Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT” awarded the winners of the contest “the best member of Sakrebulo” in Khulo, Shuakhevi, Keda, Khelvachauri and Kobuleti municipalities. The winners of “the Best member of Sakrebulo” contest are: Jumber Dimitradze in Khulo municipality, Phati Chaghalidze in Shuakhevi, Vazha Bolkvadze in Keda, Teimuraz Dumbadze – Khelvachauri and Vitali Qartsivadze in Kobuleti municipality.
The contest was organized within the project “communities for democratic elections”, in the scope of the monitoring mission of Sakrebulos in Khulo, Shuakhevi, Keda, Khelvachauri and Kobuleti municipalities with the support of EU.

“I was granted the trust by population, I must pay it back!“

The winner of the contest in Khulo municipality is the head of Juridical, Mandate and Procedural Commission – Jumber Dimitradze. Previously he has worked for NGO sector. He made his debut in 2010 in Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT”, when he worked as an educator in his own Agara community and instructed the co-residents on civil education. He says that “the path, he has chosen, is of utmost integrity. “

Mr. Dimitradze says, that he made the decision about participating in the self-government based on the existing circumstances and is directed to a specific objective: “make positive changes in my community”. In general, the self-governing system is not  refined in relation to villages so, our team has decided to change something for the good and contribute to the development of our village.
Sakrebuli is just the way I had imagined before being elected. I had worked with Sakrebulo earlier, and tried to make positive changes, but… We have many novelties in Sakrebulo. There are programs and projects that never existed before and are directed to rising public awareness about self-government and civic society. “
Mr. Dimitradze publicly signed the „the declaration of good management” prepared by the Young Scientists Union. “The signing of the declaration is the act of acknowledging the responsibility in  respect to voters. When you take the position, you feel the responsibility, but when you sign the document – it’s double responsibility” – he noticed.
The winner of Khulo municipality has participated in various projects organized by “INTELLECT”: he acted as a community educator, attended the pre-election trainings by “INTELLECT” and met with the electorate together with competitors. Later he signed the “Good Management Declaration” and after being elected by the majority prepared his first report. The last activity he participated in was the contest to become the winner. “I didn’t expect to be selected as the “best member of Sakrebulo”… All 28 Sakrebulo members are active and goal-oriented. I’m very happy! This victory is the stimulus for future activeness. I would like to thank Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT” for the tremendous work in the development of self-governance in the region. I wish them success in implementing other similar projects” – said the winner during the ceremony.
Mr. Dimitradze intends to continue cooperation with “INTELLECT” in the future: “I’m sure all members of Sakrebulo will take part in your projects with pleasure, because they are very interesting and will be helpful to any member! “

“When I leave the Sakrebulo, I plan to develop agricultural sector“

The winner of the contest in Shuakhevi municipality, based on the monitoring of the Sakrebulos of self-governments is - Phati Chaghalidze“.

