UNDP - Parliament of Georgia

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)Strengthening Effectiveness and Transparency of the Parliament of GeorgiaACTIVITIES IN 2007In 2007 the Project assisted the Parliament of Georgia capacity development through thefollowing activities:‣ Enhancing internal structures and processes/Human Resources Development‣ Modernization of law-making process‣ Development of Public Relations‣ Promoting of ICT Tools for Democratic GovernanceENHANCING INTERNAL STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES / HUMAN RESOURCESDEVELOPMENTThe Project team supported the Parliament in solving managerial and organizational issuesrelated to the rationalization of the organizational structure; namely: modernization of intraagencyrelations, supervising function of the Parliament, document flow, law-draftingprocedures, public relations management, personnel management and other practices.Under the analytical activities undertaken by the team aimed to identify the strategicpriorities for raising the efficiency of the Parliament's activities, the project collected relevantinformation, performed its systematization, analysis and prepared analyticalmaterials/recommendations/reports. 11 project recommendations have been incorporated invarious legal acts and are used in practice (for detailed information on workshops, pleaserefer to the Annex). All the above mentioned materials were handed over to the leadership ofthe Parliament during the year 2007.23 methodological recommendations on general management procedures have beenprepared and passed over to the beneficiaries. The project was focused on elaboration ofrecommendations and development of HR management procedures, including staffrecruitment, attestation and carrier management. The project was providing support to theParliament in implementation of further development of human resources and trainingsystem and preparation of relevant manuals, guides. All these project outputs weresubmitted to the parliamentary top management and direct beneficiaries. Elaboration ofrecommendations is a result of joint work of the project staff and members of officiallycreated (by the decree of the Speaker) working groups, composed by the MPs andmanagerial staff of the Parliament. The Speaker of the Parliament, Ms. N.Burjanadze,Deputy Speaker Mr. M.Machavariani and Chief of Staff of the Parliament Mr. G.Martinenkoare in charge of adopting the recommendations.Within the personnel management component, the project team took an active part in thereform of the personnel management carried out in the parliament in the first and secondquarters of the year. The team was closely involved with the planning and properorganization of the certification/attestation process held in the Parliament and the National1

Parliamentary Library of Georgia. Upon the recommendation of the project, the Attestationand Contests Committee introduced the applicant's evaluation form at the final stage of theselection process, i.e. during final interview. The project consultants finalized the draft of the“Performance Evaluation Form” and submitted it to the Personnel Management Departmentfor consideration. The project proposed to the Parliament to create a new organizationalstructure of the Personnel Management Department. This recommendation was taken intoconsideration and officialized by the Parliament. Recommendations were prepared onimproving the methods for initial screening of job applicants at the Parliament. The projectcarried out preparatory activities for adapting the special personnel management software"PEMSY" to the needs of the Parliament. It reviewed and discussed the new TOR submittedby the Personnel Management Department of the Parliament. In cooperation with leadershipof HR Department, the project developed a modernized version of special personnelmanagement software "INMIS-PEMSY" and performed its installation on the working placesof responsible staff. The Adaptation of the software and on-the-job-training continues12 workshops and seminars were conducted on parliamentary development issues (fordetailed information on workshops, please refer to the Annex)The project team provided methodological and technical support to the ParliamentRepresentation Office in West Georgia (Imereti province, Kutaisi City). The project assistedin (i)identification of training needs, (ii) identification of target groups (MPs, majoritarian MPs’offices staffs, media, NGO, CSOs, etc); (iii) organization of reception of individuals andgroups of citizens; (iv) sorting and channelling of complaints and letters from citizens torespective state bodies; (v) holding of training sessions for identified target groups andofficials. Special workshops and seminars were held (for detailed information on workshops,please refer to the Annex).Average number of participants of seminars and work shops is 25-30. The monitoring andevaluation of delivered seminars and workshops was carried out by the senior staff of theParliament and the project managementIn the project framework 11 training modules and educational materials have beendeveloped and incorporated in the parliamentary Training Centre. Training sessions weredelivered in 29 groups. 469 parliamentary and NPLG staff members, representatives ofregional and local authorities and CSOs, other target groups have been trained in DocumentManagement, Personnel Management, E-Governance, Constitutional law, International law,Protocol issues, Administrative law, Legislative proceedings, law-making, governmentoversight and State Language for Officials. Average number of participants of each trainingcourse is 10-15. The monitoring and evaluation of delivered training sessions is carried outby the senior staff of the Parliament Training Center and project management (for detailedinformation on training courses, please refer to the Annex). With constant support of theproject, the capacity of the Training Center staff members has been significantly increased.Currently the new techniques of learning processes (such as development of trainingmodules, curriculums, methodological approaches) are being implemented widely by theTraining Center. The Training Center became responsible for planning of training courses,selection of the relevant staff members for target training courses and evaluation ofeffectiveness of the courses for the staff members’ performance. The annual training plancurrently is elaborated by the Training Center by the end of each year and is signed by theHead of the Staff of the Parliament in the beginning of the next year.10 Special editions (collection of normative acts, books, magazines, newspapers,dictionaries, guide-books, newsletters) were prepared, published, distributed; Types ofeditions (14 issues of "Saparlamento Matsne” / each issue – 1000 units/, quarterly (N1 andN2) issues of magazine "Parliament of Georgia”, “Newsletter on Parliamentary ReformActivities” (Third Edition) in Georgian and English languages) to increase public awareness2

