Biliki Empowers IDPs to Advocate for Their Rights

Nearly 134,000 people were forced from their homes during the Russian-Georgian war in August 2008. In addition to facing social and economic challenges, these Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) live in settlements that are isolated from the rest of Georgian society. Economic hardship and minimal awareness of their rights have limited their participation in decision-making processes. With a $15,000 Citizens’ Advocacy Grant from EWMI G-PAC, Society “Biliki” has empowered IDPs, particularly youth, to advocate for their rights, with considerable success.

“Youth are so active,” said Lia Gorelishvili, Biliki Program Manager. With support from Biliki, youth have gathered to discuss key issues in the Khurvaleti IDP settlement like water, garbage and access to education. “The youth wrote a letter to the Minister of Education, and the Minister answered. They are learning how to take issues to the ministries,” Gorelishvili said. Through a journalism club organized by Biliki, youth are producing “minute movies” to bring attention to issues within their community.

IDP youth produce minute movies to bring attention to issues in their community.

After listening to citizens’ concerns, Biliki supported youth and their parents in voicing their needs to the head of the Sakrebulo of Gori Municipality and other members of the local government. As a result, the head of the Sakrebulo agreed to rehabilitate a sports ground in Khurvaleti. A special group will develop the rehabilitation project and determine its cost. Local community members will contribute free labor. The government has already provided trees, planted by community members. Biliki also assisted IDPs living in a multi-family home to advocate successfully for government co-financing for roof repairs, and the Sakrebulo of Kurta Municipality has agreed to procure a minivan to transport children from Khurvaleti to the nearest kindergarten.

 

Girls read at a newly established library in Khurvaleti IDP settlement. EWMI G-PAC grantee Society Biliki supported citizens’ advocacy to establish the library.

One of the greatest concerns raised by IDPs was the absence of a library, so Biliki organized a charity event to collect books for children and publicized the event widely. Citizens and publishing houses from the region donated books to the library. The Sakrebulo of Gori Municipality donated approximately 300 books and bookshelves.

When asked about their greatest achievements, Gorelishvili exclaimed, “We did much more than we thought!” While students have become involved in various sporting and cultural events, interested parents have learned to produce traditional handcrafts towards income generation. All citizens have become more involved in voicing their concerns to the local authorities and requesting sustainable solutions.

 

YTPA Improves Water Distribution System at IDP Settlement

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.