G-PAC News

Volume 1, Issue 1 Sep. 2010 - Jan. 2011

Inside this issue

G-PAC Grants Assessing NGOs Advocacy Capacity NGO, University Grants Upcoming events 2 Designing tailored assistance 2 2 3 3

G-PAC Embarks on 4-Year Project

East-West Management Institute (EWMI) launched its four-year USAID-funded Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia (G-PAC) project on Dec. 2, 2010. More than 100 representatives of Georgian civil society, academia, political parties and government attended. G-PAC aims to strengthen civil societys role in advocating for and influencing the development and effective implementation of public policy reforms in Georgia. Toward achieving this goal, G-PAC involves two components: (1) assisting NGOs with strengthening their institutional and human capacities on a demand-driven basis, and (2) cooperating with higher education institutions to help improve their public policy courses. In his opening speech at the G-PAC launching, HE Mr. John Bass, Ambassador of the United States of America, stressed the importance of civil society in effecting change. He expressed optimism that USAIDs premier civil society initiative G-PAC would contribute to the maturation and deepening of dialogue between civil society and government. The G-PAC team then presented its goal to deliver over $7 million in grants to Georgian think tanks, advocacy NGOs and universities. G-PAC will work closely with Georgian civil society groups to strengthen their ability to conduct effective research, realize successful advocacy initiatives and better represent and engage citizens. To this end, GPAC will offer a combination of grants, training and mentoring specifically tailored to the needs of Georgian civil society. It will also help establish a world-class masters program in Public Administration (MPA) at Ilia State University with support from Columbia University in New York. In addition, G-PAC will provide technical and financial assistance to other universities.

Seeking Public Involvement 3 G-PAC and the Peace Corps 4

Announcements
Universities can still apply for Assistance Grants! Georgian and Georgia-based foreign specialists, university lecturers, NGOs, media, businesses and experts can still express their interest in consulting for Georgian advocacy NGOs. Graduate students seeking practical public policy experience: apply now to intern with leading Georgian NGOs and think tanks. Coming soon: Partnership for Change and Think Tank Grants G-PAC training and mentoring to advocacy NGOs and think tanks will begin soon.

This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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Assessments Identify Needs for Tailored Assistance

From Oct. to Dec. 2010, GPAC consulted with primary stakeholders and potential beneficiaries to disseminate information about its goals and exchange opinions about practical approaches to realizing these goals. In addition to these introductory meetings, G-PAC conducted two assessments to design more specific action plans for its two programmatic areas: university support and think tank support. A third assessment is examining the advocacy capacity of NGOs (see the next article). Through these assessments and ongoing, proactive consultations, G-PAC seeks to offer tailored, needs-based support. University Assessment, Nov. 2010 The university assessment was carried out by a Columbia University assessment team, represented by the Picker Center, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and the Harriman Institute. Towards selecting a location for establishing the MPA program, the assessment team met with rectors, deans, faculty and graduate students from three Georgian universities: the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, Ilia State University and Tbilisi State University. The team reviewed the universities academic backgrounds, curricula, syllabi and facultys CVs. Following this assessment, G-PAC decided to establish the MPA program at Ilia State University. Additional financial and technical assistance will be offered to other universities and students through University Assistance Grants and student internships. Think Tank Assessment, Dec. 2010 In order to develop an effective action plan for strengthening Georgian think tanks role in the public policy process in Georgia, G-PAC, in cooperation with the Open Society Institute Think Tank Fund, based in Budapest, organized a think tank assessment mission. G-PAC met with over 50 representatives of Georgian think tanks, advocacy NGOs, media outlets, political parties, universities, donor organizations and the government. Policy papers and reports produced by think tanks were also reviewed. Considering the assessment results, G-PAC will support Georgian think tanks not just in terms of funding, but also through mentoring and partnerships with their Central and Eastern European counterparts. The think tank support program will be launched in Mar. 2011. Information will be disseminated to all interested groups.

G-PAC Grants
MPP Grant: Establishes the MPP program to provide for a new generation of welltrained policy professionals and to develop centers of excellence that can provide research and analysis. University Assistance Grants: Support the institutional development of public policy, public administration and political science courses of Georgian universities. Internship Grants: Support graduate students interning with leading Georgian CSOs and think tanks in order to provide hands on experience in public policy. Think Tank Support Grants: Support think tanks to target sectors regarded as top priorities by the Georgian public, provide indepth and comprehensive analysis of the problems in these sectors and offer concrete recommendations. Citizens Advocacy Grants: Support issue-based advocacy initiatives primarily at the local, municipal and regional levels to encourage citizen engagement for improved local government programs. Partnership for Change Grants: Support long-term advocacy initiatives that link advocacy NGOs and think tanks.

G-PAC, AYEG Assess Advocacy Capacity of NGOs

In Jan., researchers from the Association of Young Economists of Georgia (AYEG) began interviewing the first of 100 respondents in a nation-wide NGO Advocacy Capacity Assessment. Contracted and supported by G-PAC, AYEG is using the USAID Advocacy Index to assess Georgian NGOs organizational capacity to conduct successful and effective advocacy initiatives. In-depth interviews with NGOs will be accompanied by focus groups held with diverse citizens throughout Georgia. The latter will examine citizens perceptions and awareness of NGOs, as well as what encourages or discourages citizens from participating in NGOs advocacy efforts. The assessment findings will provide the basis for developing G-PACs demanddriven and tailored advocacy capacity development program. The assessment will be completed in Mar. 2011.

