Gori Strengthens Youth Democracy

ICLD’s engagement with the municipality of Gori in Georgia has brought about significant changes in opportunities for youth inclusion in politics and democracy-building even after the program’s conclusion.
“This project has taught us about our rights, responsibilities, and opportunities,” says one of the youths who participated in the project.
Gori, a city located in eastern Georgia, has long been known for its historical significance and challenges, especially following the conflict with Russia in 2008. Thanks to previous commitments to youth inclusion and democracy-building in ICLD’s Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) program, the city has now witnessed significant results linked to the adoption of a new policy for youth participation, and the positive momentum continues.
The team in Gori has not only contributed to the adoption of the new youth inclusion policy but has also developed an action plan to implement it. This effort has not only strengthened youth rights but has also opened doors for their participation in societal decisions.
Youth voices need to be heard
The heart of this project is built around a youth centre in Gori, where young people receive necessary support and resources to engage in local politics. This center, part of an overarching youth policy action plan, has become a hub for youth engagement and participation. Through workshops and debates, young people from Gori have not only learned about their rights but also about their ability to shape their own future.
The most significant endorsement from the project is that the youth share a picture of their inclusion in the program making a real difference. The youth in the area emphasize the importance of this project for their opportunities to engage in societal issues. Rusudan Buziashvili, one of the youths, explains:
“Being a politically active young person is the foremost power in building a successful and happy society. The project has taught us about our rights, responsibilities, and opportunities and has shown us that we have great power! It is so important that our friends from Sweden are interested in the development of Georgian youth. We are very grateful for this support!“
Ruska, a 20-year-old resident of Gori, Georgia, adds: “In a small city like Gori, it is especially important for young people to receive non-formal education, especially on subjects like democracy and human rights. Human rights are often violated in villages near the occupation line, women and men are kidnapped. In this project, the most important thing for me was that many young people living in villages near the occupation line were involved in the project. This project gave me a lot of knowledge, experience, and new information that I can use in my work.”
Democracy-building on Multiple Levels
The project in Gori has had a decisive impact by promoting participation and transparency. By increasing opportunities for youth to engage and influence decisions, the city’s democratic structure has significantly strengthened. The increased transparency, facilitating access to the youth policy plan and budget, has played a central role in building trust between the municipality and its residents. This increased availability of information has not only promoted a more open dialogue but has also enhanced society’s confidence in decision-makers.
In addition to creating opportunities for youth participation, the project has also achieved organizational successes. For instance, the city council has updated and adopted a youth policy plan, clearly signaling their commitment to giving youth a more meaningful voice in the decision-making process. Through close collaboration between different departments, it has been ensured that youth policy is smoothly integrated into the municipality’s overall plans and that necessary resources are allocated to support youth initiatives and needs.
The project in Gori has successfully applied knowledge and experiences from the HRBA program to drive change at the local level. This change has not only strengthened their position but has also promoted democratic values and principles. By actively integrating youth perspectives and needs, a more inclusive and equitable municipality has been created, where the voices of young people are not only heard but also valued. Gori’s successful example demonstrates how democratic principles can be promoted to bring about positive changes and drive sustainable development at the local level.