On June 18, in Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel, Support of Self-Governance Development in Georgia Project has been presented. Simultaneously, ceremony of signing Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia, EU Delegation to Georgia and Civil Society Institute.

Within the framework of the Supporting Participative Development of Local Authorities in Regions of Georgia Project, Civil Society Institute in cooperation with regional partners has started meeting population in Adjara, Shida Kartli, Guria and Kakheti regions. Meetings pursue goals of rising awareness about institutions of local self-governance and increasing civic involvement in local self-governance.

Gori	Kvareli	Ozurgeti	Kobuleti

Charity Union "Temi" and "Sighnaghi Region Socially Unprotected Therapy Union" Kedeli community have been awarded 3000 Euro each.

On March 1, 2009, with financial support of European Union, Civil Society Institute has initiated new project under the title of Supporting Participative Development of Local Authorities in Regions of Georgia. The goal of the Project is to enhance efficiency and transparency of self-governance through involvement of local population.
The Project is being implemented in 8 municipal units of Kakheti, Adjara, Guria and Shida Kartli in cooperation with regional partners as follows:

• Gori Informational Center
• Ozurgeti Young Scientists' Club
• Georgian Civil Development Association

In Adjara the Project is being implemented by Batumi Office of Civil Society Institute.

Civil Society Institute, in cooperation with Kobuleti "gamgeoba" and with financial support of German Marshall Fund is carrying out Increase of Efficiency of Kobuleti Gamgeoba Operation Project

Within the framework of the Improvement of Environment for Social Welfare Organizations, Civil Society Institute has conducted workshop for journalists on February 11-12, in Sighnaghi, where information on social welfare systems has been presented. Namely, Civil Society Institute has studied social models of welfare and, following problem analysis, has concluded that most efficient way would be joint provision of social welfare services by the state and civic organizations. During the workshop, the journalists have also been provided with information on processes afoot in child protection and deinstitutionalization.

On the day two of the workshop journalists have visited and got acquainted with work carried out by community organization "Kedali" and its beneficiaries.

On December 26, in Sheraton Metekhi Palace Hotel, award giving ceremony to the winners of the journalist competition has been held. Event has been attended by mass media, international and local non-governmental organizations' representatives.

Let Us Care for Each Other - thus has been named the competition founded by Civil Society. Aim of the competition is to provide deeper insight into social issues through awarding the best newspaper article, best photo shot and best TV and Radio topics related to social welfare issues. Consequently, competition has been held in these four nominations, each has been awarded twice - with first and second prizes.

On December 11-12, in Zugdidi, exhibition and fair of agricultural products harvested within the framework of the Agricultural Project has been held. Two-day fair has provided 25 beneficiaries with opportunity to trade this year's harvest: corn, flour, cucumbers, beans, honey, cheese, greens and other foodstuff cultivated in their enterprises. Products traded in the fair have been of surpassing quality to those traded on the general market having positive effect on prices. It should be noted that production has been sold in half a day.

On December 13-14 in Bakuriani Hotel Villa Palace working meeting has taken place dedicated to discussion of the draft law on State Grants. Working meeting has been attended by representatives of executive authorities, non-governmental sector and donor organizations.

Current regulations of state grants have been discussed and article-by-article discussion of the new draft law has taken place.

Within the framework of Legal Program of Civil Society Institute Monitoring of Labor Code of Georgia has been carried out in May-July of the current year. Monitoring aimed to expose deficiencies of the Labor Code of Georgia and propose appropriate recommendations. Monitoring has been carried out in cooperation with Open Society Georgia Foundation as part of the ongoing Civil Society Involvement in Legislative Process Project. Researches have been carried out in Tbilisi and Batumi with target groups selected in advance, up to 50 respondents (employed, employers, judges, independent experts, trade unionists, lawyers) participated in the research.
Monitoring Report (Georgian version)
Recommendations (Georgian version)

On September 26-30 and October 1-4, 2008 in Tbilisi, at Conference Hall of Public Broadcasting Company, Project and Time Management Training has been carried out for the benefit of Public Broadcasting Company top and middle management.

On September 17, within the framework of Economic Development Program, Agricultural Fair has been held in Batumi where first year harvest of Economic Development Program has been brought for sale. 21 beneficiaries from Adjara highlands participated in the Fair. 8 tons of potatoes, 1,5 tons of tomatoes and 25 kg of honeys is to be sold.

On September 12-19, 2008 Training in to HR Management and Effective Communication has been held for the benefit of Adjara Ministries and Tourism Department representatives in Batumi Intourist Hotel Conference Hall.

Within the frame of Strengthening the Legal Framework for Citizen Action through Freedom of Association Project being implemented in collaboration with ECNL and with financial support of European Union, draft law on State Grants has been elaborated by the working group made up of Civil Society Institute representatives and invited experts. Initially state grants regulations as elaborated by the working group have been intended to make part of the law on Grants currently in force, yet, following particularities of issuing grants by the state that are significantly different from grant relations between private entities, it has been decided to prepare separate draft law.