The Council of Europe Project "Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia" held a workshop for the staff of the Public Defender’s office in Georgia on preparing national reports under the reporting procedure of the European Social Charter. The workshop aimed to share the procedural aspects and the best practice of alternative/shadow reporting under the European Social Charter with the Public Defender’s (Ombudsman) Office staff. 

The European Social Charter is the Council of Europe treaty that guarantees social and economic rights. The reporting procedure is an essential tool for monitoring compliance with the Charter that the European Committee of Social Rights carries out.  

During the meeting, the Council of Europe national consultant discussed  European Social Charter as well as the reporting procedure under the treaty and presented the best practice of alternative/shadow reporting with the participants. As a group exercise, based on the different countries' examples, participants analysed alternative/shadow reports prepared by the national human rights institutions, social partners, and other human rights actors within the European Social Charter. 

During the discussions, participants stressed the importance to organise activities that help the Public Defender’s (Ombudsman) Office prepare effective and exhaustive alternative/shadow reports. Participants highlighted additional needs for capacity-building activities and identified areas for future collaboration.

The event was organized by the Council of Europe Project "Strengthening Protection of Social and Economic Rights in Georgia. The project is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023.