Supporting the Right and Opportunity

of the Persons with Disabilities to

Participate through the Bodies of the
Local Self-governments in Georgia
Monitoring Report of the Performed Activities

Tbilisi
2016

Project funded by the

European Union

Project funded by the Open Society

Georgian Foundation

The monitoring report is made within the EU and Open Society Georgia
Foundation project Supporting the right and opportunity of the persons
with disabilities to participate through the bodies of the local self-governments in Georgia.
In 2014-2015 years, in Tbilisi city, Guria and Kvemo Kartli regions the project was implemented by non-governmental organizations: Article 42 of the
Constitution, Partnership for Human Rights and Accessible Environment
for Everyone.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European
Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
The opinions of the author/authors expressed in the informational material
may not express the position of Open Society Georgia Foundation, therefore the foundation is not responsible for the content of the material.
The monitoring report is made by a non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights.
Author: Nana Gochiasvhili
Participants of report preparation: Ana Arganasvhili, Ana Abashidze
Translated by: Tengiz Nozadze

Table of Contents
Introduction.............................................................................................................................5
I. The planned activities of the project...........................................................................6
1. About project................................................................................................................6
2. Concrete goals of the project.................................................................................6
3. Project tasks..................................................................................................................6
4. Project target groups.................................................................................................7
II. General overview of the results of the project........................................................7
1. Quantitative results planned within the project..............................................8
2. Qualitative indicators achieved within the project.........................................9
III. Main results of the project..........................................................................................10
1. Empowerment of possibilities of persons with disabilities and mobilization of human resources in target municipalities.........................................10
1.1. Create a map of resources of persons with disabilities living n target
municipalities.................................................................................................................10
1.2. Empowerment of possibilities of persons with disabilities...................11
1.2.1. Prepare a training module..............................................................................11
1.2.2. Holding trainings...............................................................................................12
1.2.3. Evaluation of trainings......................................................................................13
2. Increasing transparency and accountability of the local self-government
bodies of target municipalities by increasing the participation of persons
with disabilities, their organizations and non-governmental organizatio
ns.........................................................................................................................................13
2.1.Analysis of the documents of the local self-government policy, legislation and budget.........................................................................................................13
2.2.Empowerment of the possibilities of the staff of the local self-government bodies....................................................................................................................14
2.2.1. Preparing training module.............................................................................14
2.2.2. Holding trainings................................................................................................15
2.2.3. Assessment of training results.......................................................................15

2.3. Participation of persons with disabilities in the activities of the local

self-government............................................................................................................15
2.3.1. Consultation and recommendations..........................................................16
2.3.2. Communication..................................................................................................17
3.Determination of needs of persons with disabilities living in target municipalities........................................................................................................................19
3.1. Board research........................................................................................................19
3.2. Field works/Working meetings........................................................................19
3.3. Preparation of the final report of the research...........................................20
4. Development of community communication strategy between persons
with disabilities living in target municipalities and the bodies of the local
self-governments..........................................................................................................20
4.1. Consultations...........................................................................................................21
4.2. Recommendations................................................................................................21
4.3. Communication.....................................................................................................21
5.Preparation of recommendations for target municipalities based on the
results of the research of needs................................................................................21
5.1. Raising awareness.................................................................................................22
5.2. Monitoring of the implemented activities...................................................22
IV. Changes that were made in target municipalities.............................................23
V. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................25

