Society Biliki

Society Biliki is a local non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in May 1997 in the Shida Kartli region of Georgia to work with disadvantaged populations. Biliki’s mission is to increase the capacity of youth, the community and civil society to be actively involved in and influence decision making processes at the local governmental level. Biliki primarily works with children from: a) low-income families in Gori including street children (6-18 age); b) IDP families; c) Gori Municipality schools; and d) State Care Biliki runs programs in the following four areas: 1. Child Care: We create a family environment for children under state care who do not have the opportunity to live in alternative care (return to /live in biological family, fostering, adoption). Also to create alternative services for the children who are under state care and give their families support. Biliki provides the following services: a. 0-7 early childhood/early intervention: Early intervention is a system of services that helps children with developmental delays or disabilities. Early intervention focuses on helping eligible children learn basic and new skills that typically develop during the first years of life. b. Day centers: Children from poor families receive educational, psychological, social and basic services. About sixty children receive services across two day centers. c. Small family houses: Homes for children under state care. One house is in Gori, two are in Khashuri. The aim is to support the development of alternative forms of child care. d. Mothers’ and their children shelter: A shelter for women and their children who have escaped domestic violence, providing physical, psychological and skills development support to the women and their children. 2. Community Development: We enhance local community opportunities for the welfare of community members through: a. English Access Micro scholarship program b. Media School (TV, newspaper and online media) c. Computer class (computer programs and creating blogs d. Handicraft studio (thick felt, enamel, embroidery, working with beads) e. IDP integration f. Training Center for teachers 3. Civil Society Development: We raise civic awareness in youth and adults and help them to be active citizens by providing civic education to teachers and students, and through Civic Clubs. 4. Volunteerism: established in 2006, we support the development of a culture of volunteerism in Georgian youth. This is a four-month program for young specialists to learn about the nonprofit sector and gain skills to help in their careers. Biliki has also hosted, sent and coordinated volunteers through the European Voluntary Service since 2013. I believe that our organizational strengths in these programs are: • our individualized approach to our beneficiaries • the strong relationships we have with the local community and local government, built on trust • our promotion and development of volunteerism as a tool for active engagement