and transparency of the Parliamentary activities were prepared, published, distributed.These editions cover the legal framework of national, regional and local levels (for detailedinformation on editions, please refer to the Annex).4 special software systems (such as draft laws and document flow, registration and reactionon citizens’ letters and complaints, personnel management) for the ParliamentaryCommittees and staff units are being designed and developed. Implementation process is inprogress. The mentioned e-tools are for improvement of the Parliament internal businessprocesses. Development and implementation of special software systems is a complicatedand time consuming process as their updating should be in line with (i) newly adoptedinternal business processes, (ii) modification in the parliamentary internal structures.Consequently the process of development and implementation of special software systemswill continue till the end of the project. Training of relevant personnel in the terms of use ofthe software systems will be conductedFollow-upo Streamlining management procedures (internal management, inter-agency relations withthe Parliamentary Secretary's Office of the President and the Parliamentary Secretary'sOffice of the Government, the Chamber of Control, the Supreme Council of Adjara AR,line ministries, document management, personnel management, public relations, etc) forthe Parliament staff.o Providing further support to the Parliament Representation Office in West Georgia(Imereti province, Kutaisi City). Training of staff members. Assistance in delivery ofservices to the populationo Assisting in establishment of new Representation Offices in regions (East and SouthGeorgia; tentatively in Telavi and Borjomi).o Fostering of cooperation between MPs and Parliament Representation Offices inRegionso Organizing and conducting seminars and workshops for MPs and staff, MPs and stafffrom Adjara AR, specialized NGOs and media with the focus on representation andoversight functionso Organizing and conducting training sessions for the purpose of increasing the skills ofthe MPs and staff memberso Developing, publishing and distributing special publications (guides, manuals, booklets,brochures, newspapers, magazines etc)o Assisting in establishment of Training Center at the National Parliamentary Library ofGeorgia. Providing methodological support to the CenterMODERNIZATION OF LAW-MAKING PROCESSThe project created special software and provided recommendations regarding the processof discussing the law “on making amendments to the constitution of Georgia”. The webportalcreated by the project has been used widely while the public discussions took placeon the proposed law “on making amendments to the Constitution of Georgia”. The projectelaborated and tested the special law-making software, which regulates the flow of the draftlaws within the parliamentary bodies. The software also enables the input of the commentson the draft laws, which will be accessible to all relevant stakeholders. The status of the draftlaws (committee or plenary hearings, discussions, etc) is also depicted in the software. Theproject experts worked on this software in close consultations with MPs and staff of theParliament. Although, as the practice demonstrates, the improvement and adjustment of thesoftware will be a regular requirement.The personnel involved in law-making processes are trained in using the law-makingsoftware system. The mentioned special law-making software system is for improvement ofthe existing rules and procedures for drafting of laws. Its development and implementation is3