Introduction
The monitoring report overviews the activities performed within the project
Supporting the right and opportunity of the persons with disabilities to participate through the bodies of the local self-governments in Georgia.and the
correspondence of these activities with the goals of the project.
The project was implemented in 2014-2015 years in Tbilisi city, Rustavi city,
Ozurgeti city and Ozurgeti municipalities with the financial support of the
European Union and Open Society Georgia Foundation.
The main goal of the monitoring is to estimate how the project activities
stipulated the consideration of the needs of persons with disabilities in the
process of budgeting and program planning of the local self-governments.
The estimation of the project activities is based on a logical framework
that consists of the goals and tasks of the project, indicators of estimating
achievements, expected results and list of activities needed to get these results appointing the corresponding indicators.
The monitoring report consists of four chapters. The overview of the project activities, goals, tasks and target groups is given in the first chapter. The
general results of the project are overviewed in the second chapter. Here is
given the number of involved people according to the target groups and the
quantitative and qualitative indicators of the activities planned within the
project. The third chapter contains the detailed description of the main results of the project and implemented activities. The fourth chapter is a small
review of the changes that were made in the target municipalities. To be true,
its impossible to say that these changes are the direct result of the activities
implemented within the project but we can assume that theyre an indirect
result of trainings for the staff of local self-governments, workshops and public discussions.

I. Activities Aimed by the Poject

1. Project Goal
The project Supporting the right and opportunity of the persons with disabilities to participate through the bodies of the local self-governments in
Georgia was being implemented from February 1, 2014 until January 31,
2016 in three regions of Georgia: Guria, Kvemo Kartili and Tbilisi city.
The main goal of the project was to ensure the involvement of persons with
disabilities in the activities of the local self-government and decision making
process, to promote the realization of their civil and political rights to access, take part and get involved in the activities of the local self-government.

2. Project Objective
Active involvement of persons with disabilities of target municipalities in the activities of the self-government and decision making process;
To inform the staff of the local self-government and increase their
possibilities for planning the programs adjusted to the needs and
priorities of the persons with disabilities living in their municipalities.

3. Project Tasks
To increase the possibilities of the persons with disabilities and mobilize the human resources in target municipalities;
To achieve accountability and transparency of the local self-government activities.
Research of the individual needs and priorities of the persons with
disabilities in target municipalities and further advocating;
To develop and implement community communication strategy by
the self-government bodies and citizens of these municipalities;
To make the society and the local self-government bodies increase
the awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities and the involvement of citizens in the activities of the local self-government;

4. Project Target Groups

Persons with disabilities;

Parents of children with disabilities;
Organizations of persons with disabilities;
Non-government organizations operating in the target municipalities;
Representatives of the local self-governments of the target municipalities;

II. General Overview of the Results of the Project

From January 1, 2014, till January 31, 2016, 477 people were involved in
different activities of the project. From February 1, 2014, till December 31,
2014 207 were involved and from January 1, 2015, till January 31, 2016
270 people.
The number of involved people according to the target groups was as follows:
Persons with disabilities: 137 (64 women and 73 men);
Parents of children with disabilities: 160 (159 women and 1 man);
Representatives of local self-governments that were actually involved in the project activities: 80 (37 women and 33 men);
Representatives of local self-governments that were not directly involved in the project activities: 86 (22 women and 64 men);
Organizations of persons with disabilities: 7 (5 women and 2 men);
Non-governmental organizations: 16 (4 men and 12 women).

1. Quantitative Results
Planned quantitative results

Implemented quantitative
results:

8 focus groups and 30 in-depths inter- 8 focus groups and 30 in-depths interviews to research the needs;
views were held
To print and spread 1230 informational More than 3000 brochures were printbrochures in target municipalities;
ed and spread in target municipalities
To prepare 2 reports of the research of the Two reports of the research of the
needs of persons with disabilities living in needs were prepared;
target municipalities;
To develop a document of community A document of community communicommunication strategy of target munic- cation strategy of target municipalities
ipalities;
was developed;

20 trainings for increasing possibilities: 10 26 trainings for increasing possibilities

for the staff of local self-governments and were held: 16 with persons with dis10 for persons with disabilities;
abilities and parents of children with
disabilities, 10 with the staff of local
self-governments
To arrange 60 consultation meetings in 57 consultation meetings in target
target municipalities;
municipalities were arranged
To ensure attendance of 10 persons
with disabilities at the meetings of local
self-government, council and commission;

7 persons with disabilities and 7 parents of children with disabilities attended the meetings of local self-government, council and commission.

