On September 26-30, trainers from the Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS) delivered a training course for Georgian civic activists on nonviolent and creative strategies and forms for civic activism. CANVAS has over 20 years of experience in training and mentoring pro-democracy activists from more than 50 countries.
Twenty-one activists – representing Tbilisi, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Imeteri, Samegrelo, and Adjara – participated in the training. Their areas of activism covered a spectrum of varied interests, including environmental issues, children’s rights, community development, access to quality education, rights of minorities, and many more.
The training course taught the activists new approaches towards nonviolent protest, self-organization, and mobilization of supporters. They also had the opportunity to network with one another and explore possible areas of future cooperation. Besides theoretical lessons, the participants also worked on their practical assignments, including drawing up campaign plans.
In the coming months, CANVAS will continue to be involved with the participants, conducting individual consultations and additional group sessions on important aspects of civic campaigns, such as campaign branding, visual communications, media relations, and fundraising.
Strengthening civic activism is one of the top priorities of the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program. Therefore, training courses for activists will continue to be conducted twice a year under the program, and participants will be selected through an open competition.
