On May 19-22, 2016 Tbilisi, Georgia was the host of the first event within the third phase – “Local Capacities for Peace Programming Committee Meeting & Program Forum”.

20 participants from YMCAs of Armenia, Georgia & Nagorno Karabakh, as well as the Staff of YMCA Europe and “Roots for Reconciliation” project took part in the Forum. The event program consisted of several different modules.

On the first 2 days, the Programming Committee, comprising the RfR Staff, as well as participants and graduates of the previous phase discussed the plans, elaborated specific criteria and divided tasks for the upcoming event. The general roadmap of actions for the next few years of the project implementation period was also discussed and agreed.

During the next 2 days, the participants of the Forum had the opportunity to be exposed to the project plan of “Roots for Reconciliation” for the period of 2016-2019, with specific focus on “Local Capacities for Peace” Seed Grant Tool component – envisaging the implementation of peace-building initiatives in 2017-2018 by YMCAs located in South Caucasus region.

The program included the presentation of Do No Harm Matrix as a tool and guideline for the project proposals to be elaborated & submitted by South Caucasus YMCAs within “Local Capacities for Peace” Seed Grant Tool component. The presentation was followed by practical work in National YMCA groups – with specific project ideas already formed and presented to the entire group.

The draft project ideas will be further tailored within National YMCA task-groups and will be presented to Program Committee for analysis & approval in autumn 2016.

The participants also had the chance to explore & enjoy Tbilisi – the city of connectors and the success story of various religions, ethnic groups and individuals living in peace side by side…

For the full photo album of the event click on the picture to enlarge.