To hold 8 public discussions;

8 public discussions were held: 2 in

Tbilisi city, 2 in Rustavi city, 2 in Ozurgeti city, 2 in Ozurgeti municipality

To prepare a document reflecting the A document reflecting the evaluation

evaluation of legislation, programs and of legislation, programs and budget of
budget of target municipalities;
target municipalities was prepared;
Prepare recommendations for target mu- 9 recommendations were prepared
nicipalities;

Prepare 2 monitoring reports;

2 monitoring reports were prepared:

One monitoring report of the evaluation of the performed work and
second community communication
strategy;

Media reporting (blogs)

Three television reports and 10 articles.

2. Qualitative Results
The persons with disabilities, their parents and non-governmental
organizations working on the issues of persons with disabilities received a detailed information about the main principles of the activities of local self-governments, learned the forms of participation of
citizens in the self-government implementation process;
The persons with disabilities, their parents and non-governmental organizations working on the issues of persons with disabilities
received information how to implement coordinated activities to
determine their own and general problems in municipality, how to
search the needed information in the local self-government by requesting the general information and advocate the issues;
The persons with disabilities, their parents and non-governmental
organizations working on the issues of persons with disabilities received information about the main principles of advocacy, essence of
social audit, its determination and possibility to use in practice;
The staff of the local self-government bodies received information
about the issues of persons with disabilities, their needs, the legislative documents that obliges them to take effective steps for solving
the problems of persons with disabilities;
The persons with disabilities, their parents and non-governmental
organizations working on the issues of persons with disabilities got
practical skills how to use social media and television to publicize
and spread the problems in the municipality;
The policy documents, programs, legislation and budget of the central and local self-governments of target regions were processed;
There was developed a resource map of persons with disabilities
of target regions and non-governmental organizations working on
their issues;
The persons with disabilities that participated in the project got practical skills in terms of participating in the activities of local self-government;

III. Main Results of the Project

The review of the main results of the project is based on the assessment
made in accordance with the logical frame of the project. At first there are
discussed the activities determined by the logical frame for achieving the
result and their correspondence to the indicators of result.
Five basic results had to be achieved as determined by the logical frame of
the project, that are the indicators of evaluation of execution of basic and
concrete goals.

1. Empowerment of Possibilities of Persons with Disabilities and

Mobilization of Human Resources in Target Municipalities
The activities planned by the logical frame for achieving the goals contained:
To create a resources map of persons with disabilities living in target municipalities and empower the possibilities of persons with disabilities.

1.1. Create a Map of Resources of Persons with Disabilities Living

in Target Municipalities
The following indicators were determined for performing activities:
Desk review;
Field work;
Workshops;
Documenting.
At the beginning of the project a resource map was prepared according to
board reviews and field works. The document contains the information about
persons with disabilities living in Tbilisi city, Guria and Kvemo Kartli regions,
organizations of persons with disabilities (DPO), parents of children with disabilities and public organizations.
The contact information of each target group and the correspondence of the
activities of the organizations with the goals of the current project are reflected in the document.
The resource map document was prepared by the movement Accessible Environment for Everyone1, because of their working specifics and their experi1
Organization was established in 2011 by persons with disabilities. The mission of the organization is to
advocate the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure equal access to public goods.

10

ence of communication with persons with disabilities living in regions.

The movement Accessible Environment for Everyone is operating in almost
every region of Georgia, is a kind of umbrella organization and has partnership with local community, initiative groups and organizations of persons
with disabilities (DPO) in Tbilisi city, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Adjara, Guria, Imereti, Racha and Kakheti regions.

1.2. Empowerment of Possibilities of Persons with Disabilities

The following indicators were determined for performing the activities:
Preparing training module;
Conducting trainings;
Evaluation of training results.

