Quarterly Progress Report: Georgia Communities Empowered for Local Decision-Making

The project aims to improve the capacity of local communities to engage in local governance and strengthen their capacity to rebuild essential services, restore incomes, and empower citizens of Georgia to have an effective voice in government. The project's overall objective is to achieve community-level impact by systematically assisting Georgian communities in nurturing democratic reform efforts. The project focuses on a bottom-up approach, working with local governments, civil society, and community organizations to promote participatory and accountable governance. Key results expected from the project include the establishment of legislative reform matching local government revenues to local government responsibilities, the dissemination of local government best practices through grassroots support, and the development and implementation of realistic local economic development plans in targeted communities. During the January to March 2009 reporting period, the project made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The project team established working relationships with key stakeholders, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and continued to support the development of information centers in several municipalities. The project also assisted municipalities in updating their economic development plans and setting priority projects, and provided training in budgeting to municipal trustees. Additionally, the project helped to conduct surveys and trained ratings and updates of Service Improvement Action Plans in 12 municipalities. The project team also participated in the Minister of Refugees and Settlements' meeting to discuss cooperation between CELD and the Ministry. Furthermore, the project presented its current work and past experience to the Council of Europe and international partners, and shared its plans for community-based economic development (CBED) with the municipalities. The project's activities also included participation in the CARE SLAAR meeting, where the interagency working group developed a number of legislative, regulatory, and regulatory drafts for supporting rural development in Georgia. The project also participated in the Local Governance Training meeting, where the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, GTZ, GIPA, and other stakeholders discussed the development of a training system for local governments. The project's progress was also marked by the establishment of a working relationship with the UNDP on their local governance and economic development program. The project team also assisted in the dissemination of the draft Decentralization Strategy among four CELD partner municipalities, and provided comments on the document to NALAG, the responsible body for collecting feedback on the draft. Overall, the project's progress during the January to March 2009 reporting period demonstrates its commitment to achieving its objectives and promoting participatory and accountable governance in Georgia.