Georgian.
** To perform personnel work, such as maintenance of personnel records and files.
** To maintain office equipment and keep inventory lists.

Qualification and experience:

Completion of technical or university courses in a field related to the activities of the GHRC. Good communication skills and ability to work in group and independently. Ability to use office equipment. Good typing and computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word. At least three years experience of working in similar positions. Excellent writing and communication skills in Georgian and English.

Please approach the UNDP Country Office for the complete ToR and for further information.


ICRC ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD OF DELEGATION

The Georgia Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is looking for a suitably qualified person for the position of Assistant to the Head of Delegation.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

** Support the Head of Delegation in day-to day activities with scheduling (maintaining diary), travel arrangements, interpretation and translation, contacts with counterparts, organisation of documents
** Looking at ways of rationalising the processing of documents, filing.
** Attending and organising Delegation meetings, preparing agendas, also ensuring participants are aware of meetings.
** Organising special events (meetings, seminars, training, social events) as agreed with HoD and accompanying HoD on field trips.
** Suggesting and implementing as agreed with HoD any changes in the organisation of the HoDs office leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness.
** Preparing financial documentation for HoD expenditure.

Experience required:

** University Degree in language, administration or related field
** Relevant experience.

Qualification and skills required:

** Excellent English
** Good computer skills
** Good communication and presentation skills.

Applicants for the position are kindly requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter to Administration Manager via Receptionists.
Deadline: 17:30, 31 May 2000. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Tel: 99 78 82/98 83 65; Fax: 98 59 76. Address: 7, Anton Katalikosi Street, Tbilisi.