After the 2008 war, 300 households from the Liakhvi Gorge and Akhalgori were resettled in Frezeti, a previously unpopulated mountainous district in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. After three years, several basic infrastructure issues persisted. The population was particularly affected by the inadequate supply and distribution of clean drinking water.
To address the issue, the Young Teachers and Psychologists Association (YTPA) examined the existing water system and identified the causes of water distribution problems. After discussions with relevant government entities and the World Bank, which funded water system repairs in the settlement, the YTPA prepared recommendations for additional repairs that would provide a better water supply and use existing water resources more efficiently. The recommendations included changing the water pipeline from a vertical to a horizontal lay-out in order to minimize water waste.
„ახალგაზრდა პედაგოგთა და ფსიქოლოგთა ასოციაციის“ მიერ დაქირავებული ექსპერტი ამოწმებს არსებული წყალმომარაგების სისტემას ფრეზეთის იძულებით გადაადგილებულ პირთა დასახლებაში./An expert examines the existing water system in the Frezeti IDP settlement as part of YTPA’s project.
At the same time, the YTPA spearheaded an active advocacy campaign involving the Frezeti population. The YTPA engaged local residents in project activities by forming an initiative group of twelve residents and involving them in assessing the water supply system, submitting letters to relevant government offices, and mobilizing the community around the issue.
As a result, the Head of the Mtskheta Municipality local council agreed to change the layout of the water pipeline. These repairs were included in the local budget. An initiative group composed of Frezeti residents and led by the YTPA will monitor the water system reconstruction project once it begins. CPMR is also assisting those whose homes have been damaged by the con-struction. “Several houses were damaged as a result of using explosives, and this might happen again,” said Ms. Magradze. “Therefore we keep advocating for those people in order to protect their rights and assist them in getting proper compensation.” Municipal water pipes have also been damaged, and CPMR is working with the Khashuri city government to fix the problem.
ამჟამად არსებული წყალგანაწილების სისტემა ხშირად ხდება წყლის შეგროვების ასეთი მოუხერხებელი პრაქტიკის მიზეზი./The water distribution system in Frezeti contributed to inefficient water collection practices.
EWMI G-PAC funded CPMR’s advocacy efforts through a Citizens’ Advocacy Grant. EWMI G-PAC mentor Grigol Gvilava, the head of Transparency Interna-tional Georgia’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Center, assisted CPMR throughout the project. Mr. Gvilava provided advice on planning consultations, cooperating with other Georgian organizations, conducting public relations activities, and approaching the government and the railway company about compensation procedures.
EWMI G-PAC BLOG 