The project funded by Mercy Corps through Georgia Community Mobilization Initiative (GCMI) intends to explore the possibilities of the participation of mobilized communities in the preparation and implementation of the Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth Program (PREGP) in Georgia.

The project includes elaboration of a methodology of conducting meetings with community representatives (community based organizations), conducting community meetings in 8 regions of Georgia (covering in total 400-450 community representatives) and provision of the community feedback and practical recommendations on the institutionalization of public participation to the Governmental Secretariat

The Government of Georgia initiated a final phase of the preparation of PREGP - drafting the final version of the document with active participation of civil society representatives.

The special Editorial Board was established comprised 10 members from civil society and 10 members from the Government.

The Editorial Board is responsible for: a) drafting the PREGP document based on the materials provided by the Governmental Sub-commissions and the results of participatory debates and meetings held by civil society representatives; b) conducting technical workshops with broad participation of the governmental and civil society representatives.

PSI was selected through a competitive process and received an opportunity to participate in the World Bank ECA Region NGO 2nd Assembly together with other 8 Georgian organizations.

Mr. David Gzirishvili attended the Assembly and moderated the break-out session "Civic engagement in Bank operations, CAS-es and PRSP-es”.

Some 200 NGOs from all countries of the ECA region (Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union and Turkey) attended the Assembly, representing a broad spectrum of various types of civil society movements: advocacy groups and think-tanks, working in areas of policy dialogue, environment, governance, gender as well as organizations involved in the implementation of development initiatives in our countries such as micro-credit or community based organizations. The Assembly was attended by a delegation of senior World Bank officials in charge of the agency’s operations in the ECA region. In addition, representatives of other major international and bilateral governmental and non-governmental organizations will be invited as observers.

The Belgrade Assembly offered an opportunity to receive feedback and guidance by participating NGOs so as to facilitate the work of the new ECA NGO Working Group, which will be elected at the Assembly.