Community workers trained in social mobilization and behaviour change fundamentals
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UN Women is continuing to use a social mobilization methodology to implement the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the local level. As part of this effort, displaced and conflict-affected women engaged in identifying and advocating for the needs of their communities across various regions of Georgia - with the support of UN Women - are trained in the fundamentals of social mobilization and behaviour change.
On 19 and 20 July in Tbilisi, community workers and representatives of partner civil society organizations (CSOs) completed a two-day training on the fundamentals of social mobilization and behaviour change. The training brought together 24 women participants, including 16 community workers. During the training, participants explored key components of community mobilization, the principles and dynamics of establishing and operating self-help groups, the importance of volunteerism, and models and specific aspects of behaviour change. The training also included practical, role-based exercises. Through these activities, participants discussed the needs of their communities, explored behavioural barriers within the local population and developed practical ideas aimed at improving everyday life at the community level using the social mobilization methodology.
Since 2010, UN Women, in partnership with local CSOs, has been applying the social mobilization methodology in community-based projects. This methodology empowers women living in rural areas, supporting their personal development and enabling them to become community leaders. It fosters their active participation in decision-making processes and advocacy initiatives, promotes successful and inspiring examples of volunteerism, and strengthens effective collaboration among women, local authorities and community members—ultimately driving positive change in village life. The localization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in target regions has been under way since 2018.
In partnership with local CSOs, internally displaced women and those living adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABLs) are actively engaged in advocacy efforts and community initiatives. This process plays a key role in empowering them, enhancing their participation in decision-making and advocacy, and contributing to the improvement of everyday life in local communities. From now on, internally displaced women and those residing adjacent to the ABLs will carry out their community initiatives using the social mobilization methodology.
Nazi Lobzhanidze, one of the training participants, was displaced from Abkhazia and now lives in the Khoni military settlement in the Imereti region. She noted: “Before we began implementing our initiatives, active women like us weren’t taken seriously. People would say we were just meeting up to have coffee. But soon, we achieved a lot: We improved the infrastructure and living conditions in displacement settlements and mobilized the entire neighbourhood—both women and men. Then people from other settlements started coming directly to us to help solve their problems. They would share their challenges [and] ask for support and advice. We became a bridge between the community and decision makers.” Nazi is actively involved in the localization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and has been volunteering to address the needs of her settlement for years. Now she also leads community work as a dedicated community worker. The knowledge imparted during the training will support Nazi and other participants in continuing their efforts with renewed approaches aimed at achieving sustainable change.
The training was organized by UN Women within the framework of the project “Women Act for Peace and Security”, with financial support from the UK Government.