1.2.1. Preparing Training Module

A training module was prepared by non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights and movement Accessible Environment for Everyone to empower the possibilities of persons with disabilities. It consisted
of three parts.
The first part of the training module concerned the introduction of the essence of the local self-government, basic working directions and mechanisms for protecting rights of persons with disabilities at the level of the local
self-government:
Essence of self-government;
Short review of the reforms of self-government;
Regulatory legislation of self-government;
Executive and representative bodies of the local self-government;
Competencies of the local self-government;
Forms of the activities of the local self-government;
Forms of involvement of citizens in local self-government;
Discussion of effective forms of implementing the local self-government for persons with disabilities;
The goal of the second part of the training module was to increase the competency of persons with disabilities in the basic issues of protecting rights of

11

persons with disabilities and it consisted of the following issues:

Frame of human rights constitutional norms and international standards of human rights in terms of persons with disabilities;
The United Nations Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) The history and importance of development of
the convention
The United Nations Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) Positive and negative obligations of the government in regards with basic rights;
The role of self-government in protecting rights of persons with disabilities.
The goal of the third part of the training module was to increase the practical
skills of persons with disabilities in the direction of protecting their rights at
the self-government level and it contained the following issues:
Essence of limitation of possibilities, modern approaches and challenges;
Rights of persons with disabilities local and international mechanisms;
State services and programs for protecting rights of persons with disabilities;
Involvement of persons with disabilities Essence and mechanisms
of monitoring;
Civil activism Social advocacy of the rights of persons with disabilities, its essence, forms and mechanisms;
Ensuring equal possibilities of persons with disabilities;

1.2.2. Conducting Trainings

Within the project 16 trainings were held for persons with disabilities and
parents of children with disabilities for empowering the possibilities. Among
these, 7 were held in Rustavi city municipality, 7 in Ozurgeti city and Ozurgeti
municipalities, 2 trainings in Tbilisi city municipality. Totally 90 people were
retrained in these four municipalities.

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1.2.3. Evaluation of Trainings Results

Two types of questionnaires were prepared to evaluate the trainings. The first
measured the level of satisfaction with the trainings and this was filled after
the training ended. The second questionnaire was filled at the beginning and
in the end and its purpose was to determine the quality of knowledge acquired from the trainings.

2. Increasing Transparency and Accountability of the Local

Self-Government Bodies of Target Municipalities by Increasing
the Participation of Persons with Disabilities, their Organizations
and Non-Governmental Organizations
To achieve the result, the following activities were planned according to the
logical frame: Analysis of the documents of the local self-government policy,
legislation and budget, empowerment of the possibilities of the staff of the
local self-government bodies and participation of persons with disabilities in
the activities of the local self-government.

2.1.Analysis of the Documents of the Local Self-Government Policy, Legislation and Budget
The following indicators were determined for executing the work:
Desk review;
Field work;
Workshops;
Documenting;
Communication with the authorities.
Analysis of the documents of the local self-government policy, legislation
and budget was done by a non-governmental organization 42nd Article of
Constitution. While preparing the document, the information about municipal programs and budge was requested from target municipalities. Information about condition of rights of persons with disabilities in local municipalities was gained from public meetings, where the persons with disabilities,
parents of children with disabilities and the staff of executive and legislative
bodies of the local self-government participated.

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2.2.Empowerment of the Possibilities of the Staff of the Local

Self-Government Bodies
The following indicators were determined for executing the work:
Preparing training module;
Conducting trainings;
Evaluation of training results.

2.2.1. Preparing Training Module

A training module was prepared by non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights to empower the possibilities of the staff of local
self-government. It consisted of two parts.
The first part of the training module concerned the introduction of the essence of the local self-government, basic working directions and mechanisms for protecting rights of persons with disabilities at the level of the local
self-government:
Essence of self-government;
Short review of the reforms of self-government;
Regulatory legislation of self-government;
Executive and representative bodies of the local self-government;
Competencies of the local self-government;
Forms of the activities of the local self-government;
Forms of involvement of citizens in local self-government;
Discussion of effective forms of implementing the local self-government for persons with disabilities;
The goal of the second part of the training module was to increase the competency of persons with disabilities in the basic issues of protecting rights of
persons with disabilities, their obligations in this field that are determined by
the international and local legislation and it consisted of the following issues:
Frame of human rights constitutional norms and international standards of human rights in terms of persons with disabilities;
The United Nations Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) The history and importance of development of
the convention

14

 The United Nations Convention on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) Positive and negative obligations of the government in regards with basic rights;
The role of self-government in protecting rights of persons with disabilities.
Review of national legislation that determines the role of the local
self-government in protecting rights of persons with disabilities:
(Strategies, action plans and etc.)

