Competitions

Application Deadline : 11 February 2020

Competition Title : Contest of Analytical Articles - Data for Change

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) is launching a contest of analytical articles on the topic of Data for Change. The goal of the contest is to encourage the use of open data to prepare analytical articles. Rules for participation and evaluation criteria: 1. Submitted analytical articles must be related to public policy and public finance in Georgia. Possible topics include management of public finances, public administration, local government, social issues, healthcare, crime statistics, education, environment, economics, finance. 2. Each participant may send several articles (preferably on different topics). 3. The main part of the article must be based on public data and its analysis. 4. The article must describe the author’s findings and analysis of important issues in Georgia. 5. The article must make use of database published on Datalab - www.datalab.ge, an open data laboratory created by IDFI. 6. Use of visualizations (e.g. graphs, diagrams, infographics, etc.) will be considered an advantage. 7. The article must be in Georgian. 8. The article should follow the following structure: Title; Cover page with information about the author: name, surname, date of birth); Key findings; Introduction; Main Body; Conclusion; and Bibliography / Annexes. 9. Technical specifications: the article must be submitted as a Word document; a number of pages: 2-5 (without graphs and annexes); font: Sylfaen, size - 12; line spacing - 1.15; and margin: Normal. 10. Any additional public information requested by the author from public institutions must be submitted together with the article. 11. The analysis included in the submitted article must belong to the author. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. 12. Articles that have already been published will not be accepted. How to find information for the article? - Browse databases on Georgia’s Open Data Platform (DataLab - www.datalab.ge); - Look for public information published on the websites of public institutions; - Request public information from specific public institutions. Contest prizes: First place – GEL 1,300; Second place – GEL 1,000; and Third place – GEL 800. Three best articles will be published on IDFI’s website (www.idfi.ge) and social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) with copyright protection. The deadline for submission is February 11, 2020. Articles may only be submitted electronically to contest@idfi.ge, by indicating ‘Data for Change’ in the subject line. For more information about the contest contact us between 10:00 - 19:00, from Monday to Friday: Tel: +995 32 2 921514 Email: contest@idfi.ge The contest is organized with the financial support of the International Visegrad Fund.

Application Deadline : 1 December 2019

Competition Title : Journalists and Activists for Good Governance – Contest of Analytical Articles

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) launched a contest of analytical and investigation articles: Journalists for Good Governance. The goal of the contest: encourage government oversight activities among journalists. Rules for participation and evaluation criteria: 1. Submitted Analytical articles, prepared in Georgian, must be related to possible wrongdoings and suspicious circumstances in the public sector. The specific topics of the article can be: - Possible wrongoings in public institutions, including state-owned enreprises, budget-funded organizations; - Incorrect and illegal disposal of public finances; - Cases of alleged corruption; - Abuse of power by public officials and activities incompatible with their position; - Violations in the public procurement sector; - Nepotism and conflict of interest in the public sector; - Actions against public interests. 2. Each participant may send several articles (on different topics) 3. The main part of the analytical article must be based on the processed public data and its analysis; 4. The analytical article must describe author’s findings and analysis of important issues in Georgia; 5. The article must follow the following structure: Title, Cover page with personal information about the author (name, surname), Key findings, Introduction, Main body, Conclusion, Bibliography/Annexes 6. Technical specifications of the article: - The article must be submitted as a Word document; - Number of pages: 2-5 pages (text, without graphs and annexes); - Font: Sylfaen, size- 12; - Line spacing - 1.15; - Margin: Normal. 7. Any additional public information requested by the author from public institutions must be submitted together with the article; 8. The analysis included in the submitted article must belong to the author. Plagiarism will result in disqualification; 9. Articles that have already been published will not be accepted. How to find information for an analytical article? - Look for information and reports published on websites of public institutions; - Browse datasets on Georgia’s Open Data Platform (DataLab – www.datalab.ge); - Request public information from specific public institutions. Contest prizes: - I place - $300 USD; - II place - $200 USD; - III place - $150 USD - The best 3 articles will be published on IDFI’s website (www.IDFI.ge) and social media pages (Facebooks; Twitter) with copyright protection. Deadline for submission of articles is November 10, 2019. Articles may only be submitted electronically to the following email: contest@idfi.ge by indicating - Contest of articles - in the subject line. For more information about the contest contact us between 10:00-19:00, from Monday to Friday: Tel: +995 32 2 921514 და/ან +995 599 500 137; Email: contest@idfi.ge The contest is organized with the financial support of the global charity organization, Luminate.