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NGOs, Universities Apply for G-PAC Grants

In Nov. 2010 G-PAC announced two grant competitions: 1) Citizens Advocacy Grants sought to support regional NGOs advocacy initiatives; and 2) University Assistance Grants aimed to assist higher education institutions with enhancing their institutional and academic capacities. Citizens Advocacy Grants The CAG program aimed to support innovative, meaningful and realistic advocacy initiatives at local, municipal and regional levels. Its primary emphasis was on helping regional NGOs to better mobilize their communities to engage with local decision-makers. NGOs could request $10,000 to $15,000 for initiatives lasting up to one year. G-PAC received 104 applications. Successful applicants will be selected by a Grants Review Committee in Mar. 2011. Before issuing grants to the selected NGOs, G-PAC will hold press conferences in Tbilisi and the respective regions to present new grantees and their initiatives to local media and the general public University Assistance The UAG program is designed to support Georgian universities creative grant proposals for carrying out small-scale activities aimed at improving their capacities in public policy, public administration and political science. Potential activities could include: supporting specialized trainings for faculty and administrators, visiting professors, faculty retreats, publications, translation and summer schools. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 and can last up to six months. Interested universities can apply on a rolling basis, year-round. Beyond Grant-making G-PACs approach to grantmaking is not based on taking simple yes and no decisions on the submitted applications. Instead, we are committed to working closely with Georgian NGOs and universities to help them develop successful advocacy and capacity building initiatives. In addition to supporting NGOs in developing proposals for advocacy initiatives, G-PAC will also assist grantees throughout project implementation through continuous mentoring and training.

Upcoming Events
Feb. 8: Ilia State University will host the signing of a MoU between Ilia State University, Columbia University of New York City and EWMI. Together, they will create a Masters Degree program in Public Administration (MPA) in Georgia, sponsored by USAID. The MOU will set out the terms of cooperation between the respective universities and EWMIs G-PAC program. Feb. 9: Dr. Arvid Lukauskas will lecture at Ilia State University on Currency Wars and how they affect the economies of developing and developed economies. The lecture will be held in Room 101 at 32 Chavchavadze Ave. Feb. 10: Dr. William B. Eimicke, professor at Columbia University, will present on Public Private Partnerships, including how they can fund and deliver vital infrastructure projects. This invitationonly event will be held at the National Library.

G-PAC Seeks Public Involvement, Input

EWMI G-PAC is committed to transparency and proactive public outreach. Therefore, we invite interested parties to become involved actively in planning and evaluating projects. To this end, G-PAC has launched its interactive website: www.ewmi-gpac.org. Beyond disseminating information, the website serves as a discussion forum. Website G-PAC launched its website in Nov. 2010. Since then it has become a platform for sharing and gathering information about G-PACs programs and activities. The website provides information about G-PACs mission, team, main programs and grants, as well as past, ongoing and planned activities. Interested parties can subscribe to EWMI G-PACs newsletter and news updates; register to leave comments and suggestions; and complete grant applications online. The website is bilingual (in Georgian and English). Visit regularly for information about G-PAC grants, upcoming events and to share your views and concerns. Public Outreach Public outreach is an overarching priority for the GPAC program. From Oct. to Dec. 2010, the G-PAC team met with more than 100 NGOs throughout Georgia to inform them about GPACs goals and grant programs. G-PAC will continue interacting actively with its partners, grantees and other stakeholders to ensure that its work is widely publicized and externally evaluated.

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Contact
East-West Management Institute (EWMI) Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia (G-PAC) #5 Marjanishvili St. Third Floor Tbilisi 0102 Georgia Tel (995 32) 202 444 Fax (995 32) 202 441 info@ewmi-gpac.org www.ewmi-gpac.org

G-PAC, Peace Corps Build Network

On Feb. 1, 2011, G-PAC participated in the NGO Resource Fair 2011 organized by Peace Corps Georgia in Bazaleti, Dusheti region. The Fair brought together Peace Corps volunteers and regional counterparts from throughout the country, aiming to build networks between this group and donors active in the regions. Ms. Tamar Germanashvili, G-PAC Grants and Finance Manager, presented the EWMI G-PAC mission, as well as its past, present and planned activities. She also disseminated information about G-PACs upcoming grant programs, encouraging Peace Corps volunteers and their NGO counterparts to apply for these and other G-PAC activities. G-PAC thanks Peace Corps for the opportunity to meet its network of active and committed volunteers. We look forward to collaborating with the Peace Corps

G-PAC representatives discuss G-PAC with interested Peace Corps volunteers during the NGO Resource Fair on Feb. 1, 2011 in Bazaleti, Dusheti.

About EWMI and G-PAC NEWS

What do you think?
G-PAC is interested in your opinions about our work. Please send your comments, concerns, suggestions and any questions you may have about GPACs objectives, main directions and activities to: info@ewmi-gpac.org or via our website: www.ewmi-gpac.org. East-West Management Institute, Inc. (EWMI) is a US-based not-for profit organization with over 20 years experience managing successful and complex civil society, legal and economic projects worldwide. EWMI is carrying out a four-year USAID-funded Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia (G-PAC) project. G-PAC aims to strengthen civil societys role in advocating for and influencing the development and effective implementation of public policy reforms in Georgia. Toward achieving this goal, G-PAC involves two components: (1) assisting non-governmental organizations with strengthening their institutional and human capacities on a demand-driven basis, and (2) cooperating with higher education institutions to help improve their public policy courses. Our quarterly newsletter, G-PAC NEWS, seeks to keep G-PACs partners informed about our activities and achievements.

For more comprehensive information about G-PAC, please visit our website at www.ewmi-gpac.org. You can also find us on Facebook (Policy, Advocacy and Civil Society Development in Georgia) and at twitter.com/ewmi.gpac. You can also visit our new blog: ewmigpac.posterous.com.