In May and June 2025, an international project entitled “Strengthening the civic engagement of Georgian youth” was carried out, aimed at supporting young leaders from Kutaisi, Georgia’s second largest city, in developing their civic potential, participation in public life, and involvement in local decision-making processes. The project was based on the exchange of experiences from Poland, which, thanks to its history of political transformation and strong civil society, can be an important source of inspiration for young activists from the Eastern Partnership countries.
Workshops in Kutaisi – an intensive impulse for action
The first stage of the project was a workshop organized on May 14–15, 2025, in Kutaisi. During the workshop, young people from the Imereti region had the opportunity to participate in a series of meetings, lectures, and practical sessions led by experienced experts from Poland and the European Union.
One of the main speakers was Marco Boaria from ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy), who presented specific tools and strategies to support local participation. Participants learned how to create civic networks, mobilize communities, and use digital tools to engage citizens in city life.
During the following sessions, Adam Reichardt, editor-in-chief of New Eastern Europe and representative of the College of Eastern Europe, presented Poland’s experiences during the political transformation of the 1990s. He pointed out how civic activism contributed to the building of a modern democratic state and what challenges non-governmental organizations in Poland face today.
Another important point was the presentation by Magdalena Charkin-Jaszcza from the European Solidarity Center, who spoke about the role of solidarity as a driving force for social change, both historically and in the present day. She also pointed to the current activities of the ECS in the context of support for Ukraine, Belarus, and the broader struggle for civil rights.
The workshops ended with a meeting with Marta Kamińska, Olsztyn city councilor and member of the Committee for the Defense of Democracy, who shared her personal experience of social activism. She talked about how to build effective grassroots civic movements that have a real impact on local and national politics.
Study visit to Poland – a practical look at democracy
Another key element of the project was a study visit to Poland on June 1–5, 2025, attended by a group of youth leaders from Kutaisi. The participants visited three places: Wojnowice, Wrocław, and Gdańsk.
The visit began at the headquarters of the College of Eastern Europe in Wojnowice, where meetings and discussions were held on the role of local government in a democratic system and European Union policy. A workshop on this topic was given by Irina Tkeshelashvili from the Team Europe network.
In Wrocław, the Georgian youth met with members of the Wrocław Youth Council, representatives of local government, and the University of Wrocław. The guests also took part in a special city walk with Sławomir Sochaj, author of the book “Niedopolska”, who introduced them to the difficult history of the Recovered Territories and the importance of local identity.
The last stop of the visit was Gdańsk, the symbolic capital of Solidarity. The young people met Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, took part in a discussion on solidarity with Georgia, and visited the European Solidarity Center. Meetings were also held with representatives of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Province and the Regional Youth Parliament, during which the role of young people in shaping regional policy was discussed.
The visit ended with participation in the celebrations of the anniversary of the first partially free elections of June 4th 1989, an event that symbolically began the process of democratization in Poland.
Youth as a driving force for change
The final part of the project will be a lessons-learnt document that hopefully can be used for this generation of youth to better support the development of local democracy. Participants of the workshops and study visit will share their experiences in this final report.
The project “Strengthening the civic engagement of Georgian youth” is not only an opportunity to gain knowledge, but above all to exchange experiences, establish relationships, and build a network of young leaders who will be able to work for change in their local communities. Poland, through its achievements in the fight for democracy, the building of civil society, and decentralization, has shown itself to be an important partner and inspiration for young Georgians.
This project is co-financed by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation as part of the RITA- Transformation in the Region program, implemented by the Education for Democracy Foundation.
