News - RICDOG - Page 3

May 22, 2025 Programm 930 views

The second phase of the “Civic Education Champions” program has ended!

The gamified program was initially launched by RICDOG within the framework of the USAID Civic Education Program; however, after the program was suspended and closed, this component of the program was implemented by the organization on a voluntary basis, using its own resources. The winning clubs in the second phase are: 1st place – Sachkhere Civic Education Club “Dream Team” 2nd place – Kutaisi Civic Education Club “Horizonti” 3rd place – Baghdati Civic Education Club “Gen Z for Changes” The goal of the program is to strengthen students’ capacities in the field of civic education through the organization and implementation of projects and activities. Civic education clubs established in all 12 municipalities of the Imereti region participated in the gamified program. Each club had 15 students, aged 14 to 17. Within the framework of the program, the clubs implemented a total of 242 initiatives, which included up to 960 different activities! Participants worked on such important topics as: Environmental protection; Student and Human Rights; Healthy living; Equality, media literacy, democracy, and more... The duration of the program was 4 months. The initiative was organized by the Research-Intellectual Club "Dialogue of Generations".

May 14, 2025 Uncategorized 401 views

Training Program “Inner Voice”: May 2–9, Waterford, Ireland

Representatives of RICDOG participated in an training program held from May 2 to 9 in the city of Waterford, Ireland. The project was implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ program and was organized by Waterford & South Tipperary Community Youth Service and Leargas. The main goal of the program was to strengthen the skills of youth workers to help them maintain inner peace and self-confidence while working with young people. Participants explored the significance of both inner and outer voice, new methods of communication, and self-reflection techniques that contribute to their personal and professional development. The program included various practical activities, such as: • Breathing exercises • Yoga • Reflective practices • Voice work techniques This experience significantly contributed to enhancing participants’ self-esteem, emotional resilience, and communication skills—both in face-to-face interactions and in digital environments.

May 13, 2025 Programm 431 views

Training Program “Mind Matters”: March 20–28, Riga, Latvia

Members of the Research-intellectual club "Dialogue of Generations" participated in the Erasmus+ educational exchange program "Mind Matters," which took place in Riga, Latvia, from March 20 to 28. Due to the specific nature of the program, participants lived together in a forest villa with representatives from four countries: Portugal, Romania, Latvia, and Turkey. One of the main goals of the program was to bring young people closer, foster intercultural dialogue, and facilitate the exchange of practices. The primary method of non-formal education included yoga, physical exercises, energizers, breathing exercises, meditation, and practical workshops. The program was filled with both indoor and outdoor adventure activities, focusing on the effective and productive use of personal skills, future goals, and opportunities. Individual and team exercises helped participants organize their priorities, plan measurable goals, and express themselves. It is worth noting that representatives of RICDOG conducted activities for the other participants and led reflection sessions. According to participants, the program created a space for young people from different cultures and mindsets, contributing to their connection, emotional intelligence development, mental well-being, and setting future goals.

May 13, 2025 Project 741 views

Europe Day – Young People from Kutaisi Joined the Event Held at ExpoGeorgia

On May 9, Europe Day, young people from Kutaisi also joined the event held at ExpoGeorgia! The initiative was led by young leaders within the framework of the project “Act for Georgia: A Strong and Active Civil Society for Change.” The young participants engaged in various activities, including the audiovisual exhibition “This Country Is Yours,” thematic discussions, educational sessions, and an exhibition showcasing programs implemented by the European Union. For your information: The young leaders were selected within the framework of the project “REACT for Georgia: Resilient, Engaged, Active Civil Society for Transformation.” REACT for Georgia aims to strengthen civil society in the regions of Georgia, promote democratic governance, and increase citizen engagement. The project is focused on the institutional development of the civil sector and ensuring its sustainability. Within the framework of the project, RICDOG serves as the Civil Society Hub for the Imereti region and actively works to strengthen the civil society sector in the region. The project is implemented with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

May 3, 2025 Project 870 views

On May 2, the first activity was held at the initiative of young leaders

Stickers, flyers, photo frames and lots of smiles — everything to remind us of the European choice once again. Citizens took photos in a specially made frame, received information about the projects implemented by the European Union in Kutaisi, and took along symbolic stickers and flyers. We believe that Kutaisi is a truly European city, and it is on this path that the movement should continue in the name of equality, development, and freedom. Find yourself in the photos – link in the first comment for information: Young leaders were selected within the framework of the project – “REACT for Georgia: Strong and Active Civil Society for Change”. “REACT for Georgia” aims to strengthen civil society in the regions of Georgia, promote democratic governance, and increase citizen engagement. The project is focused on ensuring the institutional development and sustainability of the civil sector. Within the framework of the project, RICDOG serves as the hub of civil society in Imereti and actively works to strengthen the civil sector in the region. The project is implemented with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

