DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS DEMOCRACY EDUCATION IN GEORGIA
ABOUT EECMD The Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD) is an independent, non-partisan democracy assistance organization that works to enhance democratic traditions, strengthen democratic political parties and movements, and create strong grassroots capacities for democracy in the Eastern European neighbourhood. EECMD is currently active in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan, with programs aiming at three important factors affecting democratic consolidation: political culture, political actors, and political systems.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF EECMD Furthermore, EECMD promotes gender equality and political participation of women, the improvement of political representation of minorities, and the spread and effective use of new technologies and software that help widen the democratic space for political participation of different groups and enhance the accountability of elected officials. By building a high-quality learning and networking environment in Georgia, EECMD supports the emergence of a growing pool of political leaders and activists devoted to democratic principles. A key objective for EECMD is to strengthen conditions for democracy by supporting those citizens who will become future leaders of political, public and civic organizations, as well as various movements, and will be agents of important democratic change.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EECMD’S DEMOCRACY EDUCATION PROGRAMME? VISION To develop democratic leadership and promote mutual accountability for building flourishing communities through education
MISSION
AIM
To create a growing pool of active citizens with the capacity to be agents of democratic change and development through democracy education.
EECMD has been implementing democracy schools since 2011 to strengthen the demand for democracy at a grassroots level and create the basis for political pluralism. The program builds on extensive experience in Democracy Education worldwide, along with the knowledge of local expertise, and operates six Democracy Schools in Georgia Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi, Telavi, Batumi and Tsalenjikha (Since 2011)
The training course covers skills and knowledge components necessary for effective civic activism. Thus, the core objective of democracy schools is to increase the grassroots capacity for civic action and effective democratic participation. People of different backgrounds who demonstrate leadership potential in their respective fields participate in the schools. Democracy Schools are a good opportunity for talented individuals to translate their motivation and ideas into practical work, deepen their knowledge, build professional networks, and make their own contribution to the strengthening of Georgian democracy. Successful graduates join the alumni network - a growing organization of democracy activists. The network works at both local and national levels on practical issues of public importance by means of information campaigns, advocacy and coordination.
1100
ALUMNI 35% 65%
RATIONALE BEHIND THE PROGRAMME The programme is geared towards fostering knowledgebased policy debates in the public realm and strengthening democratic values at all levels of society. To ensure the sustainability of the political system, a large number of citizens must demonstrate sufficient motivation, adequate skills and capacity to defend their community’s interests and effectively engage in national affairs. At the democracy schools, we believe that the quality of public discourse is just as important as the scale of public engagement in politics. In this regard, issues such as effective articulation of citizens’ interests, evidence-based argumentation and grassroots advocacy are highly important.
DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING SOCIETAL PROBLEMS:
WEAK
DEMOCRATIC
WEAK LOW
LOCAL
POLITICAL
LIMITED
ACCESS
LACK OF CRITICAL
TRADITION
DEMOCRACY PARTICIPATION TO
INFORMATION
AND ANALYTICAL SKILLS
INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE OF CITIZENS’ AND STATE’S OBLIGATIONS LOW CAPACITY FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION AND ADVOCACY
WHAT ARE DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS ABOUT?
2011PRESENT
Democracy schools offer an informal five-month educational program. The school's doors are open to people of different backgrounds interested in expanding their competence, deepening their knowledge of the principles of democracy, and putting their knowledge into practice. Participants of democracy schools usually demonstrate high leadership potential and commitment to contribute to the Georgian democracy. Training sessions are led by professionals and researchers from the academic and non-governmental sectors, media, and international organizations. Throughout the program, participants study essential concepts of democracy, deepen their analytical capabilities and improve their professional skills, which will help them materialize their ideas in a modern competitive environment. Students develop their projects and get funding on a competitive basis. In addition to providing education, Democracy Schools are public clubs that bring together active citizens and representatives of the media, self-government, NGOs, and political parties around various topics.
WHAT DO THE DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS OFFER? A programme based on international experience Intensive and comprehensive tuition tailored to the local needs and resources Modern literature A diverse group of students Guest speaker events and self-organized additional events Working and getting support for their projects The chance to acquire new skills for building one's own Initiatives and lobbying Political processes observed through the local lens Possibility of nationwide exchange and alumni network Small grants scheme for successful graduates
The program is structured into four modules, with the specific curriculum and topics customized for each intake to align with local needs and context, ensuring they effectively address and meet the demands of the current reality. Democracy Schools make use of interactive, distance learning and online methods. Students actively participate in debates, seminars, and presentations in Georgia and abroad. It should be noted that the schools' library comprises a growing volume of electronic and print publications in Georgian and English languages.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS
SOCIAL AND LABOUR RIGHTS
CULTURAL HERITAGE PROTECTION
WHY DO WE HISTORY OF NEED DEMOCRACY DEMOCRACY IN GEORGIA? RELIGION, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE CHURCH AND OF LAW DEMOCRACY
INTERNATIONAL
“WHO WILL
POLITICAL
GUARD THE
ECONOMY AND
GUARDS?”
FOREIGN AID
ROLE OF MEDIA
URBANIZATION,
CORRUPTION
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES AND PHILOSOPHY
SEX, GENDER MIGRATION AND AND POLITICS
TALKS ABOUT LEADERS AND LEADERSHIP
THE ART AND METHODS OF CIVIC ACTIVISM TECHNIQUE OF NONVIOLENT AND PUBLIC ACTIONS ADVOCACY SPEAKING
MACROECONOMICS AND MONETARY POLICY
ECONOMIC
AND ANTICORRUPTION
DEVELOPMENT
MECHANISMS
AGRICULTURE DECENTRALIZATION VOTING RIGHTS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
AND LOCAL SELF-GOVERNANCE
AND ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
Topics discussed at democracy schools are diverse and extensive. The list presented in this document is not exhaustive.