complicated and is a time-consuming process as it needs updating according to (i)modifications introduced in the Regulations of the Parliament, (ii) adoption, formalization andrationalization of new internal business processes, (iii) modification in the parliamentaryinternal structures. Consequently, the process of development and implementation of speciallaw-making software will continue till the end of the project. Thus, the project will alsocontinue training of relevant personnel in the terms of use of the special law-makingsoftware.The project assists to increase coordination and effectiveness of inter-agency relations forbetter law-making. It includes improvement of relations between the Parliament BudgetOffice and the Chamber of Control, National Bank, Ministry of Finance and State Treasury.In this respect, the project keeps providing support to the Parliament in implementation thefollowing activities:• strengthening of institutional capacity to develop regulatory and legal policies• improvement of coordination mechanisms within the Parliament• improvement of government oversight through strengthening operations of the Chamberof Control as a body accountable to Parliament• further rationalization of relations of the Parliament with the Chamber of Control,President’s Administration, Chancellery of the Government and line Ministries, newlyelected self-governance bodiesThe tools to be used for better information exchange are: (i) formalization of information, (ii)agreement on periodicity of information exchange, (iii) usage of modern ICT tools such asnets, web images and special data bases.The project conducts activities for improvement of coordination methods for timely provisionof information from the parliamentary structures to the line ministries on parliament sessions,committees’ sessions, extraordinary commissions’ sessions, agendas of the above sessions,who in person should be presented at these sessions. The relevant information is timely onthe parliament web portal. The Parliamentary Secretary Office of the Government ofGeorgia, situated in the premises of the Parliament is given the access to the networkrecourses through IT equipment. The representatives of the Parliamentary Secretary Officesof the Government and line ministries benefit from on-the-job-training provided by theProject.At the request of the leadership of the Parliament, the project prepared analytical document(comments/remarks/suggestions) on the new Public Service Code. The draft of thedocument is discussed and relevant consultations with the MPs and parliamentary expertsare in progress.The specialized information materials about legislative procedures in Georgia are developed,published and distributed among civil society organizations and media in order to promotethe transparency of the Parliamentary activities (for detailed information please refer to theAnnex).Follow-upo Further application of new methods and tools for improving law-making activitieso Developing and publishing specialized information materials about legislativeprocedures in Georgia and distributing them among regional and local selfgovernmentbodies, youth and students' target groups, civil society organizations andmedia in order to promote the transparency of the Parliamentary activitiesDEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC RELATIONS4

The project supports the Parliament in realization of the action plan developed jointly withleadership of Public Relations and Information Department. The project provides support inorganization of PR actions, in preparing and publishing of different types of editions toincrease public awareness and transparency of the Parliamentary activities, in improvementof web image of the Parliament.The Media Center established under the framework of the project has served as an excellenttool in promoting publicity about the parliament activities and cooperation between theParliament Management and Media. The project was providing support in organization of PRactions, in preparing and publishing of different types of editions to increase of publicawareness and transparency of the Parliamentary activities, in improvement of web image ofthe Parliament. For visibility purposes, series of leaflets, booklets and brochures will beprepared and published. The publications will be distributed through Media Center toaccredited journalists, information agencies, TV and radio channels, NGOs.The project provided assistance to the e-Club, established at the National Library of theParliament in the following directions: (a) information and IT support, (b) free access for e-Club users and library readers to set of UNDP editions “Civil Servants’ Library”, (c) setting upof “e-Kiosk” (interactive terminal system / informational kiosk) services and development ofits interactive content, (d) provision of e-services through Parliamentary new web portal(www.parliament.ge) and the Library new web site (www.nplg.gov.ge).The project significantly contributed to improvement of the Parliamentary web image. TheParliament web portal (www.parliament.ge), created by the project, has been constantlyupdated; the new web sites (www.nplg.gov.ge, www.cdc.parliament.ge) were created andlaunched. The web-site for “Temporary Investigation Commission on Actions against theCitizens of Georgia from the Government of Russia” was launched.At the request of the Speaker of the Parliament, the Project initiated creating a neweducational sub-portal. The sub-portal will support the transparency of the Parliamentaryactivities, will increase the knowledge in public administration as well as the interest of theyoung generation and will contribute to active participation of the youth in law-makingprocesses. Creation of additional web services will contribute to improvement of law-makingactivities, access to existing legislation, and access to information and special databases. Itwill also increase the effectiveness of the work of MPs, and staff of the Parliament. Thetransparency of the parliamentary activities will be ensured. The interactive services willmake possible wider participation of active experts and representatives of political groupsand CSOs in the law and policy making activities. Works on creation of new additional webpage(www.discovery.parliament.ge) in the framework of current web-portal were started.The Parliament representation office has become an effective mechanism for publicizing theparliamentary information to the audience of West Georgia. The project financed issuing ofmonthly newspaper “Saparlamento Matsne” (Parliamentary news courier). 14 issues of "Saparlamento Matsne” have been published and disseminated (free of charge). The numberof copies printed per each issue is 1000. The newspapers are disseminated to 4 regionaladministration and 28 municipalities’ local councils as well as majoritarian MPs offices, MPs,Parliament staff, NGOs and CSOs. 2 special programmes about the activities carried out bythe Parliament Representation Office in West Georgia were prepared and broadcasted bythe “Rioni TV”.With the purpose to make the Parliament's activities more transparent, to strengthen itsrelations with the citizens and to increase the efficiency of the response to their complaintsand demands, the analytical material about citizens' letters, received by the Parliamentduring the year 2006 and about the responses has been prepared.5

