The Citizens Advocate! Program (CAP) – was a coalition project of the six Georgian and one US Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), supported by the US Agency for International Development. The program had been implemented from 2002 to 2005 and aimed at strengthening CSO development in Georgia so that they could better promote citizens’ interests and effectively advocate their cause.  

CAP was jointly implemented and managed by the Save the Children, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, the United Nations Association of Georgia, Partners Georgia, Caucasian Center for Peace, Democracy and Development, Center for Strategic Research and Development, Civil Society Institute, and Civil Development Center “Alternative”.

Objectives of CAP were to:

• Strengthen and improve issue-based advocacy
• Increase institutional and financial viability of CSOs
• Improve the legal framework and regulatory environment for CSOs
• Promote citizen participation in CSOs’ activities and increase public awareness

A key feature of CAP was the active participation of coalition member organizations in implementation of the program. The coalition members share a common vision of the needs of Georgian civil society. They brought complementary skills and expertise, ranging from supporting public dialogue, media outreach and information dissemination to policy and legal analysis, training and grassroots mobilization.

CAP was guided by the Advocacy Steering Committee (ASC), composed of Save the Children and the six Georgian partner CSOs. The partnership culminated in the formation of the Civic Initiative Center (CIC), a coordinating network for nongovernmental organizations engaged in democratic development of civil society in Georgia.

More information on Citizens Advocate! Program