Why are democracy schools important ? As a transitional democracy, Georgia is going through a profound structural change. Democratic consolidation can only be achieved with a stronger civil society and an inclusive political discourse. Demcoracy schools seek to strengthen the capacities of key actors in this regard. Primary attention is devoted to encouraging substantive debates on various policy matters and facilitating a culture of knowledge-based discussion. Program components are designed to equip stakeholders from a broad spectrum of political, NGO, media and government organizations with tools and resources to actively engage in an open discourse and advocate for ideas or policy proposals based on evidence. The current shift in Georgia's political trajectory poses a significant threat to political stability, inclusive governance, and the checks and balances system, which has diminished with the concentration of power. This jeopardizes establishing a robust democratic system that benefits all citizens rather than just a privileged few in positions of political and economic influence. Consequently, the EECMD's democracy education program has adapted its vision. Previously emphasizing more theoretical aspects in democracy schools, the EECMD now initiates projects within schools that concentrate on practical components. Thus, there is an increased emphasis on applying knowledge in practice, fostering more active citizenship.
2017
“DEMOCRACY LEADER” AWARD In 2015, the Democracy Leader Award was introduced to motivate participants in Democracy Schools. Every year, the organization distinguishes among graduates of Democracy School and handles the Democracy Leader Award to a person who has shown exceptional courage, determination and characteristics of a leader in strengthening and promoting democratic values, human rights and equality.
2015
2016
DEMOCRACY BOOT CAMPS Democracy Boot Camp serves as a platform for intensive learning and professional networking. Step by step, the boot camp develops into a strong and commendable democracy forum where, on the one hand, leading civil society representatives from the regions of Georgia and, on the other hand, the politicians and practitioners from Georgia and abroad get together. They exchange experiences, points of view, and future visions and build functional collective action alliances for joint advocacy around the themes covered throughout the sessions. The event format enables them to establish professional contacts and hold informed discussions on the important political issues of the year. The topic of the boot camp changes every year and covers the most pressing and popular issues at the time.
ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES IN ELECTORAL LEADERSHIP
LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS 2021
16 CANDIDATES WERE ELECTED OUT OF 34 ALUMNI RUNNING FOR ELECTIONS
CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY The EECMD regularly convenes meetings with mayors and council chairpersons across five regions of Georgia. The purpose of these gatherings is to inform the public about ongoing and prospective projects at both the state and municipal levels. Furthermore, these forums provide a platform for the public to voice their initiatives, concerns, or recommendations to local authorities, fostering collaborative discussions on potential solutions. Prior to the Elections, EECMD Democracy Schools host representatives of the political parties, including mayoral and majoritarian MP candidates, offering voters more information about the parties’ visions and election programs, as well as getting answers to their questions directly from the candidates.
LINKING GRASSROOTS AND POLITICAL PARTIES EECMD creates a dynamic platform for its alumni and political party representatives to engage in meaningful dialogues, share perspectives, and establish connections that contribute to a more informed and participatory democratic process.
DEVELOPING REGIONAL INFORMATION AND VOTER EMPOWERMENT FOR DEMOCRACY ➤ Equipping citizen groups with the skills, knowledge, technology, and information necessary to engage in policy dialogue with elected officials and local authorities; 312 project roadmaps
participants;
21
regional
development
➤ Creating sustainable and regularly functioning political dialogue formats that will enable citizen constituencies to engage with their elected representatives around policy issues; 6 dialogue formats; 15 expert policy papers ➤ Enhancing the accountability of political actors and political parties through local initiatives supported by subgranting activity and the annual national high-level conferences. 15 citizen-led local projects
Subgranting component Supporting Innovative Ideas of Alumni Focused on Strengthening Local Democracy through Civic Engagement
How it works...
Call for proposals Competitive multi-stage selection process: Individual and joint review of the first drafts by the commission Submission of the complete application at the next stage Budget review Final assessment
ALUMNI PROJECTS
Sub-grant projects aim to enhance civil activists' ability to address community concerns, promote a beneficial exchange of voluntary practices and broader inclusion of citizen vision proposals into the locally targeted policies. With small grant projects implemented, EECMD strengthens citizen capacities and facilitates opportunities to scale up regional development in six project regions. The given projects increased awareness of the problems, resulting in their inclusion in the public agenda and media coverage. This, in turn, empowered stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to demand greater accountability and responsibility from local authorities.
CITIZEN VISION REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ROADMAPS
The Democracy Schools Alumni created 21 Regional Development Roadmaps, identifying 133 regional problems and providing 237 solutions to the appropriate authorities. The roadmaps focused on various aspects of socio-economic and political development, such as vulnerable groups' fundamental rights, infrastructure, urban planning, green policy, cultural heritage protection, citizen participation, and other pertinent topics. The process of creating these extensive documents was demanding, requiring statistical data and public information from relevant agencies, in-depth interviews with field experts, desk research, local opinion polls, and online surveys for all six regions.
B
Beyond our core initiatives and flagship platforms for informal education, the democracy education program extends into a realm of dynamic opportunities aimed at fostering active citizenship and democratic engagement.
KS O O
IONS T A C BLI U DP N A NEWSPAPER DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
CITIZEN ACTION PLANS FOCUS GROUPS DEMOCRACY TOURS MOVIE SCREENINGS DEBATES AND SIMULATIONS CONFERENCES AND REGIONAL FORUMS
FREEDOM SQUARE
MOBILE DEMOCRACY SCHOOLS
DEMOCRACY NEEDS DEMOCRATS
Information on EECMD’s Democracy Schools: www.eecmd.org
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