This document summarizes a project in Georgia that aims to support media literacy. The project will open 10 informational centers in the Guria region that provide access to computers, the internet, newspapers, books and television. The centers target rural populations, especially teenagers and pensioners. The goals are to increase civic engagement, support media development, and popularize the idea of media literacy. The centers will distribute information and encourage debate on topics like agriculture, healthcare and social issues. The organizers hope to expand the network of centers to more regions of Georgia over time.

1. Supporting media Literacy in Georgia
Georgian Development Research Institute, Organization Pst-Alioni and Georgian Press
Distribution Association.
The Project Description
The Project includes opening informational-educational centers country-wide for Popularization
of Printed and Electronic media, supporting media and providing the access to the modern
technologies in the field; delivering the information to the society, involving the society in the
processes and enhancing the means of getting qualified consultation – as well as developing the
civil journalism and raising the media education in the society especially for the younger
generation.
About our selves:
Established in 2011, the Georgian Development Research Institute (GDRI) is an independent,
non-profit policy think tank dedicated to helping improve public policy decision-making in
Georgia through research and analysis, and public education about the strategic issues, both
domestic and international, facing Georgia. GDRI activities are aimed at promoting democracy
and fostering political, economic and social reforms.
The Problem Description:
• Poor social conditions – population cannot afford to buy books, newspapers or pay for
the internet as an alternative for food.
• Only state controlled TV stations are accessible. The is no excess to the independent
channels.
• Poor interactive relations between officials, civil organizations, media and the population.
• Lack of efficient system press distribution, administrative pressure, not sufficient
development of the business.
• Deteriorated situation for literacy - no more libraries and cultural centers.
• Failure of the state introduced projects “Milky Way” and “Iakob Gogebashvili” as a
result failure of the state conceptual thinking and slowing down democratic development.
Target Groups:
The project is designed mostly for the rural population starting from the teenage up to
pensioners.

2. Implementation Ways:
During the first stage 10 media-centers will be opened in the Guria region. The offices will be
provided with the computers as well as with the internet access. Subscriptions will be organized
for the major newspapers, books and magazines will be distributed. The centers will be provided
with the wide range of television packages. On the further stages we hope to enhance our work
country-wide.
The Expected Results
 Rising public inclusion;
 Supporting media development;
 Popularization of the idea of media literacy;
 Diversifying the new means to accessing the media – especially for the younger
generation.
 Creating free bilateral informational field;
 Better journalism for the better citizen!
How and where do we start?
• There were established 10 media centers in Guria region. Chokhatauri – Erketi,
Bukistsikhe, Kokhnari, and Ozurgeti: Askana, Makvaneti, Natanebi, Dzidzmity,
Lanchkhuty: Supta, Gvimbalaury, and Qviani. Statistics: Chokhatauri – 23 villages,
Lanchkhuti – 16, Ozurgeti – 29. All together 68 villages and towns.
• Selection criteria: non politically engaged, active, solid image, communicative,
minimal technological skills;
• Our Management: identifying target user participants – training (technological skills)
blogging, soliciting, coordinating, equipping with necessary items, providing with printed
material, legal advise, promoting cooperation with the authorities;
• Technical assistance: Computers (printer, scanner etc.) internet facilities, access to
available TV packages, satellite antenna facilities; covering expanses;
• Target audience: information curious persons, different age groups - youth, pensioners
and others; “Hot” topics (agriculture, health care, education, social security, insurance,
credits, economics etc.) – persons interested in those data.

3. • Duties: doors are open for everybody, comfortable environment for all the opinions,
internet services, Tele-club, Tele-criticism, transforming an ordinary citizen into
journalist, let me express my opinion, supplying with news newspapers, subscribing for
the desirable additions, facilitating building of mini-libraries.
That’s interesting
While working with media centers we plan:
• Information should be available for all interested residents of the rural regions.
• Our partner organizations will be providing the centers with newspapers, magazines,
books etc.
• Interactive relations.
• Organizing meetings, discussions, round tables and other democratic inclusive activities;
• Consultations on the legal issues: environment protection, human rights and so on;
• meetings with interesting people;
• Mobilizing population for solving different community problems;
• Civil monitoring of the local self-governance;
• Promoting Healthy competition – contests, exhibitions etc.;
• Receiving more information from the ground.
How do we develop?
• The project is open for everybody – international and local organizations;
• State sector
• Media
• Business community
• Voluntaries
The report presented to the population in case of successful experience sharing it with other and
enlarging the network.
The third stage – embracing all regions of Georgia.

4. What do we offer?
• Ready made and operating network;
• Interactive relation with the population;
• Improvement of sectoral cooperation
• Target audience for state and civil programs
• Providing newspapers, magazines, and books, results of the researches, documentaries,
journalistic investigation and other information in a quick efficient and targeted direction.
• Popularization and promotion of such activities
• Mobilizing community members on the ground
• Opportunity to assist new media development
• Access of the genuine information from the ground
And the unique chance to find each other!
Additional information available on the web-pages:
www.gdri.ge
www.post-alioni.ge (under construction)