2 Cluster meeting (24-28.10.2016) Georgia

The second Cluster meeting within the project was organized in Georgia during 24.10-28.10.2016, Tbilisi, for all partners in the project. The host of our visit was the Georgian Association of Social Workers and we really want to thank them for their wonderful organization of the meeting.

The program of the study visit was developed in partnership and consensus with all partners in the project and sought to include exciting activities included in the agenda of project. The partners’ participation in this meeting was an occasion for us to meet again and discuss the main matters within the project. At the meeting the participants discussed the professionalization of social workers in each partner country. A comprehensive report was presented by Ia Shekriladze, Georgia, who presented international experience in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia on professionalization of the profession of social worker. The experience of the UK was reported by Salome, Georgia. From Moldova the presentation was made by Tamara Adasan, the project social expert. She also shared the experience of home medico-social care in Moldova.

The topic „Family preservation” was presented by Mira Antonyan, Armenia and Elena Stempovscaia, Moldova. The topic is very current for all countries. Proposals have been made to do a wider analysis to identify priority issues for which it will lobby and advocacy and also proposals for small grants. It will also be drawn up a document that will submit proposals to improve the family preservation, which will be submitted to the relevant Ministries and Government.

During the visit, we had the opportunity to visit several institutions working in social area, support children with disabilities, children from vulnerable families and mothers in crisis.

The visit was well planned and organized by the main Project Manager, Nicole Bauer and the host, the Georgian Association of Social Workers. The time was used rationally, were created comfortable conditions for the meeting. We believe that the visit has achieved its purpose. The participants have obtained relevant information in all areas during the discussions, benefited from direct best practices, which are to adapt and implement them, as far as possible, in effective initiatives for the community.