On October 14, 2011, public discussion on promotion of development of democratic institutions in the regions by means of supporting free and fair elections, organized by Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Caucasian Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development and Saferworld was held in Zugdidi.

The discussion mainly aimed to provide local population with an opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with representatives of both local and central authorities and to plan for joint solutions to problems identified on the basis of consultations with community under the first phase of the project.

The discussion is implemented under the auspices of the project “Increasing regional capacity for community-based approaches to security, as a tool for sustainable early warning, conflict prevention and local accountability” funded by the UK Conflict Resolution Fund”. Similar discussions were held in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli, Samegrelo and Kvemo Kartli. Final conclusive discussion will be held in Tbilisi.

Each discussion will focus on issues that part of the population in the region finds problematic. Public discussions will be attended by representatives of local as well as central authorities, population of the regions, representatives of media, local, national and international organizations.