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

Juvie, using documentation as a tool against injustice
Juvie, a human rights defender from the Philippines, shares her journey of over a decade in grassroot activism and documenting human rights violations against indigenous communities. Despite facing danger and emotional exhaustion, her work strives for accountability and justice. She continues to be passionate and believes that “one day [change] will happen, and more people will care about human rights”.
Shelter City Maastricht
Iván, reflecting on his journey as a human rights defender
Iván, former diplomat and Shelter City Amsterdam guest, shares his personal journey of becoming a human rights defender.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Iván, reflexionando sobre su trayectoria como defensor de los derechos humanos
Iván, antiguo diplomático y huésped de Shelter City Amsterdam, comparte su trayectoria personal como defensor de los derechos humanos.
Shelter City Amsterdam
Kiruba, fighting caste cruelties in India
Read Kiruba's story of challenging caste-based atrocities and discrimination in India.
Shelter City Nijmegen
Arsène, adding drops of justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsène shares his story as a human rights defender and lawyer in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Shelter City The Hague
Clasien, part of a global movement of human rights defenders
Clasien shares with us her experience coordinating Shelter City Tilburg and what it means to her to work with human rights defenders.
Shelter City Tilburg
Clasien, deel van een wereldwijde beweging van mensenrechten verdedigers
Clasien deelt met ons haar ervaring met het coördineren van Shelter City Tilburg en wat het voor haar betekent om met mensenrechtenverdedigers te werken.
Shelter City Tilburg
Olga, resilient in her journey for justice
During her three-month stay in The Hague, Olga penned a story to share her personal journey as a human rights defender in Venezuela.
Shelter City The Hague

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