Our Mission
The mission of NGO “Education Development and Employment Center” is identifying the challenges in formal and informal education and employment, resolving the problems through sustainable models and implementation.
Our Values
Equal
Opportunities
Justice
Transparency
The Right
to Make
Free Choices
Partnership
Programs
Our Team
Chairperson of the Board
Executive Director
Financial Manager
Organizational Development Advisor
Project Manager
Public Relations Manager
Web Administrator
Program Coordinator
Project Coordinator
Project Assistant
Logistics Manager
Project Coordinator
Driver
Cleaning Lady
Social Media and Communication Coordinator
IT Specialist
Office Manager
Chairperson of the Board
Executive Director
Financial Manager
Organizational Development Advisor
Public Relations Manager
Social Media and Communication Coordinator
Office Manager
Project Coordinator
Web Administrator
IT Specialist
Project Coordinator
Logistics Manager
Project Manager
Project Assistant
Cleaning Lady
Program Coordinator
Driver
History
The Education Development and Employment Center is an independent organization which was formed on the basis of Kutaisi Community Youth Center, established by World Vision Georgia in 2004 to support deinstitutionalization reform by the Government of Georgia. The aim was to prevent child abandonment by placing them in foster care and alternative care services. The community center administered pilot Small Group Homes, where children who were brought from large institutions lived in a family-like, caring environment. The center supported vulnerable families, assisted with finding sources of income, and reaching economic self-resilience.
The Education Development and Employment Center, as an independent organization, was established on January 10, 2008, with the goal of improving the social-economic conditions of youth, increasing community engagement, allowing citizens to become rightful members of society, and contributing to improved social-economic conditions in the region. In 2017, the center rebranded itself and now serves its members and beneficiaries with a new image and a new drive.
Today, the Education Development and Employment Center works throughout the country to support civil society development, education, social services development, and economic development. With its head office located in Kutaisi, EDEC runs regional offices in Zugdidi, Gori, Terjola, Samtredia and Saguramo.
The organization has accumulated invaluable experience through working in rural and urban areas on the protection of rights, provision of education, employment, small and medium business development, support for social entrepreneurship, advocacy, and public awareness. With its portfolio encompassing over 50 successfully implemented projects and employing over 50 staff members, EDEC is now a strong institution.
2020
Development of methods to overcome distance education challenges during COVID-19 crisis.
2019
Development and implementation of dual vocational education programs
2018
Establishment of “Time Bank”, the international volunteering platform adapted to the Georgian language
2017
Instruction of mechanisms for support and development of a culture of volunteering
2016
Support to social entrepreneurship
2015
Capacity building of homeowner’s associations
2014
Development of IDP livelihoods support services
2013
Introducing an employment model based on individual abilities of people with special needs
2012
Youth activation and engagement into civic life
2011
Introducing civic participation-based budgeting model in Kutaisi
2010
Increased civic education in schools
2009
Development of services for children with disability
Who we work with
Target groups
- Civil society organizations (COOs)
- Local self-government
- Central governmental
- Private sector
- Population of Georgia
Beneficiaries
- Youth
- Job seekers
- Internally displaced persons (IDPs)
- Conflict-affected persons
- Socially vulnerable persons
- Persons and children with disabilities (PwDs)
- Children with special educational needs (SEN)
- Representatives of ethnic minorities
- Mothers of multiple children
- People below poverty line
How We Work
![](https://edec.ge/wp-content/uploads/ადამიანების-გაძლიერება-300x199.png)
Empowering People
By educating, providing career opportunities, mentoring and advocating, we empower the society and particularly the vulnerable communities who face lack of social, economic, legal, technological and environmental resources, or limitations due to disability.
Building Synergies
In order to achieve greater impact, we build synergies across public, non-profit and private sectors. By strengthening the links and combining the resources, we strive to improve public services and increase access to them.
![](https://edec.ge/wp-content/uploads/სინერგიების-შექმნა-1-263x300.png)
![](https://edec.ge/wp-content/uploads/შესაძლებლობების-შექმნა-289x300.png)
Creating Opportunities
We are dedicated to creating opportunities and to making our community stronger by doing so. We look for the organizations and companies which share our values, objectives and passion, and find ways to collaborate in order to not just solve today's problems, but to empower the people who will solve tomorrow’s biggest challenges.
Innovating
By researching and adapting the international best practices, we implement innovative approaches and programs to improve quality and effectivity of educational process, career services and public services.
![](https://edec.ge/wp-content/uploads/ინოვაციების-დანერგვა-300x300.png)
Awards
2021
2021
2021
2021
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2017
2017
2016
2016
2014
2014
2010
2007