2.2.2. Conducting Trainings

10 trainings for the staff of the local self-government were held within the
project. Among them, two were held in Rustavi city municipality, 4 in Ozurgeti city municipality and 4 in Ozurgeti municipality.

2.2.3. Evaluation of Training Results

To find whether the participants were satisfied with the trainings the questionnaires were prepared in advance. The questionnaire consisted of five
closed and two open questions.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the training a questionnaire for assessing the
level of knowledge was prepared and it was filled at the beginning and in
the end of the training. Its goal was to determine the quality of knowledge
gained from the trainings.

2.3. Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Activities of

the Local Self-Governments
The following indicators were determined for executing the work:
Consultations;
Recommendations;
Communication;
Assistance.

15

2.3.1. Consultations and Recommendations

The project executing group permanently consulted the persons with disabilities and their parents about the ongoing issues of the representative
bodies of the local self-government.
The following techniques were used to ensure the consultations:
Telephone communication Every person with disability that participated in the project had a possibility to contact the executing
group of the project at any time, get any recommendation about the
pending issues of the council/commission meetings. Its goal was to
make the persons with disabilities and their parents able to form an
argumentative position about problematic and interesting issues
and present it at the council/commission meetings.
Social network To ensure the involvement of persons with disabilities in the activities of the local self-governments in Ozurgeti city and
Ozurgeti municipalities, the executing group created a web-page
where they informed the persons with disabilities about the council/
commission meetings. By using this web-page, they had a possibility
to get information from the executing group at any time.
Trainings and working/individual meetings The persons with disabilities that were involved in the program used to get information
about the forms and ways of involvement in the activities of the local
self-government on the trainings and working/individual meetings.
For example, when the executing group members had a working
visit to Ozurgeti city municipality, the persons with disabilities and
their parents could go to the Center of Democratic Involvement in
Ozurgeti city and speak with the staff of the executing group of the
project.
To ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in the activities of the
local self-government, an instruction of attending representative bodies of
self-government was derived. It was used by the project executor and persons with disabilities that were involved.
During the trainings, the persons with disabilities that were involved in the
project and parents of children with disabilities got information about the
guide principles.
Using these guide principles the persons with disabilities got the information

16

about the web-page, where they could find information about the current
activities of the self-government and it consisted of the following steps:
In case of necessity, if a full version with announcement wasnt published, demand the document under discussion at the council/commission meeting.
Prepare appropriate recommendations and share them with the
members of the group/interested people;
Communication with the mass-media of the corresponding municipality prepare a press release and inform journalists;
Before attending the council/commission meetings, operate in accordance with the rules of procedure of a council of concrete municipality register attending people in appropriate terms, in case of
necessity register prepared changes;
Monitoring of the implementation of recommendations presented
to the council;

2.3.2. Communication
During the project the persons with disabilities and parents of children with
disabilities attended the council/commission meetings 31 times:
18 times in Tbilisi city municipality. Among them: 9 in Tbilisi city hall. The subjects discussed in city hall: parking rules for persons with disabilities in Tbilisi
city, employment of persons with disabilities and the issue of financing the
ABA therapy for children with autism spectrum.
The project executing group and persons with disabilities attended the following commission meetings of Tbilisi city council 7 times: commission of
protection of human rights and civil integration, commission of education
and culture, commission of health protection and social affairs, wealth management and financial-budgeting commission. The following subjects were
under discussion: Determination of activities for ensuring equal possibilities
for persons with disabilities in the budget of 2015, review of the budget of
Tbilisi city in 2014 and its correspondence with the rights of persons with
disabilities, availability of physical environment for persons with disabilities
in Tbilisi city municipality, discussion of the working version of the regulation
of a board working on issues of persons with disabilities by Tbilisi city council, protection of rights of women and children with disabilities in Tbilisi city
municipality, pre-school inclusive education.

