6-10 May, ISET Policy Institute visited Brussels, Belgium. The purpose of the tour was to foster knowledge exchange, establish connections, and learn from leading think tanks in the field of policy research and development. The delegation included Director Tamar Sulukhia, Deputy Director Teona Khaindrava, Lead Economists Salome Gelashvili and Giorgi Papava, Deputy Head of Practice Davit Keshelava, Head of Communications Sopha Gujabidze, and Head of the Business Development Unit Nino Loladze.

The study examines challenges to Georgia’s economic and democratic development that accompany growing presence of Russian business ownership in the country; and seeks to heighten awareness among key stakeholders (i.e. government, civil society organizations, development partners) and the Georgian public regarding the associated risks and threats.

The Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) of the programme Plant the Future was conducted by the ISET Policy Institute (ISET-PI) as part of its collaboration with UN Women within the scope of the project “Regulatory Impact Assessment and Gender Impact Assessment for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Georgia”.

The gender impact assessment (GIA) is an equality tool that helps assess the gendered impact of different policies, programmes and services. It provides technical knowledge to enhance public sector organizations, think tanks and international development organizations to create gender-responsive and equitable programmes.

Adopted in 2000 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Maternity Protection Convention (C183) set the minimum standards that need to be implemented worldwide in order for pregnant women and working mothers to be adequately protected in the labour market. Since its adoption, 39 countries have ratified the Convention. Georgia, an ILO member since 1993, has not yet done so.