23 Feb HICD 2020 Program to Support Georgia Regional Civil Society Network
US Government mission in Georgia’s HICD 2020 Program will soon begin work with Georgia’s Civil Development Agency (CiDA) and the Regional Civil Society Network (R-CSN) to strengthen the member organizations’ capacity for robust civic engagement. R-CSN, which is the largest regional network of local civil society organizations in Georgia, was created in 2013 with US Government missions support. Since then, CiDA has facilitated and coordinated R-CSN activities. R-CSN is an advocate for Georgia’s regional populations and seeks to engage them in local, regional and national civic initiatives. Over a three-year period, network membership has increased by 25% and currently comprises 55 members. HICD 2020 will focus on building CiDA’s capacity to mentor and deliver institutional development consultancy services to R-CSN member CSOs with a view to strengthening the effectiveness of the entire network. HICD 2020’s Organizational Development Consultant, Gwen Jones, a 20-year veteran of civil society and organizational capacity development, will work closely with CiDA and R-CSN members. The stronger network will help increase focus on regional issues while at the same time, reinforcing R-CSN’s stance as a strong partner for the leading Tbilisi-based CSOs to advance the key reforms that are closely linked with Georgia’s democratic and economic development as well as the country’s progress towards EU and NATO accession. ME&A currently holds the five-year contract with US Government mission in Georgia to implement the HICD 2020 Program. ME&A was awarded the HICD 2020 Task Order under US Government missions’ Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICDpro) IDIQ.