Non-formal education - Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

life. Computer and language courses, entrepreneurial and small business programmes, Georgian
language courses for national minorities may be taken as few examples of this.
c) Civic Education gained special importance. Programmes for adults for civil peace and integration,
conflictprevention and peaceful resolution, for encouraging active citizens develop fast and address needs
of population in sustainable development. Through rather new topics as democracy, tolerance,interethnic
relationships, active citizenship, gender, protection of the environment, healthylifestyle and others and
by using interactive methodology non-formal Civic Education programmes influence big majority of
population in Georgia and contributed to development of democratic society in the country.
d) Changes in economy, shift to market economy, increased unemployment and high competition
in finding jobs set one more priority: development and implementation of short-term training programmes
in different fields and professions. The aim of such programmes delivered in non-formal settings and
based on “learning by doing” methodology is to raise qualification of beneficiaries and promote their
employment on a tight timetable.
e) Non-formal education Adult Education addressing specific needs of different vulnerable groups
within the society. Courses for the ethnic minorities to learn the state language; integration and social
adaptation programmes for internally displaced persons and refugees; activities for citizens living
in economically undeveloped regions; participants of migration processes, etc. are definitely newly
established directions of non-formal education in Georgia.
f) Youth non-formal education, including educational programmes for youth dropped out of schools
and vocational education and lacking relevant skills and knowledge
g) Literacy programmes. Although official data displays an adult literacy rate of 100 per cent (UNDP
2008) there are signals of increased number of people (both Georgians and national minorities) who
do not possess sufficient functional literacy skills. This definitely creates barriers for them to use their
potential, to be employed and to enjoy fully their rights. Non-formal programmes organized in learner
friendly atmosphere contribute to finding solution to this problem.
h) More and more private structures are getting interested in raising qualification of their employees
through non-formal education programmes: on-site education, weekend courses, etc. As the formal
system of retraining does not exist for the most of professions and occupations, non-formal education
structures strive to address this need as well.
Against this backdrop the role of non-formal education should be strengthened as an effective
tool in poverty reduction and sustainable development. However, despite the importance of nonformal
education for a successful development, its place in the educational system of Georgia remains
uncertain and in majority of cases is almost fully supported only by international donor community.
At the same time there are several precedents illustrating increased interest of the government in
non-formal educational programmes:
Tbilisi City Hall Program – “Start Business with the support of Tbilisi City Hall”
In collaboration with the “Open Society – Georgia” Foundation, USAID Small Enterprise Support
Project, “Millennium Challenge Georgia” and the Investment Agency of Georgia Tbilisi city Hall started
the program in 2006. The initiative provided trainings to obtain required entrepreneurship skills and
funding opportunities, as well as business consultations aimed at developing of existing businesses.
The program consisted of 3 phases. During the first phase, the applications have been submitted
and training participants selected. In the second phase trainings were conducted, entrepreneurs were
provided with consultations, projects were elaborated and selected. Registration, funding and additional
consultations of entrepreneurs took place in the course of the final, third phase.
This program is being currently implemented by Tbilisi City Hall, however excluding a training
component. Submitted business project shall be commercially beneficial. Moreover, it shall facilitate
the development of territories joining Tbilisi and Old Tbilisi; creation of job places; introduction of
technological innovations; tourism development; enterprise development; supply of ecologically fresh
product originated in various regions of Georgia to the customers in Tbilisi. There are no maximum and
minimum limits for the loan. Interest rate for the preferential loan amounts to 10%, and the interest rate
for issuing the loan – 0%. Credit time-line is 60 months. Preferential period for payment of the loan shall
be determined on case-by-case basis, considering the specificities of concrete projects.
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