April 30, 2025 Uncategorized 736 views

A working meeting was held with young leaders

Within the framework of the project “REACT for Georgia: A Strong and Active Civil Society for Change”, a working meeting was held with selected young leaders from the Imereti region. The meeting took place at the office of the Imereti Regional Hub – the Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG). During the meeting: • Participants received information about the project’s current progress and its main directions; • Over two days, the young leaders worked on identifying key problems in the Imereti region and developed corresponding initiatives; • They also created their individual action plans aimed at addressing local challenges. About the project: The project is implemented with the support of the European Union and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

April 29, 2025 Uncategorized 885 views

Innovative Educational Program for Socially Vulnerable Children in Kutaisi

The Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG) is successfully implementing an innovative educational program designed for socially vulnerable children aged 6–12. The aim of the program is to develop participants’ creative and critical thinking, communication skills, and to teach English using engaging and innovative methods. The program is taking place in Kutaisi, in a newly established social enterprise space, and is funded through resources raised via public crowdfunding on the Orbeliani Meti platform. The program is provided free of charge for three groups of children—two of which have already started, while the organizational team is currently working on assembling the third group. Achieved Results As part of the program, essential preparatory stages were conducted, including participant selection and planning for the educational process. Special attention was given to working appropriately with different age groups: the children were divided into two categories—6–8 years old and 9–12 years old. After this division, a diagnostic assessment was conducted to determine each child’s level of English proficiency, which served as the basis for assigning them to the appropriate groups. A total of 18 children participated in the program—11 girls and 7 boys, coming from 9 different families.

April 29, 2025 Uncategorized 762 views

Legislative changes that restrict the freedom to assist people

MEGA TV prepared a news report and a talk show addressing recent legislative changes in Georgia that require prior authorization for issuing grants. According to civil society organizations, the amendments adopted on April 16 pose a serious threat to the freedom and development of civil society in the country. In the report, Irakli Tevzadze, Secretary General of the Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG), strongly criticized the new law. He stated that the changes represent an attempt to exert pressure and control, which will negatively impact the interests of students, youth, people with special needs, women, displaced persons, and other groups, making it harder for Georgia’s civil sector to support the population. In the related program, Nugzar Kokhreidze appeared live on MEGA TV and emphasized that the amendment constitutes interference in and restriction of the donor’s freedom to operate and make decisions. He further noted that in other countries with similar legislation, donors withdrew their presence and halted activities shortly after such laws were passed. As highlighted in both the broadcast and the report, these and other steps targeting civil society contradict Georgia’s path toward European integration.

April 21, 2025 Uncategorized 823 views

The importance of using gamification approaches and integrating technologies

Nugzar Kokhreidze, Chairperson and Co-founder of the Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” (RICDOG), was a guest on the Rioni TV program “My Day.” The main topic of the program was gamification as one of the most innovative and effective approaches in both the educational and civil society sectors. Nugzar Kokhreidze spoke about how gamification methods can be used in programs and projects to enhance youth engagement, support the development of key competencies, and present routine processes in a more dynamic and accessible way. In addition, the discussion highlighted the importance of integrating technology and artificial intelligence tools into the everyday work of the civil sector — from non-formal education practices to mechanisms of public communication and awareness-raising. Watch the full interview and discover more about the innovative methods RICDOG applies in its work.

April 9, 2025 Uncategorized 792 views

April 9 – A Georgian Symbol of the Struggle for Freedom

“April 9 reminds us that the struggle for freedom never ends — it continues every day we refuse to accept violence, injustice, and fear,” – Irakli Tevzadze, Secretary General of RICDOG. “We remember, we protect, and we continue the fight for our values!” For context, 36 years ago, a horrifying tragedy unfolded in Tbilisi. In the early hours of April 9, 1989, on Rustaveli Avenue, Soviet punitive forces violently dispersed a peaceful protest. • 21 people lost their lives, most of them women, including schoolchildren. In addition, many were injured, and up to 2,000 people were poisoned by an unidentified chemical substance. Exactly two years after April 9, 1989, the Supreme Council of Georgia, under the leadership of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, adopted the Act of Independence of Georgia. • April 9 became etched in Georgia’s modern history as both a day of national tragedy and the day of the country’s restored independence. Thus, this bloody day — April 9 — remained in Georgia’s history as a symbol of the great national liberation movement and a tragedy of the Georgian people, which left a profound mark on history and accelerated the collapse of the Soviet empire of evil.