Ms. Phati Chaghalidze is the only female member of the Shuakhevi Sakrebulo:  “I am the only female member in the Sakrebulo and other members are very respectful to me. Female intuition is also different… Men are very emotional and rougher.  But when I am nearby, all rudeness disappears!“
She says that the pre-election activities were hard, but not impossible: “It was very hard for a woman to meet and talk with the community electorate… however, I didn’t fear it. I was sure that the residents would support me, but also prepared myself for the defeat. I thought about all this a lot, what if I couldn’t justify the hopes of people…still I am a woman, you know…and Shuakhevi is mountainous... I tried my best to inform the voters on what could be done. I didn’t promise anything. I told them I would be a good mediator between the population and the government“
She asks herself very often: what can I do? Why are not the problems solved? Before taking the office she thought that all problems could be solved for the population, now she acknowledges that it is impossible. One problem is followed by the second one, the third one and so it continues infinitely... She wanted to do more for women, mothers…She thinks that “the biggest success for our country and our municipality will be the educated society.” So, almost every day she agitates the students and parents for better education. I am upset that some of the very smart children cannot afford higher education and just say “I can’t study”. So she tries to inform them about the scholarships, the ways to get them, the faculties and the universities that require the least scores in the national examination. “Besides infrastructural and other activities, I actively work in this direction: have as many students as possible and later an educated society – young generation“.
It’s not a surprise that unemployment is one of the biggest problems in municipalities. Phati Chaghalidze thinks that the problems can be solved by developing agriculture: “after taking the office I could see that we can create the jobs ourselves. The ministry of agriculture has many different programs that can create jobs. I can bring an example of village Matskvalta, where a local farmer made a mini farm. There are international organizations that finance any perspective business plan. Bee-keeping, fruit farming, animal farming, viticulture, nut farming can be developed in Shuakhevi.  If these branches develop, the villages will not empty. The local government can help by fixing the roads. This will make the transportation of goods easier. I call those who voted for me to think about the development of agriculture. When I leave the office, I will continue teaching, but will also try to work in the agriculture.”
Ms. Chaghalidze considers cooperation with NGOs very important: “The cooperation between the local self-governments and NGOs is always successful. Recently I had a problem with selecting a priority within the village program. The votes divided 50/50. I recalled the problem identification method by your organization and offered it to the community:  I will invite the workers from Young Scientists “INTELLECT” and they will explain and advise better and respectively help with a better solution. At the end, we used the method offered by “INTELLECT”.”
The contest “The Best Member of Sakrebulo” by “INTELLECT” is evaluated by Chaghalidze positively and thinks that this kind of contests increase the motivation of Sakrebulo members: “Motivation is important everywhere and everything”. Holding the title of “the best member of Sakrebulo” would encourage any member of Sakrebulo. All deputies are motivated to work for their people, but to become more competitive in the contest, they prepare a new initiative, meet with people more often…”
What will be the deed of Phati Chaghalidze in Khuakhevi municipality and her own community? – “We have planned several infrastructural activities in the community, among them, building the community administrative building (budget of 108 000 GEL), building Janivri school (which had burnt down), rehabilitation of Brili electric transmitter system (it is going to be community magisterial line). We are acting as an intermediary between “EnergoPro” and forestry agency, because during the construction of the transmitters, some areas are disforested.” Ms. Chaghalidze thinks that “this was the preparation year for me and in the end I will be able to do much more than during these 7-8 months-period.”
For her the status of “the Best member of Sakrebulo” was unexpected: “I feel the happiest today! I didn’t think I’d be the winner of the contests… I would like to thank the Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT” for everything it has done to support the Sakrebulos of municipalities and increase the motivation of members of Sakrebulos. I will try my best to justify the status of “the best members of Sakrebulo” and do a lot more for my voters and residents of Shuakhevi municipality.”

“I want to do more for my people…”

The Sakrebulo of Keda municipality has a distinct member from UNM - Vazha Bolkvadze who is the head of the fraction with the same name as his party. In Khulo he was the winner of the contest “the best member of Sakrebulo” by Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT”. We can say that in his Sakrebulo, he is the only member who, besides other activities, has initiatives and intention to solve various problems. Before each session he prepares himself, reads the laws that correspond with the issues of sessions and and brings arguments to support his ideas. As he says, he is often accused of non-stop talking, but despite this he does not restrain himself and takes his responsibilities as a member of Sakrebulo very seriously.

Vazha Bolkvadze is an agronomist. First he appeared during “soviet times” in agricultural union. He started his political career in 1995 after becoming the head of “Citizens’ Union of Georgia” Keda regional organization. In 1999 he moved to Russia. He supported his family by manual labor. In 2003 after the Rose Revolution he came back to Georgia and joined the political movement.  Now he is the member of United National Movement.
After the Rose Revolution Vazha Bolkvadze was appointed as the deputy head in the municipality Gamgeoba and later he became the first deputy. In 2008 he was elected as the member of Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. He managed the committee of agriculture and self-government. In 2012, October 3, (In 1 October, 2012, the government of Georgia was changed through elections) Mr. Bolkvadze was elected as the head of Keda municipality Sakrebulo, where he worked for 11 months and 6 days. Since 2014 he is the member of local Sakrebulo and the head of fraction.
“When you are a head of municipality (Gamgebeli), the workload is enormous. But when you are the member of Sakrebulo, to do the job is more difficult. It’s harder for me to work on the position. I want to do more for my people, but I’m in an opposition and it’s even more difficult.  I served my people for 10 years, I know all families…So, I try to initiate something in Sakrebulo, but because I’m in opposition, the majority doesn’t support me,” – says Mr. bolkvadze. He plans to contribute in self-government and want to help those suffering from the earthquake in 2012.
Vazha Bolkvadze is positive about becoming “the best member of Sakrebulo”. He did not expect he would win in the contests: “I’m surprised… Because I’m the minority in Sakrebulo so I didn’t expect to become the winner. I want to thank “INTELLECT” for this surprise, for fairness and for big interest in the development of self-governments and motivation of deputies in Ajara Region!”