Application Deadline : 25 September 2019

Competition Title : Certificate Program in Fighting Corruption

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) together with Ilia State University is pleased to announce a call for the Certificate Program in Fighting Corruption. Program goal Program participants have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge about anticorruption themes as well as acquire practical skills in order to oppose corruption. Who is eligible? The Program is intended for students from authorized higher education institutions of Georgia, as well as persons employed in the public, private or non-governmental sectors. Program Description and Curriculum Certificate Program in Fighting Corruption is part of the international Anti-Corruption Interdisciplinary Studies Program. The study course consists of 8 modules: - Key concepts, ideas, theories & social scientific perspectives on corruption (political sciences, anthropology, sociology, psychology); - Legal aspects of corruption; - Anti-corruption policies in public institutions, business & NGOs, private corruption; - Good Governance; - E-governance in fighting corruption; - Corruption and politics; - How other countries have succeeded in combating corruption; - Modern whistleblowing and investigative journalism on corruption. Duration: Two semesters (October 7, 2019 – June 16, 2020). The duration of each module is 3 weeks (12 hours / 6 lectures). Lectures will take place twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays), in the evening 19:00 to 22:00 at Ilia State University. Program language: Georgian (most of the materials are in Georgian and English). The study employs interactive discussions based on practical and theoretical knowledge. Participants have the opportunity to work on practical cases, engage in discussion about various issues of their interest, and prepare essays. Trainers The Program includes Georgian professors as trainers, and local and international experts as speakers. Learn the detailed information on Trainers from here. Certificate - Module-level certificates will be provided to each participant upon completion of each module. - Program participant that attends at least 6 of 8 modules will receive a full course certificate. - After the successful completion of the Program, 10 best essays prepared by Program participants will be accepted for publication on Ilia State University and IDFI websites and social pages (Facebook and Twitter). - Two best performing participants will undergo an internship at IDFI. Alumni Network At the end of the Program, the Alumni Network will be created, which will bring together Program participants and foreign alumni of similar programs to sustain research plans, exchange programs and other relevant activities for the future. How to Apply - Interested applicants (students, representatives of civil service, business and non-governmental sector) are invited to submit the filled-in application form by September 25, 2019 and send their resume to the following Email: corruptionhunters@idfi.ge - Program participants will be selected based on their application. - Shortlisted candidates will be called at the second stage for the interview. The readiness of participants to fully comply with the requirements of the Program will be assessed during the interview. Selection Criteria Program participants will be selected through a competition: motivation, communication, effective teamwork and presentation skills. English (Intermediate Level) is preferable. The initiative is financially supported by Open Society Institute Budapest Foundation (OSI). The Program is implemented under the co-funding from Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF). For additional information, please contact: David Maisuradze Coordinator of the Educational Certification Program on Fighting Corruption Telephone: (+995 599) 577 11 45 22 E-mail: corruptionhunters@idfi.ge

Application Deadline : 31 March 2019

Competition Title : Intellectual Game for Students – What? Where? When? about Parliament

The Parliament of Georgia is holding a ‘What? Where? When?’ intellectual game for students with support from the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and in cooperation with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI). The aim of the game is to raise students’ awareness about the functions of the Parliament, parliamentary history in Georgia and other countries, and encourage their involvement in legislative processes. Who is Eligible? Amateur teams composed of Bachelor's and Master's students from the state and private higher educational institutions [students not on the ‘What? Where? When?’ professional players’ list]. Game Rules: 1. The format will be identical to those of a popular intellectual game – ‘What? Where? When? 2. Questions will concern the Parliaments of Georgia and other countries, the history of parliamentarism and prominent historic figures in this area. 3. Each higher educational institution is allowed to present a single team of 6 players. The team / the list of participants must be submitted by the higher educational institution. 4. The game consists of 2 rounds and 30 questions [15 per round]. 1 question equals 1 point. 5. The winner with the most correct answers wins the game. The game will end with 3 winner teams [I, II and III places] who, together with their higher educational institutes, will receive a cup and special gifts. How to register: 1. Higher educational institutions must fill out the attached form and indicate: - Name of the institute/university; - Team composition: names and surnames of players / students (6 people), their year and major; - Cell phone number and e-mail of the contact person from the educational institution 2. The completed form should be sent to contest@idfi.ge no later than 31 March 2019. 3. In the subject line, please indicate - What? Where? When? about Parliament? The game will be held in Tbilisi [the exact place of the event will be communicated to registered teams at a later date]. For more information about the competition, please contact us from Monday through Friday, 10:00 to 19:00 at: +995 32 2 92 15 14; +995 599 500 137

