The Council of Europe Office in Georgia has launched the new project “Enhancing Equality and Non-Discrimination in Georgia” to improve protection from and effective redress of discrimination and hate crime for people from diverse ethnic, religious groups and LGBTI people.

On 14^th of March 2024, together with its partners, the Public Defender’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor’s Office, Supreme Court of Georgia, Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions, Special Investigation Service and Coalition for Equality together with its member CSOs, the Council of Europe officially launched the Project at the first Steering Committee meeting.

During the meeting, stakeholders expressed commitment to the project goals and to cooperation with the Council of Europe. They discussed challenges, achievements and presented the vision for upcoming work. The project partners, from public institutions and civil society, expressed readiness to contribute to a successful implementation of the Project.

The project runs until 31 December 2025 and builds on the results of the Council of Europe previous projects “Promoting the Effective Protection of Equality and Non-Discrimination in Georgia” and “Fight against Discrimination, Hate Crimes and Hate Speech in Georgia”.

It will strive to enhance the prevention, protection against, and efficient resolution of discrimination and hate crimes targeting individuals from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as LGBTI individuals, and to promote better understanding and awareness of the needs of vulnerable groups. Aligned with the Council of Europe Action Plan, it addresses challenges identified by the Council of Europe Mechanisms (such as, European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, Committee of Ministers, ECtHR).

The Project is funded through the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027.