“In 2-3 years we should not have villages where cars cannot reach!”

From Khelvachauri municipality the winner of the contest “the best member of Sakrebulo” is the member of “United National Movement” – Teimuraz Dumbadze. He has become the member of Sakrebulo for the first time. In 2010 on the local self-government elections he was elected as the member of the Sakrebulo, but then he was elected as Gamgebeli and thus could not work as a deputy.

Teimuraz Dumbadze thinks that “the role of a deputy is very interesting, if you take your responsibility honestly. It is harder to work for people when you hold a position of Gamgebeli, because you directly face the problem and try to solve it. Of course, deputy also faces problems but mainly it’s up to executive to solve it. So, I can say straight, working as Gamgebeli and as executive is more difficult.”
Mr. Dumbadze tries to use his time in the best way and solve important problems of voters. “In 2-3 years’ time we must not have villages where cars cannot get”. His priorities are issues connected with lands of Khelvachauri, social security issues. He hopes that “after leaving the office, I will be fair to myself and people”.
Mr. Teimuraz Dumbadze is satisfied with the cooperation with Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT”: “I am satisfied because, your organization has done a lot for professional advancement of our collegues. You’ve held many trainings and supported the officials to master their practices.  I liked your project which promoted accountability of deputies toward the population…”
Mr. Dumbadze recalled the same contests by “INTELLECT” back in 2010 and said: “I remember that the winner, that time ,was the member of the opposition party. After that many deputies have tried to actively participate in the discussions during the sessions. This kind of activeness is fruitful, because it raises motivation among deputies and they try to activate themselves to solve different kinds of problems and to take part in decision-making.”
Winning the title of “the Best Member of Sakrebulo was very unexpected to Mr. Dumbadze: “Today’s decision is very surprising to me. I didn’t think I could win in the contest. Holding the title is very honoring and bears a burden of responsibility to voters and obliges to do a lot for Khelvachauri municipality, starting from initiation of positive moves to the resolution of problems. I want to thank Young Scientists Union “INTELLECT” for such an interesting surprise."

“I will try to be the “best member of Municipality”

In the Sakrebulo of Kobuleti municipality the title of “the best member of Sakrebulo” was given to Vitali Kartsivadze. It is his first time as the member of Sakrebulo, which appears different from what he expected: “To know everything about how Sakrebulo works, you have to be its member. Knowing the legal aspects written on papers is just not enough to make things work practically. The reality in the Sakrebulo is very different, but not catastrophic.” Mr. Kartsivadze thinks that “being a deputy by the majoritarian vote is difficult. One must acknowledge from the very beginning that he/she is accountable toward the population. Then who have a chance to succeed… During my mandate I want the population to feel and face a better reality. Maybe the choice and expectations of the population are not reflected in the current state of the municipality, but I promise that I and all members of municipality try selflessly to work on making a better reality for all of us.”

Vitali Kartsivadze considers the cooperation with NGO sector as vital. “NGOs have detailed programs on strengthening the Sakrebulos of municipalities, so that activities by us are more effective. Therefore the cooperation is beneficial for us. “
“Any person, whether the member of Sakrebulo or not, is always happy to be praised for the good things he/she does.  The body that does it - NGO or the government - is of minor importance. The contests is encouraging and raises motivation,” – this is the argument Mr. Kartsivadze uses to strengthen the meaning of the contest by the monitoring of Sakrebulos implemented by “INTELLECT”.
Winning the contest was surprising to Mr. Kartsivadze: “I didn’t expect I’d win the title of “the best member of Sakrebulo”. I’m very happy to be given the status… I will try my best to be “the best member of Sakrebulo” and hold the title with pride and dignity. Thank you, “INTELLECT!"

«««