- What does early conflict prevention mean, how to react according to the components of human security, what kind of dangers do the young people feel - these and other questions, using thematic exercises, were discussed with Senaki youth group.

According to young participants, low level of education, the problem of employment, the migration of women, and the social background is dangerous. In their opinion, every person perceives danger differently, and the response mechanism should also be appropriate.

The second meeting was also devoted to this topic - with members of the women initiative group: what is the early conflicts prevention system and how important is its application in a gender prism. Group members will take part in the research - they learned about the techniques and skills of conducting focus groups and in-depth interviews.

Meetings of Women Iitiative Groups and youth were held in Kutaisi on the topic “Gender-Responsive Early Warning System ”. At the beginning of the meeting, the participants of the general training of initiative groups spoke about this system as the best way to avoid conflict (groups were also created in Khoni, Tskaltubo, Senaki, Zugdidi, Tsalenjikha, and 2-3 members from each group participated in the training).

Through the presentations, the participants of the meetings got acquainted with the main stages of the early warning system and response to them, with the essence of human security and other important issues.

At the end of the meetings, it was noted that, Kutaisi initiative group together with the initiative groups of other municipalities, will conduct a research of the population human security and gender needs.

A meeting with a youth initiative group was held in Tskaltubo municipality. With the help of role- games and thematic exercises, the participants discussed the following issues: early conflict prevention, components of human security in a gender perspective. They expressed interest in the topic during the analysis of role- games.

The second meeting was held with members of the women initiative group. They listened to information about research techniques and skills and will be involved in the research process, the purpose of which is to study the interests of different vulnerable groups in terms of human security components.

On April 6, a meeting with one initiative group of women was held in Khoni City Council  and the other - in the House of Culture.

First speech was presented form the side of training participants (6 women out of this group participated in the training, which was held in Sairme) and they shared their impressions with the group members.

Then there was a presentation on "Gender Responsive Early Warning System." The participants of the two meetings got acquainted with the essence of this system and human security. At the end, they received information about the research "Assessment of the quality of population human security and gender needs", also the participants, who will carry out this work were selected.

First activity of the project “Bridging the Gap: People to People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution” was held in Sairme on March 27-28. These were two trainings, which were carried out for two groups on one important topic "Gender Responsive Early Warning System (GREWS)". Members of women and youth initiative groups created within the project from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha municipalities participated in the trainings. Using the information obtained during two days, the members of the initiative group will be involved in the process of research, which is planned in the target municipalities.

Fund "Sukhumi" started working on the project “Bridging the Gap: People to People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution”. According to the project, Women and Youth Initiative Groups have been formed in Kutaisi, Tskalutbo, Khoni, Senaki, Zugdidi and Tsalenjikha municipalities. Each group is composed by 20-25 members.

Women and youth groups will work in parallel and will be involved in the activities envisaged under the project - studying the needs at local level and advocating for problems. The members of the group will pass special trainings, educational seminars, which will serve to increase their competence and strengthen civic activism. The work of the initiative groups is an important component of the project, which will create an opportunity for the implementation of new initiatives and will contribute to improving the level of tolerance in society.

The Fund "Sukhumi" in partnership with the Association "Peaceful and Business Caucasus" and with the support of the USAID is implementing the project “Bridging the Gap: People to People Initiatives for Conflict Resolution”.

The project has been actively started since February and includes civil, educational, medical and economic areas.

Numerous activities are planned during two years on both sides of the conflict dividing line. Youth clubs and councils will be established in 11 municipalities, trainings and meetings will be held, exchange programs will be organized, small grants will be funded, etc.

All of these activities are based on a trilateral strategy: overcoming mistrust through personal contacts, identifying common topics, finding and supporting ways of reconciliation.

The project is implemented with the support of the USAID