The organization was established in 2002 under the title of The Youth Association of Akhalgori, however as a result of the South Ossetia War in August 2008, the organization became internally displaced. These events brought changes in the organization’s goals and objectives, and the organization was renamed “For Better Future,” CSO.
Experience Peace Building
Our organization works on legal and humanitarian issues connected to war affected population, as well as the population of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. For Better Future is actively involved in identification their problems and needs in order to highlight them on an international level. In 2017-2019 For Better Future implements project: “Peacebuilding in IDP Settlements, EVS in Georgia”. 2 volunteers from Poland are having their voluntary service in Georgia, Tserovani IDP Settlement and help For Better Future to promote peacebuilding in Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region IDP settlements. In collaboration with CHCA (Charity Humanitarian Center Apkhazeti) and DRC(Danish Refugee Council), For Better Future implemented the project: ”From Dependency to Self-Sufficiency-Innovative, Effective and Scalable Livelihood Solutions for Georgia Livelihood Component” The main goal of the project was to improve the livelihood conditions for the Ossetian and Georgian population living in Akhalgori Region. Through the project, 6 Individual Business Grants and 14 Poverty Reduction Grants were supported (funded). In 2015, through the organization Trust in Development, For Better Future implemented a project for promoting women’s businesses from Akhalgori, Tskhinvali, and Pankisi Region. During the trainings sessions for women, several small businesses were promoted with our support. In collaboration with the Lithuanian NGO, Trust in Development, For Better Future organized a conference in July 2013 "The Problems of Akhalgori District: Internally Displaced Persons and their Future". The conference speakers included representatives from Akhalgori’s government in exile, Tbilisi State University, and the EUMM. Following the presentations, attendees from the Akhalgori IDP community formed working groups to draft a letter of appeal to the international community (http://youtu.be/_06AFW33ZZU). This letter of appeal has been shared with international organizations and local nongovernmental organizations (http://civil-forum.org/menu_id/12/id/408/lang/2~). Through a UNDP COBERM grant, For Better Future organized the European School for Young Leaders program from 2011-2012 (http://youtu.be/A-NHBfy8LQU). Ten youth were selected, five from the IDP community and five from the occupied territories, to attend a one-week training program in the Czech Republic. Participants received training in a range of conflict-resolution, advocacy, and project development skills. They also had an opportunity to meet with youth-led organizations in Prague. This project encouraged the youth to engage in conflict-resolution dialogue that they could later share these experiences with their local communities. Working with Young Leaders
For Better Future has much experience in working with and training young leaders. In 2016, For Better Future implemented a Let Girls Learn project, an innovative initiative of the First Lady of USA – Michelle Obama. The main goal of the project is to expend educational opportunities for girls—including in areas of conflict and crisis. Through the project, Tserovani IDP Youth House girls were trained in different classes such as IT, sewing, animation, and puppet theatre. Working with the support of the US Embassy in Georgia, American Corners is a joint partnership project that promotes cooperation and understanding between the United States and Georgia by providing accurate information about the U.S. In order to reach the IDP community, For Better Future is managing an American Corner “on wheels” (referred to as the Bookmobile) that travels among the IDP settlements with free English resources and educational programing. Since 2014, For Better Future Implements summer and winter camps for IDP students to discover and support leadership skills in order to promote their complete integration into society in order to develop healthy civic thinking. Through the Democracy Commission Small Grant Program, For Better Future continued work with youth leaders and established IDP Youth Community Engagement Clubs in 3 IDP settlements in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region and gave identified potential leaders chance to become assists to their community. For Better Future, equipped spaces in each settlement with all the necessary equipment and internet, trained youth in relevant topics, and empowered participants to take part in their community development. Since 2014, For Better Future implements Youth Professional Development Programs to build economic capacity and opportunities in Tserovani, Tsilkani and Prezeti IDP Settlement. Also, to build professional skills among job seekers and increase local employment opportunities. For Better Future supports youth education opportunities by working with the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program in the Tserovani IDP settlement. Based on the recommendation of our organization, in 2013 nine IDP youth started a 3-year international relations degree program in Poland’s Adam Mickiewicz University. Since 2017, For Better Future is a hosting and sending organization of European Voluntary Service and hosts and sends volunteers abroad through different projects. Through the partnership with different European youth organizations, FBF gives youth opportunities to take part in different training programs to develop their skills and gain experience. Social Entrepreneurship
Since its establishment, For Better Future implemented different programs for the IDPs, as well as for the region itself. But we considered that something more sustainable was needed for the local community in Tserovani IDP settlement. In 2012, as part of their mission for women's' economic development, For Better Future established Social Enterprise Ikorta, The enterprise united 3 social enterprises: Georgian Enamel Enterprise(http://www.ikorta.com),(https://www.facebook.com/geocellbusiness/videos/2157590734527325/) Folk Handicraft Enterprise (http://youtu.be/581f2liGT0A), and Social Enterprise Cafe. 12 women are employed at the enterprises from Tserovani IDP community; providing them professional opportunities close to their homes as well as income to support their families. Social Enterprise Ikorta now is a stable fund for “For Better Future” to run organizational activities. As a result of establishing social enterprise, we realized that entrepreneurship was a main priority for social and regional development and was increasingly recognized as an important driver of economic growth and employment, as well as a key aspect of economic dynamism. In 2018, For Better Future implements project; “Entrepreneurial Education for Integration of War Affected Communities”, which is funded by International Visegrad Found. Together with the partner organization – ADRA Slovakia, FBF builds entrepreneurial skills and promotes business development in war-affected communities and rural areas in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region. Project promotes the cooperation between local government and individual entrepreneurs in order to develop businesses on a local level to address unemployment and stimulate local economy. Project contains training series and study visits for individuals and local municipality representatives in Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region. In 2017, together with our Peace Corps and European Voluntary Service volunteers, FBF implemented a Financial Literacy Training series in Galavani Public School for entrepreneurial class pupils. The program is supported by Peace Corps Georgia. Promotion of Civil Society Development
Since 2017 until 2020, For Better Future is Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub, under the project: “Civil Society Sustainable Initiatives” that promotes CSO development on a regional level, volunteerism, as well as the collaboration between CSOs and business and CSOs and governmental institutions. Through the project, FBF implements different activities and trainings on a regional level. Through the Democracy Commission Small Grant Program, For Better Future continued work with youth leaders and established IDP Youth Community Engagement Clubs in 3 IDP settlements in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region and gave identified potential leaders chance to become assists to their community. For Better Future, equipped spaces in each settlement with all the necessary equipment and internet, trained youth in relevant topics, and empowered participants to take part in their community development. |
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