The First NGO Fair in Georgia

The United Nations Association of Georgia in cooperation with Save the Children, and Georgian non-governmental organizations: Center for Strategic Research and Development, Center for Change and Conflict Management “Partners Georgia”, Public Information Center “Alternative”, Civil Society Institute and Caucasian Institute for Peace Democracy and Development are organizing NGO Fair 2005 – 1st Forum of Civil Society in Georgia.

The fair is carried out in the framework of the Citizens Advocate! Program (CAP) – the three year, USAID funded initiative, which is implemented by the above mentioned NGOs together with Save the Children.

The NGO Fair  initiative is part of the larger effort of the CAP on behalf of the NGOs  to publicize the contribution of Georgian civil society organizations in the current development processes and enhance cooperation between them.

The fair represents the opportunity for Georgian Civil Society Organizations to publicize their work, as they will have a chance to exhibit their printed products, as well as make presentations on their successful and noteworthy achievements dating back to their establishment.

 Main objectives of the fair are:

· To enhance cooperation between Georgian Civil Society Organizations
· To  raise public awareness on CSOs’  work and achievements
· To provide CSOs with the opportunity to both contribute to and participate in contemporary debates on pressing issues relevant to NGO sector
· To search for common perspectives and values for the civil society across the differences represented by participants.

The representative of Georgian mass media, governmental bodies and international and donor organizations will be presented at the fair during the whole two days.

The fair will be organized using different participative methods such as exhibition and forum – panel discussions, keynote speeches, question and answer sessions, round-tables, press conferences  and  education sessions, presentations, lectures. The closing component of the NGO Fair is Awards to Friends in Civil Development.

The fair will take place on 2nd- 3rd April 2005, on Expo Georgia territory- 118, Tsereteli Ave., Tbilisi, Georgia.