Georgia

Shelter City in Tbilisi, Georgia was founded in 2016 by the Center for Participation and Development in partnership with Truth Hounds with the aim of providing temporary relocation and rehabilitation to human rights defenders at risk. Since then, Shelter City in Georgia has expanded to include three Shelter Cities in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Telavi.

The three Georgian cities provide safe spaces to defenders from Central Asia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and the Caucasus region. The country’s diverse culture, beautiful natural environment, vibrant civic society, and easily accessible travel conditions make Georgia an inspiring and safe space for human rights defenders.

Our support

Rest and re-energize

Shelter City in Georgia provides human rights defenders at risk with a safe and recreational environment where they can reconnect with themselves, rest, and re-energize for future challenges. Georgia’s hospitable and relaxed atmosphere, with colorful architecture, serene seaside, delicious cuisine, and flourishing nature is a perfect place for rehabilitation and regaining strength.

Tailored support and capacity-building

Our team creates a tailored support plan for each human rights defender on their arrival. During their stay, defenders receive physical and psychological care, security, and fundraising training, and can choose to take part in activities such as language and driving courses. We ensure that the defenders have all their needs met throughout their rehabilitation. We also provide family relocation when needed.

Shelter City in Georgia has also developed a security retreat workshop for organizations where human rights defenders can work with security trainers, art therapists, psychologists, and others within a short period to enhance their own security. The retreat also prescribes time for rest and respite.

Engage with local allies

Georgia’s vibrant and strong civil society and supportive governmental institutions provide an amazing opportunity for defenders to create new alliances and strengthen their network of solidarity. During their stay, we provide them with opportunities to meet with local organizations, visit governmental institutions, participate in different educational events and workshops, and share their work and experiences.

Our team

Sasha Delemenchuk
Sasha Delemenchuk

Founder, Director

Agit Mirzoev
Agit Mirzoev

Management Consultant

Giorgi Marjanishvili
Giorgi Marjanishvili

Administrator

Sali Mezurnishvili
Sali Mezurnishvili

Case-manager, Lawyer

Sopho Khutishvili
Sopho Khutishvili

Financial Manager

Anastasia Medko
Anastasia Medko

Art-therapist

Keti Mghebrishvili
Keti Mghebrishvili

Psychologist

Liudmila Batalina
Liudmila Batalina

Psychologist-supervisor

Tamar Kapanadze
Tamar Kapanadze

Communications Manager

Mikheil Lazginian
Mikheil Lazginian

Case-manager, Legal and Administrative Assistant

David Ghonghadze
David Ghonghadze

Case-manager, Psychotherapist

Chris Grzywatz
Chris Grzywatz

Senior Case-manager, English Teacher

Aleksandra Zuryan
Aleksandra Zuryan

Case-manager, Visual Content Creator

Lasha Dzigrashvili
Lasha Dzigrashvili

Case-manager, Doctor

Maia Kapanadze
Maia Kapanadze

Housekeeper

Our stories

Guliaim, encouraging to find the activist within you
Guliaim, women's rights defender from Kyrgyzstan, shares her journey and hopes for Kyrgyz women and the future of her country.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Sylvain, advocating for disability rights in the DRC
Sylvain is a disability rights defender from the Democratic Republic of Congo who stayed in Shelter City Rotterdam. Faced with challenges due to the ongoing discrimination against persons with disabilities, he strives to strengthen their participation and inclusion in society.
Shelter City Rotterdam
Czarina, being an activist when they’ve labelled you a terrorist in the Philippines
Czarina, a human rights lawyer from the Philippines, shares how her activism has continued to motivate her despite the severe challenges she faces.
Shelter City Rotterdam
Luis, building peace through the fight against impunity in Venezuela
In 2023, Luis wrote this article in commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.
Shelter City The Hague
David, in search of justice for missing persons
David is a human rights defender from Mexico focused on advising and guiding family members of missing persons.
Shelter City Utrecht
Yendri, mobilizing LGBTIQ+ communities in Venezuela
Yendri works on advancing the rights of Venezuelan LGBTIQ+ individuals. Find out more about his work through a podcast episode and documentary.
Shelter City Utrecht
Nataliia, a journalist in service of human rights
Nataliia documents human rights violations and the plight of minorities such as the LGBTQ+ community, migrants, and people living with HIV.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Angel Sulub, keeping Mayan values alive
Angel, an indigenous rights defender from Mexico, shares how he is working to keep Mayan values alive.
Shelter City Nijmegen

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