The Guria-based CSO “Young Scientist’s Club of Ozurgeti” through EWMI ACCESS funding launched an innovative citizen engagement mechanism in Ozurgeti Municipality – an online and SMS-based platform informing citizens about upcoming Sakrebulo (City Council) meeting dates and agendas, attendance procedures, etc. To make this program operational the Ozurgeti Young Scientist’s Club developed the special electronic software that sends short messages to all citizens who have signed up for it. As of August 2016, more than 800 Ozurgeti municipality residents received text messages and/or emails about upcoming meetings at the local government. The online tool is already integrated in the Ozurgeti Municipality Sakrebulo website enabling new users to get registered. The innovative tool has already enhanced public attention and interests towards the Sakrebulo meetings in Ozurgeti municipality.
Over the period from August 29 to September 2, EWMI ACCESS together with the Ozurgeti Young Scientist’s Club are holding best practice-sharing meetings with interested CSOs and government members in Batumi, Zugdidi, Kutaisi, Gori and Rustavi. The Young Scientist’s Club representatives will speak about this innovative approach and its success in Ozurgeti municipality, as well as offer cooperation to interested parties. These meetings are part of the Best Practice and Innovation Events series held by EWMI ACCESS which aim at sharing effective civic engagement and community mobilization strategies and tactics and identifying best practices for advancing public interest causes with broad citizen participation.
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