Promoting IDPs' and Women's Voices in Post-Conflict Georgia

een in operation for two years or less. The great diversity among IDPs themselves also presents achallenge for NGOs in connecting with one another. The differences between old and new waves, alongwith IDPs from Abkhazia and South Ossetia, result in weak networks among NGOs that represent thesevarious groups. For instance, certain member IDP NGOs in the Synergy Network were established asearly as the 1990s, with the majority operating for a handful of years before they connected throughthis network. 366 NGO leaders also express different levels of motivation to communicate a concretestrategy and unified message to government actors, as some prefer to focus on their individualconcerns. Certain NGO leaders also act out of self-interest to benefit from their personal contacts withgovernment officials. 367While self-interested NGOs are not the norm, many well-meaning organizations may fail to adequatelyprepare for important multilateral events with concrete suggestions or recommendations, which maycause them to miss an opportunity to leverage access to policymakers. Several international donorrepresentatives highlighted that although they advise IDP NGO staff to prepare for conferences to whichthey are invited by reading relevant background documents, they instead “come with very harshfeelings” about not having been included in previous meetings. 368 According to one donorrepresentative, “what they don’t see is that it requires a bit of input and preparation. And if they feelthey need support to be better prepared, there are ways to get that support from donors.” 369Other stakeholders highlight the important role of the media in facilitating advocacy efforts. Currently,IDP organizations have limited access to electronic media in Georgia due to expensive prices forairtimes, and a lack of political will on the part of those controlling media outlets. Having greater accessto national media outlets can also help address gender inequality issues, and highlight messages ofwomen’s leadership in a positive manner. 370In 2002, UNIFEM (the predecessor of UN Women) attempted to create a coalition of women’s IDPNGOs, but this effort was unsuccessful. 371 Instead, it was found that many NGOs claiming to work ongender issues were not in fact doing so. These organizations were attempting to acquire donor support,as this was a ‘sexy topic’ for the international community. 372 Nevertheless, international donors areoptimistic that IDP NGOs can yet strengthen relations with one another and form a coalition tocommunicate a more unified message. 373 However, reconciling donor demands for greater unity and thereality of achieving this with limited financial support, a lack of leadership and coordination will remaindifficult for the NGO community.366 Ibid.367 Caroline Stampfer, Personal Interview.368 Tina Gewis, Personal Interview.369 Ibid.370 Senior Fellow, Personal Interview.371 Ibid.372 Manana Gabashvili, Personal Interview.373 Tamar Tavartkiladze and Graziella Piga (UN Women), Personal Interview, 12 March 2012.71