On January 18, Business and Economic Centre (BEC) organized the second training in Akhaltsikhe region in cooperation with the international organization “Mercy Corps” and with the financial support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Aim of the second training was to develop and strengthen lobby group capacity and accordingly, the targeted audience was representatives from lobby groups, created in Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki, Adigeni and Aspindza municipalities.

Participants discussed the following issues:

-    Form of effective communication;
-    Steps in the public policy making process and involvement of civil society in policy making process;

During the training, lobby group representatives had discussion on different issues, expressed their ideas and views on agriculture reforms and legislative changes: except the theoretical materials, they made the practical exercises on both issues and at the end of the training they had meeting imitation.

According to the project, the final meeting should take place in Tbilisi, in Business and Economic Centre at the end of January, which will be attended by the Members of Parliament and international organizations working in agriculture sector. Lobby Group members will be the main reporters and speak about the problems facing the farmers in their municipalities.