This organization was established in 2002 under the title of The Youth Association of Akhalgori, however as a result of the South Ossetia War in August 2008, the organization was internally displaced. These events brought changes in the organization’s goals and objectives, and the organization was renamed “For Better Future,” N.(N.)L.E. The goal of the organization is to work specifically with wom
en and youth; promoting civil society and the integration of Internally Displaced People.
In 2008, For Better Future joined the “Coalition for IDP’s Rights” www.idp.ge
Since 2009, For Better Future has been member of the Civil Forum - Place For Peace www.civil-forum.org
Since 2012, For Better Future has been a member of the Regional Network of Civil Society Organizations http://www.cso.ge
Since 2012, For Better Future has been a member of the Gender Equality Network
From 2013-2015 and 2015-present, Peace Corps Volunteers have worked on For Better Future organization’s team http://www.peacecorps.gov
Since 2014 For Better Future is a hosting organization for EVS (European Voluntary Service). europa.eu
Since 2015 For Better Future has been a member of CSO Network working with war affected population- “Movement for Wellbeing” Network Movement for Wellbeing
Since 2014 For better Future’s affiliated social enterprise “Ikorta” has been a member of the Network of Social Enterprise Organizations of Georgia
Since 2016 For better Future’s affiliated social enterprise “Ikorta” has been a co-founder of CSO “Social Enterprise Alliance” of Georgia
Since 2016 For better Future’s affiliated social enterprise “Ikorta” has been a member of “Georgian Craft Association”
Most of our organization’s beneficiaries are IDPs from the 2008 conflict and they have limited communication with residents of the occupied territory. Therefore, the peacebuilding and conflict-resolution process for the South Ossetia region is a primary focus for our organization. We collaborate with international organizations and local nongovernmental organizations to promote confidence-building and dialogue techniques. Since 2009, our organization has actively participated in the Georgian-Ossetian negotiation process; bringing together civil society organizations from the Tskhinvali region and from Georgia to participate in dialogues on neutral territory. For Better Future also works with ethnic minorities in Georgia, including Ossetian people currently living in the occupied territory, and the civil society organizations supporting them. Peace Building
Our organization works on legal and humanitarian issues connected to war affected population. For Better Future is actively involved in identification their problems and needs in order to highlight them on an international level. Working with Young Leaders
For Better Future has much experience in working with and training young leaders. In 2009-2010, with the support of “Open Society – Georgia”, organization implemented the project in four districts in Mtskheta-Mtianeti Region, which aimed at identification of the young leaders for their inclusion in civil society. In 2016, For Better Future implemented a Let Girls Learn project, an innovative initiative of the First Lady of USA – Michelle Obama. The main goal of the project is to expend educational opportunities for girls—including in areas of conflict and crisis. Through the project, Tserovani IDP Youth House girls were trained in different classes such as IT, sewing, animation, and puppet theatre. Since 2014, For Better Future Implements summer and winter camps for IDP students to discover and support leadership skills in order to promote their complete integration into society in order to develop healthy civic thinking. Through the Democracy Commission Small Grant Program, For Better Future continued work with youth leaders and established IDP Youth Community Engagement Clubs in 3 IDP settlements in Mtskheta-Mtianeti region and gave identified potential leaders chance to become assists to their community. For Better Future, equipped spaces in each settlement with all the necessary equipment and internet, trained youth in relevant topics, and empowered participants to take part in their community development. Since 2014, For Better Future implements Youth Professional Development Programs to build economic capacity and opportunities in Tserovani, Tsilkani and Prezeti IDP Settlement. Also, to build professional skills among job seekers and increase local employment opportunities. For Better Future supports youth education opportunities by working with the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program in the Tserovani IDP settlement. Based on the recommendation of our organization, in 2013 nine IDP youth started a 3-year international relations degree program in Poland’s Adam Mickiewicz University. Working with the support of the US Embassy in Georgia, American Corners is a joint partnership project that promotes cooperation and understanding between the United States and Georgia by providing accurate information about the U.S. In order to reach the IDP community, For Better Future is managing an American Corner “on wheels” (referred to as the Bookmobile) that travels among the IDP settlements with free English resources and educational programing. Women’s Issues
As an organization founded by women, we understand opportunities and important role the women play in the community, especially in crisis situations. For Better Future is interested in growing the social activities of women and develop their resources. Social Entrepreneurship
In 2012, For Better Future started two social enterprises for women: Georgian Enamel Enterprise ( http://www.ikorta.com), Folk Handicraft Enterprise (http://youtu.be/581f2liGT0A), and Social Enterprise Cafe. Each organization employs four women from the Tserovani IDP community; providing them professional opportunities close to their homes as well as income to support their families. Social Enterprise Ikorta now is a stable fund for “For Better Future” to run organizational activities. Project Management
For Better Future has multiple years of project management experience gained from the projects implemented in the Akhalgori district before 2008, as well as projects implemented in the Tserovani IDP settlement. In accordance with the stated goals and objectives, the organization has established cooperation with the following organizations: the “Open Society – Georgia” Foundation, “TASO” Foundation, Women’s Fund in Georgia, UNDP, COBERM, EUMM, US Embassy in Georgia, local NGOs, and governmental organizations.