17

The project executing group and persons with disabilities attended Tbilisi
council meetings 2 times. The following issues were under discussion: New
building licenses inside Tbilisi city, protection of women with disabilities from
violence and the role of the local self-government in this direction, review of
the budget of 2015.
During the project the persons with disabilities and their parents attended
meeting at the local self-government of Rustavi city municipality 7 times.
The project executing group participated in two meetings of financial-budgeting commission of Rustavi city council with persons with disabilities and
their parents. There were discussed the issues of funding necessary programs
for ensuring equal possibilities for persons with disabilities in the budget bill
of 2015 and 2016 years.
As a result of the project executing group reference, three meetings in Rustavi city council were held, where they discussed an issues of funding ABA
therapy for children with autism spectrum and the rights situation of persons with disabilities in Rustavi city municipality in general. With the aim of
developing the program for financing ABA therapy for children with autism
spectrum a meeting was held with Rustavi city mayor.
During the project in Ozurgeti city and Ozurgeti municipality, with the initiative and organization of the project executing group, three meetings of
council and commission were attended. One was Ozurgeti city council meeting, where the persons with disabilities and their parents raised the problems
of persons with disabilities living in Ozurgeti city municipality. Two meetings
of commission were attended. In particular, the persons with disabilities participated in the meetings of the commission working on social affairs and
the commission of education, culture, sport, youth affairs, health and social
affairs.
While implementing a project, based on the information about the condition
of the protection of rights of persons with disabilities in target municipalities,
there was outlined a need for advocacy of the protection of rights of persons with disabilities by the project executing group at the central government level. For this reason, a non-governmental organization Partnership
for Human Rights participated in two work meetings of the committee of
protection of human rights of the parliament, where they discussed the issues of implementation of action plan of 2014-2016 years about ensuring
equal rights of persons with disabilities and an action plan of 2014-2015
years about human rights. The representative of the organization also par-

18

ticipated in the discussion of the bill of Early and pre-school upbringing and
education, where the principles of inclusive education throughout Georgia
are determined.

3.Determination of Needs of Persons with Disabilities Living in

Target Municipalities
To reach the result, the necessary activity planned by the logical frame was
to prepare a research of needs using participatory practical research method.
The following indicators were determined for implementing the work:
Desk review;
Field work;
Workshops;
Documenting.

3.1. Desk Research

The goal of board research was to learn at international and local level the
regulations of forms of participation of citizens in the activities of the local
self-government, involvement of persons with disabilities in decision making
process and protection of their rights at self-government level and to review
the results of the research.
Its main goal was to create effective design and tool of research that would
be a basis for field works. Its results would be interesting to determine the
current situation of the research and to determine the problems that have
been research till today and what should be a subject of interest for a researcher while collecting data.

3.2. Field Work

The goal of field works was to collect data using individual interviews and
focus-groups. 30 in-depths interviews and 8 focus-group meetings with persons with disabilities and parents of persons with disabilities were held for
this reason.
6 in-depths interviews were held with persons with disabilities in Ozurgeti
city and Ozurgeti municipalities, 3 in-depths interviews with parents of children with disabilities, 2 focus-group meetings with persons with disabilities

19

and 1 with parents of children with disabilities.

5 in-depths interviews with persons with disabilities and 4 in-depths interviews with parents of children with disabilities were held in Rustavi city, 1
focus-group meeting with persons with disabilities and 3 focus-group meetings with parents of children with disabilities.
8 in-depths interviews with persons with disabilities and 4 in-depths interviews with parents of persons with disabilities were held in Tbilisi city municipality, 2 focus-group meetings were held with parents of persons with
disabilities.

3.3. Preparation of the Final Report of the Research

Two reports of research were made based on information from field works:
Research of needs of persons with disabilities living in Tbilisi city and research of needs of persons with disabilities living in Rustavi city, Ozurgeti city
and Ozurgeti municipalities
The research reports were printed and spread among persons with disabilities living in target municipalities and the staff of the local self-government.