Application Deadline : 27 March 2019

Competition Title : Competition on Social Video Clip

Application Deadline : 16 September 2018

Competition Title : Call for Regional Civil Society Organizations from Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti & Adjara

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), in the framework of the Project PrIME - Promoting Prosecutorial Independence through Monitoring and Engagement - is announcing a call for regional CSOs from Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Adjara to monitor specific thematic directions envisioned in the Strategy and Action Plan of the Prosecutors Service in Georgia (PSG). PrIME is the European Union (EU) funded project led by IDFI together with its partner organizations - Caucasus Research Resource Center in Georgia (CRRC) and Studio Monitor. The goal of the PrIME Project is to support the increase of an external and internal independence of the Prosecution Service of Georgia for ensuring impartiality and fairness in the Georgian prosecution and investigation systems. For that purpose, IDFI and its partner organizations are working in four main directions: monitoring, media investigation, capacity building, and outreach and awareness. In the framework of this project, it is planned to select regional CSOs from Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Adjara regions. Selected organization will monitor specific thematic directions envisioned in the Strategy and Action Plan of the Prosecutors Service in Georgia (PSG). Scope of Work Selected regional CSOs shall conduct monitoring of activities of the specified parts of the Strategy and Action Plan of the Prosecutors Service of Georgia (PSG) on the local level according to the monitoring methodology provided by the IDFI. Selected regional CSOs shall also monitor court hearing on cases of violence against women (VaW) and hate crimes on the local level. Selected regional CSOs shall submit their monitoring reports to IDFI as per terms of the agreement. Representatives of the IDFI will visit selected regional CSOs in their respective regions and conduct targeted for the project trainings. For the duration of the project, IDFI shall supervise and when necessary, consult its regional partner organizations. Terms for participation Regional CSOs participating in the call shall: 1. Be covering Samgrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Ajdara regions in the frames of their work. Total of two CSOs will be selected through this call in the respective regions; 2. Be established for a minimum of three (3) years and have continued working experience in the last two (2) years (a minimum of 2 projects conducted or ongoing in the last two years); 3. Have the capacity to provide at least one candidacy for an expert position. An expert should have appropriate working experience in the field; 4. Have the necessary infrastructure (office setting: computer, internet, landline phone, etc.) for conducting the work envisioned by this project. Priority will be given to an organization that: 1. have working experience in regards to the institutional reforms of the prosecution service, or have working experience in the field of criminal law, in particular, have some experience in monitoring the cases of violence against women and hate crimes; 2. provide an expert, who has knowledge of the structure and scope of the work of the Prosecution Service, and/or legal background/legislative basis and knowledge of the Criminal Code in regards to the violence against women and hate crimes, as well as experience in monitoring state/public entities; 3. have experience in managing projects funded by international organizations; or 4. have experience in managing projects funded by the EU; A sub grant agreement will be signed by IDFI and selected regional CSOs. According to this agreement, IDFI will cover the costs of the work delivered by the selected CSOs. The approximate amount of the sub-grant is 5000 Euro, according/depending on the region. Application Procedure Interested organizations shall submit a filled out application in the form attached to this call and send at least two (2) resumes of the experts. Application should be sent to: vacancies@idfi.ge The deadline for submitting the application is: September 16, 2018. For further information, please, contact us at: +995 32 92 15 14 or e-mail: info@idfi.ge

