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Cultural-Humanitarian Fund „Sukhumi"   From October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012 - Cultural-Humanitarian Fund "Sukhumi", with the financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED, Washington), implements a project -  "Enhance activity of the League of women voters in development of a dialogue with local authorities and preparation for parliamentary elections of 2012.”   The project area covers the four regions of Western Georgia (Imereti, Samegrelo, Adjara, Guria).   Project objectives: -          Enhance the influence of the League of Women Voters and expand the dialogue with local government structures to address the local population problems in eight towns of Western Georgia. -          Raise awareness and civic activity of women voters in the parliamentary elections of 2012 in western Georgia   As the outcome of the carried out activities can be considered that the League of Women Voters has establish the links with local government structures in eight cities. The advocacy groups from eight clubs will submit a range of problems of public importance to the local authorities for making decisions. As a result of the ndertaken activities, the League of Women Voters will establish contacts with local government structures. The project anticipates the intense work of the League in cities of Western Georgia - Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Khobi, Zugdidi, Poti, Ozurgeti and Batumi, where the advocacy and public awareness-raising groups will develop the proposals to protect local population interests and submitted to the local authorities and political parties for further advocacy and lobbying. The highly qualified members of the League of Women Voters will inform the other women in their communities about the advocay campaigns and importance of participating in elections, that will lead to increased women's participation in the parliamentary elections. A new stage of informational-educational activity joins the television and radio programmes, publishing of the journal, conduction of workshops, where women will learn how to conduct debates and advocacy campaigns, develop advocacy and lobbying strategies and enhance their leadership skills. All activities, planned within the project, will be directed to improving women's opportunities with the purpose of their full-fledged engagement in political processes. The representatives of society groups, media, government and political parties will be involved in the public debates. During the entire project period the meetings are planned with political parties aimed at supporting women in the party structures, as well as contributing to close cooperation between the League of Women Voters and the political parties and supporting potential women candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. We believe that the project will contribute to increasing women’s political capacities, developing of civil society, providing the positive impact on gender situation for the next parliamentary elections and achieving peace, stability and democratic principles in the country.       C o n t a c t s: * * * * * * * Address: #6 Mgaloblishvili st. Kutaisi, Georgia Tel./Fax: (+995 331) 27 13 68 E-mail: woman@fundsokhumi.ge Web-site: www.fundsokhumi.ge