The activities of the Parliament have received increased publicity through variouspublications; the quarterly (N1 and N2 -2007) issues of magazine "Parliament of Georgia” aswell as the “Newsletter on Parliamentary Reform Activities” (Third Edition) in Georgian andEnglish languages were prepared and published.Follow-upooooooooProviding of support to the Public Relations Department of the ParliamentProviding support for the successful operation of the Media CentreProviding support for further development and maintenance of the ParliamentaryWeb-Portal and number of sub-sites developed under the projectOrganization and carrying out special surveys among wide population onparliamentary issues and other relevant concernsDeveloping, publishing and distributing quarterly newsletters, annual reports andother publications of the ParliamentOrganizing seminars, workshops, round tables, events for targeted focus groups:MPs, politicians, parliamentary candidates, Parliament staff members,representatives of media and specialized NGOsPlanning and organization of public awareness companies for wide population aboutlegislative branch of the power through TV/radio programmes and mass media;preparation and broadcasting of movie-clipsAssisting in rising of public awareness about newly adopted electoral rules andprocedures for Parliamentary elections in 2008. Delivery of information campaigns tofamiliarize the electorate with the new electoral systemPROMOTING OF ICT TOOLS FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCEIt should be noted that the objective on development of the infrastructure was decreased tominimum under UNDP project. From 2007 the ICT infrastructure and Internet services havebeen mainly covered from the funds provided by the Parliament/Government, while UNDPfunds have been used for capacity development purposes.The project has ensured the maintenance and sustainability of the already providedinfrastructure, creation of new e-tools for business processes as well as the properinstallation and functioning of tools purchased by Parliamentary funds.In addition to ensuring the modern ICT skills for the staff and MPs, the project addressed theprovision of MIS software that promoted effective working relations within the Parliament.The INMIS included innovations introduced as a result of the rationalization of managementsystems and processes. This, in turn, helped to institutionalize the achievements of theproject. Provision of local networks also improved the internal information exchange, draftlawmovement processes as well as in-house coordination through the enhanced means ofcommunication.Hardware A variety of IT equipment (servers, computers, printers, copiers, faxes, consumables)was purchased and installed for several departments of the Parliament. A variety of video and audio equipment was purchased for the PR Department of theParliament. Interactive Terminal Systems (Kiosks) were purchased for the Parliament and theNational Parliamentary Library of Georgia. Inventory System “Barcode Manager” was purchased and installed in the NationalParliamentary Library. Stenographic System for the Parliament was purchased and implemented.6