Application Deadline : 15 April 2018

Competition Title : Data for Change – Contest of Analytical Articles

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) is launching a contest on analytical articles on the topic of Data for Change. The goal of the contest is to encourage the use open data to prepare analytical articles. Rules for participation and evaluation criteria: 1. Submitted analytical articles must be related to public policy and public finance in Georgia. Possibly topics include: public administration, local government, social issues, healthcare, crime statistics, education, environment, economics, finance, transport, society and geographical data. 2. Each participant may send several articles (preferably on different topics). 3. The main part of the article must be based on public data and its analysis. 4. The article must describe the author’s findings and analysis of important issues in Georgia. 5. The article must make use of database published on Datalab - www.datalab.ge, an open data laboratory created by IDFI. 6. Use of visualizations (e.g. graphs, diagrams, infographics, etc.) will be considered an advantage. 7. The article must be in Georgian. 8. The article should follow the following structure: Title; Cover page with information about the author: name, surname, date of birth); Key findings; Introduction; Main body; Conclusion; and Bibliography / Annexes. 9. Technical specifications: the article must be submitted as a Word document; number of pages: 2-5 (without graphs and annexes); font: Sylfaen, size - 12; line spacing - 1.15; and margin: Normal. 10. Any additional public information requested by the author from public institutions must be submitted together with the article. 11. The analysis included in the submitted article must belong to the author. Plagiarism will result in disqualification. 12. Articles that have already been published will not be accepted. How to find information for the article? - Browse databases on Georgia’s Open Data Platform (DataLab - www.datalab.ge); - Look for public information published on the websites of public institutions; - Request public information from specific public institutions. Contest prizes : First place – GEL 1,600; Second place – GEL 1,200; and Third place – GEL 900. Three best articles will be published on IDFI’s website (www.idfi.ge) and social media pages (Facebook and Twitter) with copyright protection. Deadline for submission is April 15, 2018. Articles may only be submitted electronically to: contest@idfi.ge, by indicating ‘Data for Change’ in the subject line. For more information about the contest contact us between 10:00 - 19:00, from Monday to Friday: Tel: +995 32 2 921514 Email: contest@idfi.ge The contest is organized with the financial support of the International Visegrad Fund and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Application Deadline : 31 March 2018

Competition Title : Youth Contest - Your Idea for Open Parliament!

The Parliament of Georgia is launching a youth contest - Your Idea for Open Parliament with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Program, and in cooperation with the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI). The contest aims to raise awareness of young people about open parliament and to initiate commitments submitted by them for the 2018-2019 Open Parliament Action Plan. The contest enables young people to participate in the activities of the Parliament of Georgia and share their ideas about what the Parliament should do to become more accountable, transparent and open to citizen engagement. Who can participate in the contest? Students below the age of 26 enrolled in Bachelor or Master’s programs of any higher education institution in Georgia. Terms of Participation: 1. Participants must submit ideas about Parliamentary commitments for the third, 2018-2019 Open Parliament Action Plan; 2. The main purpose of the submitted ideas must be ensuring citizen engagement, accountability, access to information and transparency in legislative processes, and the use of new technologies and innovations to ensure parliamentary openness; 3. Each participant may submit several ideas; 4. Submitted ideas must not coincide with any existing and / or current commitments of the Parliament of Georgia (See 2015-2016 and 2017 Open parliament Action Plans). 5. The submission must include a clear description of the commitment and its purpose; 6. The submission must be made in Georgian and must not exceed 300 words. Contest Prize - unique opportunity to be involved in parliamentary activities - Selected applicants will be invited to attend a meeting with the Permanent Parliamentary Council on Open and Transparent Governance and its Consultative Group to present their ideas; - Ideas that are deemed best may be included in the 2018-2019 Open Parliament Action Plan; - Authors of these ideas will have the opportunity to participate in open parliament meetings and events; - Authors of 3 best ideas will be able to attend the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit held in Tbilisi on 17-19 July 2018, which will bring together over 3,000 participants from 70 countries. Submissions must be sent to: contest@idfi.ge with the subject line ‘Youth Contest’ until March 31, 2018. The submission must include the applicant’s name, surname and contact information (phone number and e-mail). An information session for the interested participants will be held on 26 February 2018, 12:00-14:00 pm, at Fabrika conference hall. For more information about the contest, contact us from Monday through Friday, 10:00 to 19:00: Email: contest@idfi.ge FB Message: https://www.facebook.com/IDFI.official Tel: +995 32 2 92 15 14; and / or +995 599 500 137

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