April 30, 2025

SGS 2024 Grantee: Association Imedi, Zugdidi, Georgia

Project: Engagement of Displaced People for Change

In a modest office in Zugdidi, the team behind the project has been quietly leading a transformation. With support from The BEARR Trust and its Small Grants Scheme, and fueled by determination and a deep sense of duty, the local NGO Association Imedi has turned limited resources into a powerful engine of empowerment for Georgia’s internally displaced persons (IDPs, mostly refugees from Abkhazia)—one conversation, one workshop, one individual at a time.

Over the past months, the initiative has touched the lives of 92 displaced women, men, and young people from five major IDP settlements in the Zugdidi municipality. These are not just numbers; they represent people who now better understand their rights, who speak up more confidently at community meetings, and who can draft proposals to fund ideas that benefit others like them.

Awareness as the First Step to Empowerment

One of the project’s major achievements has been its educational campaign. Association Imedi organized 15 information meetings, equipping IDPs with the knowledge they need to claim their rights—covering crucial topics such as housing, employment, healthcare, and education.

“Many people didn’t know where to begin,” one project team member commented. “We made sure they had the brochures, the information, and a place to ask questions.”

This effort did more than inform—it laid the foundation for long-term empowerment. Equipped with knowledge, IDPs began to see themselves not as passive recipients of aid, but as active participants in shaping their futures.

Dialogue and Development

But information alone wasn’t enough. Recognising the importance of dialogue, the project facilitated a round-table discussion that brought together IDPs, civil society experts, and local representatives. These forums opened up new channels of communication and mutual understanding—particularly significant at a time when relations between NGOs and the government have become increasingly strained.

The tensions, heightened by the recent adoption of Georgia’s controversial “Transparency Law on Foreign Influence,” have led to reduced government engagement with civil society. Yet by engaging stakeholders at the local level and avoiding high-level political friction, the project ensured that voices from the IDP community were still heard.

A Generation of Advocates

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of the project has been the leadership and advocacy training provided to 15 women and young people. Participants gained the tools to champion their rights and support their communities—skills that strengthen not only individuals, but also the entire social fabric of the displaced population.

“The engagement and growth we saw, especially among young people and women, exceeded our expectations,” said one trainer. “They’re already putting their skills into action—organising meetings, talking to local leaders, even launching small community initiatives.”

The project also looked inward, focusing on sustainability. Training in project proposal development was provided to 15 staff members and volunteers, boosting the organisation’s capacity to carry forward its mission beyond the lifespan of this grant.

Lessons from the Field

As with any grassroots initiative, the journey was not without challenges. The political climate made some IDPs hesitant to participate, fearing the activities might be politically charged. Building trust took time and reassurance. But Association Imedi adapted.

By shifting its strategy toward local-level collaboration and maintaining a non-political, community-centred approach, the project not only overcame these barriers: it established a model of resilience and flexibility that others can follow.

The Road Ahead

What began as a modest, grant-funded project has evolved into something far greater: a catalyst for change among some of Georgia’s most vulnerable populations. As Association Imedi reflects on its achievements, the path forward is clear.

“We don’t just want to provide information,” said one team member. “We want to build a future where displaced people are leading the conversations about their communities, not waiting for others to speak for them.”

In the shadow of displacement, this project has sparked a steady flame of empowerment. And for Georgia’s IDPs, it’s only the beginning.

Photos by Shorena Ketsbaia

Contact:

associationimedi@gmail.com

Social media: NGO Imedi