Georgia

DVV International has been working in Georgia since 2002. The regional office in Tbilisi currently coordinates not only the promotion of adult learning and education in the country, but also DVV International’s projects in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

Adult learning and education (ALE) is not recognised as an independent education sector in Georgia and, with the exception of vocational training, receives no state support. Therefore, many of DVV International’s activities in Georgia are particularly aimed at informing the general public as well as politicians about the potential of ALE for equitable and sustainable development.

Together with local civil society partner organisations, DVV International has established a total of 15 ALE centres modelled on the German Volkshochschulen in all 15 regions of the country. They provide holistic, needs-based and affordable education for various target groups. For adults in these regions, these courses are often the only opportunity for further education. DVV International supports the Georgian ALE centres in developing their diverse course programmes and in qualifying management and teaching staff so that they can develop innovative, creative and flexible institutions for local citizens and receive more funding from the municipalities.

Main focus of work

• Improving the framework conditions for ALE: In close cooperation with the Georgian Adult Education Network (GAEN), DVV International is committed to ensuring that general, non-formal ALE becomes a recognised and independent pillar of the education system through dialogue and consulting with state and municipal decision-makers. This includes, for example, anchoring ALE and funding for the programmes in legislation and developing strategies in the field of ALE and lifelong learning.
• Strengthening adult learning and education centres: DVV International supports the Georgian ALE centres in their organisational development and in the qualification of their teaching staff and management. In particular, the various curricula (Curriculum institutionALE, Curriculum globALE and Curriculum managerALE) of DVV International are used for this purpose.
• Expansion and qualitative improvement of ALE programmes in 15 municipalities: Together with local partners, educational programmes for professional and personal development are being developed and piloted to meet the needs of the local population.

Partners

There has been intensive cooperation with the Georgian Ministry of Education for a number of years, including in opening up the country’s vocational training centres to adult target groups, in the area of career guidance and in the further training of teachers. Other important partners are 15 local civil society organisations that run ALE centres in all regions of the country, as well as their umbrella organisation (Georgian Adult Education Network, GAEN).