The Center of Strategic Research and Development of Georgia has been working in the direction of community development, since 1998. Many years of experience have shown that the effective way to better realize the potential at the local level and to deal with the current challenges is determined by the presence of a strong civil society.

The aim of the program is to strengthen civil society in the regions and support community leaders, civil organizations or initiative groups.

Accordingly, the program, within the framework of its activities, promotes the encouragement of local initiatives, the formation of community groups, their financial strengthening and informal education. In addition, the organization has been trying for years to deepen the network ties between community organizations and initiative groups and to support their common initiatives.

Over time, the program was able to unite supporters of the idea, mobilize additional financial resources, deepen knowledge and expertise in community development in the region, and create networks. In addition, in order to share many years of experience and accumulated expertise, an informational web portal - www.cdrc.ge - was created in 2011 within the direction, which today plays the role of a community development resource center in Georgia.

Main activities of the program

• Promotion of community work in Georgia, raising awareness in terms of community development and improving the operating environment of community organizations or initiative groups
• Discovery/formation of local leaders, new groups and their long-term organizational support
• Financial support of community initiatives and projects
• Development and strengthening of existing intellectual resources in the region
• Strengthening and expansion of existing local community networks in the country
• Introduction of new mechanisms of philanthropy and mobilization of local resources

Since 2014, one of the important activities of the community development direction is the financial support of community groups and organizations. The purpose of the activity is to promote the strengthening of civil groups in the region and the financial support of local initiatives or projects in the community. So that these groups and people, by uniting the local community, can bring about positive changes in the community.

See projects sponsored by the organization

Unique Area of Expertise

• 24 years of history in community development
• A long-term approach to capacity building - financial support coupled with intensive information and technical support for community groups
• Networking approach - strengthening links between initiative groups and community organizations across the country and supporting joint initiatives
• The documentary film "Across the road in the village" prepared by the department was included in the community development curriculum of one of the British universities as a successful example of the results of working with the community

International networks and associations

• European Community Foundation Initiative
• The Funding Network
• Community Development Journal 

For more information, visit the website of the program