Network Services The LAN of the Parliament was expanded by 300 net points; and up to 30 physicallydamaged net points were repaired; various network active and passive equipmentwas provided and installed for these purposes. Network security equipment (Network Security Appliance & Router) and software(Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server) was provided for theParliamentary LAN. Antivirus program for the Mail-Server of the Parliament (24 months license for 1000mail-boxes) was purchased and installed. 25 Microsoft Windows Terminal Server 2003 Client Access Licenses were purchasedfor the Thin Clients of the Budgetary Office of the Parliament.Internet Services Uninterrupted Internet services have been provided to the Parliament and theNational Parliamentary Library during the whole year. Backup Internet Connection Services have been provided for the Leadership, Weband Communication Servers and IT Department of the Parliament.Software 4 special software systems (such as draft laws and document flow, registration andreaction on citizens’ letters and complaints, personnel management) for theParliamentary Committees and staff units are being designed and developed.Implementation process is in progress. The project carried out preparatory activities for adapting the special personnelmanagement software "PEMSY" to the needs of the Parliament. In cooperation withleadership of HR Department, the project developed a modernized version of specialpersonnel management software "INMIS-PEMSY" and performed its installation onthe working places of responsible staff. The Adaptation of the software and on-thejob-training Special software package “ORIS” was purchased and installed for the budgetaryoffice of the Parliament. Software Development Package “Developer Express DXperience Enterprise” waspurchased for the IT Department of the Parliament.Websites The Parliamentary web image was improved. The Parliament web portal(www.parliament.ge) has been constantly updated. The new Web site of the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia(www.nplg.gov.ge) was created and launched. E-services are provided to the population through Parliamentary new web portal(www.parliament.ge) and the Library new web site (www.nplg.gov.ge). Works for creating of the Educational Sub Site of the Parliament’s Web Portal(www.discovery.parliament.ge) were initiated. The project strongly supports the process of development of several important webproducts, such as:o http://www.cdc.parliament.ge for the first inter-parliamentary meeting withinthe framework of Community of Democratic Choiceo http://www.parliament.ge/index.php?sec_id=636&lang_id=ENG for thettemporary Investigation Commission on Actions against the Citizens ofGeorgia from the Government of RussiaFollow-up7

ooooooooooProviding of support to the IT Departments of the Parliament and NationalParliamentary Library of Georgia.Maintaining sustainability of the existed infrastructure.Creation of new e-tools for business processes.Assisting in proper installation and functioning of tools to be purchased.Updating of the specialized software systems.Providing IT equipment and Internet services to the parliament, NPLG and theParliament Representation Office in West Georgia and supporting their connectivityto the Parliament.Assisting in further development of the Parliamentary web image.Assisting in ICTD; Training relevant personnel in terms of use of ICTsProviding IT support to the Parliament Representation Office in West GeorgiaProviding IT assistance to the Representation Offices in regions, envisaged to beestablished under the project8

3. LESSONS LEARNEDPositive• MPs, staff of the Parliament as well as the representatives of CSOs show great interestin the methodological-practical and other kinds of materials developed and published bythe project. However, due to lack of financial resources the project is unable to publishenough copies of these materials to provide each interested individual. The records ofthe requests are kept in the Project office and once they reach the reasonable amount,they can be printed if additional resources are found. The project can not make anycommitments, but can reply to those persons/organizations that in case if enoughrequests and respective funds are found, they will be provided with the necessarypublications.• Special seminars and workshops were held to discuss local government and selfgovernmentreforms, election code and issues related with fiscal decentralization. Suchmeetings have proved to be extremely constructive and important. Consequently, theproject provides indirect support to implementation of several reforms in the country,such as decentralization reform, tax revenue reform, civil registry reform, e-Governanceand ICTD initiatives. It is important to hold those policy discussions within theParliamentary project as those discussions later constitute the basis for informeddecisions and participatory law-making process.• Analysis of the activities and outcomes of the Parliament's Training Center, establishedand developed under the UNDP project, proves that the training system, which wasestablished at the Parliament, is working very effectively. However, it is necessary tocontinue providing methodological (manuals, books, user guides) technical (computers,audio-visual equipment) and financial (recruitment of trainers for special training courses)support to the training center to ensure its stability and further development.In spite of fact that the testing of personnel was conducted at the Parliament and theNational Parliamentary Library of Georgia more professionally than in other stateinstitutions, the project consultants believe that testing procedures still require furtherimprovement. The project collected, processed and classified a significant part ofinformation necessary for profound analysis of existing state of affairs in PersonnelManagement, problem identification and development of recommendations.• When developing and implementing special software packages, it is important that thepotential users get actively engaged in the development process so that the relevant ToRis prepared and endless modifications of the software are prevented later on. The projecthas taken some actions in this regard to involve those users as much as possible,however, at times this is not always possible as they do not have direct reporting linestowards the project and do not always have time to be engaged with such activities asthey have some other work to do When introducing new software, it is highly importantto deliver on the job training to the responsible civil servants. System for delivery ofspecial tasks to the project for adaptation and elaboration of special software programsshould be improved, as well as in this respect, qualification and competence ofresponsible persons in relevant services of state institutions.• Implementation of innovations is not a single act, but a lengthy process involving theperiod of adaptation requiring some time. Often in the very process of adaptation newdemands, wishes and some organizational problems arise, which is quite natural andboth sides of project management should elaborate effective mechanisms for solving theproblems mentioned above.9

