On June 24, 2022, within the framework of the EU-supported “Civil Society STAR Initiative” project, Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Regional HUB – ATINATI, organised the Regional Volunteering Forum at Zugdidi Tech Park. The forum was attended by the young people (high school pupils, students), volunteers, teachers, representatives of local non-governmental and community organisations, self-governments, the media, and various groups of society.

The goal of the forum was to promote the culture of volunteering among the youth of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, to facilitate communication between the host volunteering organisations and volunteers, to support the role and activities of the Youth Councils. Moreover, it aimed at raising awareness on regional community organisations, informing the population of the region about their activities, the implemented projects, and increasing the trust towards CSOs.

Within the framework of the forum, an exhibition / presentation of the activities of community associations, civil society organisations, business entities, social enterprises operating in Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region was held in a specially designated space. The representatives of the organisations talked about their activities and offered the youth the opportunity to get involved in volunteering activities.

At the exhibition, Zugdidi Youth Council introduced its activities to the audience. Moreover, master classes in scouting / pioneering and leather processing technology were organised. Also, Quizzes and interactive games were held, and the winners were identified and awarded. A panel discussion on “Volunteering and Civic Activism” was also organised at the forum.

The forum was held within the framework of the European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) funded project “Civil Society STAR Initiative: Sustainable, Transparent and Accountable Civil society Organizations (CSOs) for the Development of Georgia” (2021-2025).