Public Information Centre "Alternative"

Founded: October, 1997
Staff: Irene Tsintsadze, Tamuna Bregvadze, George
International Partner(s): OCSE, OSGF (Open Society-Georgian Foundation), Caucasus Links, Eurasia Foundation, USIS (United State Information Service), British Embassy, Horizonti, ICCC, Caucasian Institute for Peace,Democracy and Development,Studio �Re�, Institute of democracy in Eastern Europe, UNOCHA, HCAGC, Delegation of the European union, OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights, INTENEWS, Erevan press-club, Baku press-club.

 MISSION  STATEMENT
The  Public-Information  Center Alternative,a non-profit, non-governmental organization (Tbilisi, Georgia) was  established  in October, 1997. The main goal of which is to develop innovative public policy through media and NGO strategies to build a movement for social changes in Georgia (N.I.S.) and South Caucasus region, supporting a nonviolent approach to the management of conflicts and creation of just and peaceful alternatives.
PRIORITY  AREAS
Key  elements  of  the P.I.C. Alternative include:
 � Contribution  to  the development of democratic  institutions, NGO and independent Mass Media in  Georgia and in South Caucasus in a whole;
 � Supporting the work  of NGO sector and Mass Media in conflict zones and areas of tension (where minorities are geographicaly concentrated).
 � Creation  of an  integrated  information  space  for Georgia and for South Caucasus region in general;
 � Conflict prevention in Georgia and in South Caucasus region in general through NGO and Mass Media strategies.
A LIST OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 
 The P.I.C "Alternative" is governed through the Board of Directors consisting of the following persons:
 � David  Imedashvili--- Head of the Board
 � Helen  Cagareli-Chairman in Board 
 � Irene Tsintsadze-Chairman in Board
 � David  Qiphiani---- Chairman in Board
 � Tamuna Bregvadze---Chairman in Board 
ADVISORY COMMITEE
 � Mr. David Losaberidze - The Caucasin Institute for Peace, Democracy and     Development (Chairman in Board, Project Director, Head of the Structures Research Group)
 � Mr. Alexander Russetski - Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (Committee of Georgia) (Head of the Board)  
 � Erosi Kicmarishvili - Founder of TV company "Rustavi 2"
 � Mr. Valeri  Nanobashvili - ITIC (International Telecommunication and Information Center (Head of the Board)
 � Mr. Zviad Koridze - Founder of newspaper "Sakartvelos Gazeti" ( Georgian Newspaper)
 � Mr. David Kikaleishvili - INTERNEWS, Producer of Program "Kvira" 
EXPEREANSE IN GRANT MANAGEMENT
In  November  22, 1997 there was an agreement signed with Gori  and Tskhinvali information centers on co-operation and partnership at the fifth round table organized by O.C.S.E. 
 The  projects, which are currently implemented by this integrated body,  aim to enable Tbilisi, Gori and Tskhinvali P.I.C.s to take an active part in Georgian -Osethian conflict resolution process. 
The  list of current projects  of  P.I.C.  "Alternative include:
 1. "Creation of Public  Information Centers  in Gori, Tskhinvali and Tbilisi in  terms  of the  conflict  resolution  process." (OSGF grant -- $15 530).
 The  project  aims  to provide Gori, Tbilisi  and Tskhinvali  offices  with all the necessary  equipment.      
 2. "Public  Information Centers in Gori, Tskhinvali and Tbilisi in  terms  of the  conflict  resolution  process." (Eurasia  Foundation -- $24966).
  The  project  includes training  courses  for  journalists, daily information exchange, public  opinion  polls and expert review on  the  conflict  issue. 
 3. "Publishing of special bulletins on the conflict issue." - (USIS -- $9 900)
 4. Information support to Georgian-Ossetian conflict resolution process- (TACIS $10 000) 
FUTURE  PLANS
� The  P.I.C. intends  to strengthen  the structure and operational capacity  of Tbilisi, Gori  and Tskhinvali  offices.
 � During the negotiation process all the three offices  will  keep  functioning  as a  structure  capable of playing a role in political lobbing  and  information  work.
 � After the final definition of legal status of South Osethia, Tbilisi, Gori  and Tskhinvali  P.I.C.s will  offer  trainings  and continuing support  to journalists and co-ordinate the work of Mass Media and NGO sector in both regions.
Activities envisaged include:
 Establishment of integrated information network, common database, staff exchange  and creation of joint projects, sharing the experience with other regions of Georgia and South Caucasus region in general.
  CONFERENCES  AND  ROUND  TABLES ATTENDED:
NDI - Lobbing to the Govermenment;
 BBC - menegement of radio;
 Erevan press-club - Mass Media and elections;
 Erevan press-club - Mass media in democratic society;
 Erevan press-club - Press low;
 Erevan press-club - Workiong with press-centres;
 INTERNEWS - Menegement of advertising;
 Fridrih Ebberth foundation - German and Georgian journalists joint workshop;
 Eurasia foundation - Grantees meeting;
 VERTIC- The problems  of  Mass.Media   in  the TransCaucasus  region;
 VERTIC-The  role of democratic  society   in conflicts' prevention  and  resolution in the Transcausian  region;
 Transcaucasian  Dialog;
 Erevan centre  for peace and development- Round Table-Creation of democratic  society inArmenia  and Georgia;
 Erevan press-club - menegement of independent Mass Media;
 Erevan press-club - Ethical and legal normas in journalizm;
 Horizonti foundation - Need accessment of georgian NGOs working on human rights issues;
 Eurasia foundation Regional conferention Sinergy Programe; 
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 OSCE-Round  Table  for Georgian and Osethian journalists;
 

Last updated:    April 1999

A print version of much of the information contained in this NIS Third Sector Organizations section can be found in the The Post-Soviet Handbook (Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1999).

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