Georgia: Contribution to CoE Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027, Democracy Starts in Schools


Good governance is a prerequisite for sustainable development and peaceful societies. By tapping into the Council of Europe’s expertise in human rights, rule of law and democracy, Switzerland will continue to contribute to Georgia's democratic culture. Beyond the support to the CoE’s core programme, youth empowerment, with focus on their active participation in decision-making processes for responsible citizenship, is the focus of the Swiss supported intervention.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Georgia
Governance
Education
nothemedefined
Democratic participation and civil society
Education policy
01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027
CHF  3’460’000
Background

The proposed intervention is an integral part of the Council of Europe’s (CoE) Action Plan (AP) for 2024-2027 for Georgia. By supporting the AP at large, Switzerland is particularly well placed to join the other development partners and contribute to the broad range of human rights and governance reforms.

Switzerland’s focus on youth is underpinned by Georgia’s National Youth Strategy 2023-2026, National Education and Science Strategy 2022-2030 and the Law of Georgia on General Education guarantee students’ right to participate in school decision-making. However, low student participation persists due to a hierarchical school culture, maintained by the school principals and lack of awareness by the students about their rights. School-children are often not adequately informed about decision-making processes and have limited platforms for voicing their concerns.

Objectives

Switzerland’s contribution will support and strengthen Georgia’s reforms in the fields of human rights, the rule of law and democracy so that institutions, legislations and practices in the area of human rights, the rule of law and democracy are in line with European standards and Council of Europe members’ obligations.

Part of this contribution will be earmarked to ensure that democratic processes are strengthened through increased participation of secondary school children in their schools and communities in Georgia. 

Target groups

Direct beneficiaries are secondary schoolchildren (aged 10 to 18), school representatives (principals and teachers) and civil society organizations working on  democratic citizenship and human rights in Georgia.

Indirect beneficiaries are national and local level educational institutions, and local communities. 

Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Educational decision-makers, school community members and professionals (school principals, teachers, etc.) support the participatory school governance model and a democratic culture in schools.

Outcome 2: School community members and civil society organizations facilitate school children’s participation in decision-making processes in their schools and communities. 

Results

Expected results:  

  • 60 schools have the capacities to implement the democratic school governance principles
  • 20 schools pilot digital tool/platform for student participation in school decision-making
  • 50 school principals and 300 teachers strengthen their professional competences and support the democratic school governance model
  • The schools engage with local stakeholders to implement 12 community-based projects
  • Approximately 4’000 schoolchildren increase their competences in tools and approaches for democratic participation in decision-making at schools and in their communities
  • Approximately 500 community stakeholders, including parents, support democratic citizenship education in schools through the implementation of schoolchildren’s projects


Results from previous phases:  

  • 20 schools piloted Methodological Guidelines for Democratic School Governance and specific Action Plans on student participation
  • National Center for Teachers’ Professional Development (NCTPD) approved and integrated professional development programme for school directors in its training course
  • 54 school principals and 320 teachers increased knowledge to foster student participation
  • 1’324 schoolchildren improved their understanding of democratic values in school environment
  • 64 schoolchildren learned to develop and implement projects in schools and communities
  • The Network of Schools for Education for Democracy was established with 45 member schools


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe
Project partners Contract partner
Other International Organization
  • Council of Europe
  • The contracting partner is the CoE headquarters in Strasbourg, which is responsible for the implementation of the Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027 in close cooperation with its Office in Georgia.


Coordination with other projects and actors In coordinating its support with the rest of its portfolio, Switzerland will focus on its Local Economic Development, Vocational Education and Training, and Arts and Culture projects in Georgia. Additionally, synergies will be sought with other relevant projects implemented by the CoE, the Zürich University for Teacher Education and USAID.
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    3’460’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’282’500 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    20’916’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   2’540’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   8’020’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027   (Current phase) Phase 1 01.03.2022 - 31.12.2024   (Current phase)