During the past three years, the IKA Association has established a partnership with Italy and various Italian civil society organizations, particularly with the Center for Research and Volunteering of the City of Capitanata, Ce.S.eVo.Ca, situated in Foggia, Italy. Antonio Fusco, the coordinator of the international public service project "The Helping Hands," has provided invaluable assistance in facilitating our relationship with the Italian organization. Despite a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the project initiated by the Italian organization has finally commenced in Tbilisi, Georgia, in collaboration with our organization.

The Italian research and volunteering center Ce.S.eVo.Ca has been implementing projects in different countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Lithuania) for many years:

"We have committed to supporting these countries until they join the European Union. We hope that this will happen for Georgia as well, and we extend a warm welcome to them as they become part of the big family of the European community. The implementation of this project in Georgia, along with the cooperation and friendship between Italy and Georgia, as well as the arrival of Italian volunteers, holds immense importance to us. We would like to dedicate this project to the Georgian people who currently reside in Italy. Their numbers reach approximately 30,000, with 18,272 registered individuals, and around 5,000 in our region of Puglia, of which 3,596 have regular status. Furthermore, we extend our dedication to all the citizens of Tbilisi, its authorities, the association IKA, its president Maya, and the people with disabilities of Tbilisi. We also hold a special place in our hearts for the memory of Maya's son, Irakli, who eagerly anticipated our arrival but, unfortunately, could not witness it.

In honor of Irakli, who was an active and valued member of the association, we have initiated a new project called "For You, Irakli." Our goal extends beyond the implementation of the first project, as we are committed to its continual development and strengthening in the upcoming years. We aim to bring more volunteers from Italy to the city of Tbilisi and foster active cooperation with the local authorities, Tbilisi Municipality Hall, and local volunteer associations. Let's work together in organizing meetings, planning new initiatives, projects, and activities. Together, we can achieve great things! Our objective is to build an ideal bridge of solidarity between Italy and Georgia, not only through the exchange of best practices, which we are currently engaged in, but also by working hand in hand to construct a fairer, more united, and inclusive society." - Antonio Fusco.

In collaboration with Tbilisi City Hall, one of our initial projects focused on familiarizing ourselves with successful practices for individuals with disabilities in other European countries. Our research and study encompassed social policy, legislation, and particularly emphasized national and local social policies as well as the social services provided to individuals with disabilities. Alongside our research efforts, we organized and hosted a bilateral international online conference in September 2022, titled "Practices of Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Georgia and Italy." This conference witnessed the participation of experts, representatives from state institutions, and civil society members from both Georgia and Italy. The primary objective of the online conference was to showcase municipal and social services available for people with disabilities in both Georgia and Italy. During the conference, participants had the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the social policy, services, experiences, work methods, and successful practices related to individuals with disabilities in the two countries.

Indeed, the conference served as a platform for the exchange of experiences, cooperation, and information between the two countries. Participants had the opportunity to share their knowledge, insights, and best practices related to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. It facilitated a valuable exchange of ideas and fostered collaboration between Georgia and Italy in the field of social services and policies for people with disabilities.

During the conference, the Mayor of Lucera – Giuseppe Pitta – welcomed the participants from Italy and Georgia and added: "I want to thank the Tbilisi municipal administration, the members of the municipality, the city of Tbilisi, and all the participants of the conference. I would like to convey my warm greetings and thank the Mayor of Tbilisi, Mr. Kakha Kaladze. In addition, I would like to thank all those who have worked and will continue to work for the success of the extraordinary cooperation between these two countries. I hope we will create a bridge of friendship, tourism, inclusion, and good practice that can bring our peoples and territories closer together through mutual growth."

Furthermore, as part of the collaboration between our Association and the Italian volunteering and research center, our organization began hosting Italian volunteers. In 2022, we recruited three volunteers from Italy who are actively contributing to our organization. This project marks the first implementation of such an initiative in Georgia through our partnership with the Italian organization. The Italian volunteers, along with the Italian center, played a crucial role in organizing the online conference. I would like to express my gratitude to my friend Antonio Fusco, the coordinator of foreign projects at Ce.S.eVo.Ca, for his assistance, and extend thanks to our Italian volunteers, Davide, Debora, and Alberto. We are also grateful to Tbilisi City Hall for their support.

In November 2023, a small delegation from our organization had the opportunity to visit Rome, Foggia, and Lucera, Italy, at the invitation of the Italian Center for Volunteering and Research Ce.S.eVo.Ca. The visit was organized by our Italian counterparts and included a meeting with the mayor of Lucera, Giuseppe Pita, as well as representatives from the municipality. During this meeting, we were introduced to Italy's social policies and their expressed desire to foster a strong bond of friendship and cooperation between Italy and Georgia. The main purpose of our visit was to familiarize ourselves with successful municipal services catering to individuals with disabilities, particularly in Italy. As part of the visit, we had the opportunity to meet with the municipality and local service provider organizations that had experience in assisting people with various disabilities. Additionally, we had productive discussions with experts in the field, further enriching our knowledge and understanding.  

We visited various centers and organizations in Italy, where we had the opportunity to learn about successful Italian practices, social services, and municipal programs available for people with disabilities. During our visit, we had the privilege of meeting representatives from the "I Diversabili" organization, through which we gained insights into their work and the methods they employ when working with individuals facing intellectual and mental challenges. At the organization's premises, we observed several workshops where participants engage in activities such as souvenir production, aiming to enhance their independent life skills. We were also introduced to a chocolate production laboratory within the same organization, where individuals with intellectual disabilities are employed. This enterprise operates with support from both the local municipality and international sources. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to visit an art gallery showcasing the works of people with disabilities. Additionally, we also learned about the activities carried out by a social project center and a meeting club specifically catering to the elderly.

We were deeply impressed by the Center for Independent Living and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, established by the organization "Associazione iFun," which is a parents organization of children on autism spectrum. Our visit represented the meeting between two parents' organizations, which shared valuable insights and experiences regarding Italian and Georgian social services. The center itself is housed in a spacious building, housing numerous workshops and even plots of land dedicated to teaching individuals with disabilities agricultural skills in addition to their handicraft work. The comprehensive approach taken by the organization left a lasting impression on us, as they not only provided employment opportunities but also fostered independent living for people with disabilities.

During our visit, we seized the opportunity to engage with experts and researchers specializing in disabilities at the University of Foggia. We were fortunate to participate in an international conference focused on the "Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and Social Services." This conference proved to be a significant event for our organization, as it provided valuable insights into Italian social services tailored to individuals with disabilities.

The collaboration with the Italian Center for Volunteering and Research Ce.S.eVo.Ca serves as a means to strengthen our organization's international relations and foster the development of international projects. Through this collaboration, Italian volunteers actively participate in a wide range of activities within our organization, including research, advocacy, and the establishment of international relationships. Their involvement plays a crucial role in advancing our organizational goals and expanding our global reach.  

Together, we will build a solid bridge of solidarity, advocacy and friendship between Italy and Georgia.