4. Development of Community Communication Strategy between

Persons with Disabilities Living in Target Municipalities and the
Local Self-Governments
To reach the result, the necessary activity planned by the logical frame was to
develop community communication strategy.
The following indicators were determined for implementation of the activities:
Consultations;
Recommendations;
Communication.
One of the targets of the project was to develop community communication strategy, that consisted of three components: Giving consultations for
persons with disabilities living in target municipalities, develop recommendations about the problems raised by persons with disabilities at public
discussions, trainings and working meetings and deliver them to the local

20

self-government and communication, aim of which was a strategic legal proceeding by the project executing group in case of apply from the persons
with disabilities.

4.1. Consultations
105 consultations were given during the project. The communications were
mainly given by telephone. Also there were consultations given for managing the individual cases raised by the participants of the trainings, public discussions and working meetings.

4.2. Recommendations
9 written recommendations were prepared for the local self-governments
of target municipalities during the project. Their goal was to present at the
self-government level the opinion about the main problems determined by
the project executing group and persons with disabilities that were involved
in the project.

4.3. Communication
110 cases were learned within the strategic legal proceedings and the administrative bodies of the target municipalities were addressed for reaction.
Among them, three cases were proceeded to the court.

5.Preparation of Recommendations for Target Municipalities

Based on the Results of the Needs Assessment
To reach the results, the following activities planned by the logical frame
were determined for implementation: Monitoring, public discussions and
raising awareness.
The following indicators were determined for work performance.
Consultations;
Meetings;
Providing recommendations;
Communication.

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5.1. Awareness Raising

One of the activities determined by the project was to make persons with disabilities and the staff of the local self-government raises awareness of ensuring equal possibilities for persons with disabilities. For this reason the public
discussions were supposed to be held and the informational brochures to be
prepared/spread.
The goal of public discussions was to make persons with disabilities living
in target municipalities and the staffs of the self-government bodies raise
awareness of the needs, rights of persons with disabilities that disturb them
from active participation in running self-government.
8 public discussions were held within the project: 2 in Tbilisi city municipality,
2 in Rustavi city municipality, 2 in Ozurgeti city municipality and 2 in Ozurgeti
municipality (villages: Likhauri and Dvabzu).
A non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights prepared
an informational brochure to inform the persons with disabilities about the
following issues: Forms of activities and structure of the local self-government, administrative-legislative acts of the bodies of municipality and officials, forms of requesting to solve the problems that are within the competency of the local self-government, forms of appealing the decisions of the local
self-government, rights of persons with disabilities, forms of participation in
the activities of the local self-government, functions of the local self-government bodies, legal basics of persons with disabilities, 2014-2016 state action
plan for ensuring equal possibilities for persons with disabilities, requesting
information, social audit, state programs for persons with disabilities.
The information about the importance of the implemented work was published by media sources to raise awareness. 3 television programs and 10 articles were prepared within the project, where the persons with disabilities
and their parents were involved themselves.

5.2. Monitoring of the Implemented Activities

To monitor and determine the effectiveness of the planned activities of the
project, it was considered to evaluate the implemented activities in regards
with the goals of the project.
For this reason two documents were prepared. First document reviews all

22

activities implemented with the project, the second document is community

communication strategy developed within the strategic proceedings. Both
documents were prepared, printed and spread throughout target municipalities by the non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights

IV. Changes that were Made in Target Municipalities

To evaluate the changes made in target municipalities during the project in
regards with the protection of rights of persons with disabilities, a non-governmental organization Partnership for Human Rights requested the information from Tbilisi2 city, Rustavi3 city, Ozurgeti4 city and Ozurgeti5 municipalities. While requesting the information, there were considered the issues that
were included in 2014-2016 state action plan for ensuring equal possibilities
for persons with disabilities as an obligation for the local self-government
and the information about these issues were given to target municipalities
during trainings, public discussions, working meetings and recommendations.
Charity organization Guria, where the persons with disabilities living on the territory of the municipality are united, took active part
in the process of discussing the budget of Ozurgeti municipality of
2015 year. The programs in the budget of 2015 year were planned
with their participation and 30 000 GEL were allocated;
On the stage of giving new building license, a building company is
provided with the resolution #41 of January 06, 2014 of the government of Georgia about Technical regulations of architectural planning and space arrangement for persons with disabilities;
In the process of improving transportation infrastructure there will
be included the appropriate trainings for the drives;
The administrative building of Ozurgeti municipality and the reception-room of citizens is equipped with the ramps for persons with
disabilities;
An adapted beach was arranged in Ureki resort for the summer season of 2015.

Letter 05/291-15 of February 2, 2015

Letter 05/294-15 of February 2, 2015;
4
Letter 05/293-15 of February 2, 2015;
5
Letter 05/292-15 of February 2, 2015;
2
3

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According to the information provided by Ozurgeti city municipality, the following activities have been implemented for the protection of rights of persons with disabilities since 2014:
One of the advisors of Ozurgeti city mayor is a person with disability.
Also a person with disability is an expert-consultant in Ozrugeti city
council;
To eliminate the obstacles on the roads and buildings the obstacles
are being registered and suggestions are being developed;
Two kindergartens were repaired, ramps were installed;
18 beneficiaries of the rehabilitation center of persons with disabilities permanently attend cultural events and their transportation is
provided;
A debate club was open in the rehabilitation center of persons with
disabilities.
According to the information6 provided by Tbilisi city hall, the following activities have been implemented for the protection of rights of persons with
disabilities since 2014:
A council of persons with disabilities was established;
Tbilisi city hall finances the service of translator for deaf people;
A rehabilitation service for persons with disabilities was sorted out in
the referral program and 236 people got financing;
According to the information7 provided by Rustavi city hall the following activities have been implemented for the protection of rights of persons with
disabilities since 2014:
Within the Program of assistance of citizens with the medicines the
persons with disabilities receive 100 GEL a year for drugs;
Persons with significant disabilities (only blind people) get benefits
to cover utility payments;
Person with significant and important disabilities (only blind people)
have benefits while using the municipal transport;
Vulnerable persons with disabilities get: Program of benefits on bills
of drinking water for vulnerable people, Program of Individual Medical Assistance of People, Program of benefits on household waste
removal for vulnerable people, Minimal grocery program and Program of celebration events
6
7

Letter 06/198-15/05/291-15 of February 17, 2015;

Letter 06/220-15/05/294-15 of March 04, 2015;

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 120 beneficiaries of the center of persons with disabilities are provided with utility payments, transportation of beneficiaries, food and
salaries of specialists in the existing day center.

V. Conclusion
The project executing group achieved all quantitative results that were considered in the tasks and goals of the project. According to the information
received from the target municipalities, at the level of the self-government
there are some changes in terms of the protection of rights and promotions
of independent living of persons with disabilities. In the cases of Tbilisi city
and Ozurgeti municipalities, the involvement of persons with disabilities in
the process of planning municipal programs and budget is taken into consideration and there are some positive changes in the direction of availability of
physical environment and information too.
The main achievement of the project should be the fact that for the first time
the persons with disabilities participated themselves in the process of implementation of the self-government, voiced their opinions about the main
problems that mostly need the activity of the self-government at the meetings of city council commission.
The research of the needs of persons with disabilities that was done within
the project is an interesting document particularly for the bodies of the local
self-government. The mentioned document provides them with the information about the real needs of persons with disabilities on their territory and in
which direction the municipal programs and budget should be planned.
However the analysis of the activities of the local self-government implemented for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities show that
despite the positive activities in 2014-2015 years the official information reveals that in target municipalities there are no concrete activities implemented for solving the problems in long-term perspective. Like previous years,
the protection of rights of persons with disabilities is identified with social
programs, benefits and these dont promote the independent living of persons with disabilities.

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