On May 19, 2023, within the framework of the EU-supported “Civil Society STAR Initiative” project, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC)and the Adjara regional hub – “House of Free Journalists”, held a regional forum Civil Society for Volunteer Development. at Hilton Batumi for the development of volunteerism” was held. The purpose of the forum was to actively involve the youth of the Ajara region in solving the needs of the local community, to promote the culture of volunteering, to promote communication between volunteer organizations and people interested in volunteering, and to promote the role and activities of youth councils. Also, increasing the awareness of regional public organizations among the population, informing the population of the region about their activities, implementing projects, and raising trust in civil society organizations. Within the framework of the forum, the volunteering initiatives implemented in the Ajara region were presented to the guests.

CSO EXPO – an exhibition of products of local civil organizations was organized in a specially designated space within the event, where community and civil society organizations operating in the Adjara region presented their activities and offered the opportunity to engage in volunteering to young people interested in volunteering. At the exhibition, the Youth Council of Batumi, to popularize its role and activities, introduced the implemented activities to the audience. The forum was organized within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative: CSOs as Sustainable, Transparent, Accountable and Resilient Development Actors in Georgia“(2021-2025).