We are excited to share the highlights from our recent networking event in vibrant Tbilisi, where we gathered over 60 EaP Civil Society Fellows from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts. The event was designed to foster collaboration, learning, and networking among our diverse group of Fellows.
One of the key sessions of the event was an interactive ‘Partnering Success’ masterclass led by Thom Sprenger, Senior Advisor at The Partnering Initiative. This session explored the key dynamics of building successful partnerships and multi-stakeholder collaborations. Participants found this session particularly enlightening, with one attendee commenting, “I had my wow moment, especially when Thom was talking about the transformative side of partnership and its trans-sectional side.“
The networking event also provided an opportunity for teams of Fellows to collaborate on project proposals. These proposals were then pitched to each other and our Project team, resulting in the shortlisting of 5 regional projects. We are thrilled to see the innovative ideas and collaborative spirit displayed by our Fellows in these projects:
- Beyond Sight: Raising awareness of society in Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine about the life and challenges of people with disabilities through art.
- Film4Change: Initiating public discussion around social topics by creating a collection of documentary films and educational materials for CSOs in Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine.
- Climate Leadership School: Preparing a new generation of young eco-activists from the EaP countries to meaningfully engage in strategic discussions on climate issues within the international conference COP29.
- Media Robot: Enhancing capacities of civil society in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova to monitor and timely react to legislative initiatives of national authorities by creating an automated monitoring system.
- EmpowerAbility: Promoting disability inclusion and empowering young people with disabilities in Azerbaijan and Georgia through social theater performances.
The teams of the shortlisted projects will now have a couple of weeks to fully develop their projects and submit them for further evaluation. At the end of this process up to three regional Fellowship projects will be recommended for EU funding.
Feedback from participants highlighted the value of such events in promoting peace, understanding, and cooperation among different countries and communities. One participant noted, “Such events really promote peace. Because when you meet people from other countries, you understand them better and want to cooperate.”
For future fellows attending similar events, one piece of advice was to come with an open mind to listen and learn from others’ experiences, and to come prepared to bring added value to such events.
Overall, the event was a great success, emphasizing the importance of networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among civil society actors in the Eastern Partnership region. We look forward to seeing the development of new regional projects and the continued impact of our Fellowship programme in the region.