• The Project Board meetings greatly contribute to effective and timely implementation ofthe project activities.• When several projects are implemented in a state institution with support of internationalorganizations and donor countries, there is a need for close coordination. Actually at theParliament operates the Centre for Parliamentary Reform (CPR). The CPR is anOSCE/ODIHR supported project in the Parliament of Georgia supervised by theSpeaker-Appointed Coordinator for International Donor Projects. The Centre serves as adonor coordination body assisting the Speaker’s Office and Speaker-AppointedCoordinator for Donor Projects in monitoring the on-going parliamentary reform activitiesand identifying further reform goals. The UNDP project closely cooperates with the CPRand all the parliamentary projects.Negative• Political situation in the country and coming presidential and parliamentary electionsinfluence the project implementation process.• Frequent changes in the Parliament staff management and political positions (such asChairman and Deputy Chairman of Committees) influence the project implementationprocess. The latest changes were related to the staff attestation process, when numberof high rank officials left their positions. These staff members are direct counterparts ofthe project in implementation of project activities and they represent main projectbeneficiaries as well; when a newly nominated parliamentary staff member gets theposition, the project staff organizes special meeting with him/her, provides with all kind ofinformation about the project objectives, activities and project implementation process.Usually, due to the fact that they are busy with their newly assumed responsibilities, ittakes some time to incorporate them in the project implementation process. In this casethe project activities have been delayed for several weeks or months.• Adoption of the project recommendations on law-making activities depends not only onthe political will of the Parliament, but also of the Government. Frequent changes in theGovernment composition affect the project implementation process. This may takeunpredictable amount of time; In case if it takes longer time, the project staff usually hasconsultations with the Speaker of the Parliament, who is National Project Director, withthe Head of the Speakers office and with the acting National Project Director, Chairmenof the Committee on European Integration.• Difficulties exist in actual enforcement of IT products (software and web sites). In case ifany software is not timely implemented or there is delay in launching some web sites, theproject used to take consultations with the NPD - Speaker of the Parliament, the ViceSpeaker, the Head of the Staff of the Parliament, Head of the Speakers office and withthe Acting Project National Director – former Chairmen of Foreign Relations Committee(actual Chairmen of the Euro Integration Committee). In such cases the special order ofthe Speaker is prepared and the innovation of the project is officially approved andbecomes obligatory for every staff member.• Low level of information sharing between the Parliament and other State Institutionsinfluence the project implementation process. One of the priorities of the project isimprovement of the relationships between the Parliament and all the State Institutions,involved in the law making process. The top management of these institutions shouldhave clear information about the activities carried out by the project in the Parliament. Ifthe information is not provided, the project innovations can’t be fully applied and itconstitutes risk for fulfillment of the project goals10

• Sustainability of the project innovations is highly important. The parliament has to commitofficially in written that that Training Center, Media Center, IT products, etc. will bemaintained. The consultations with the Parliament top management should be held longbefore the project closure and exit-strategy should be defined.• At times, divergence of views within the top management of the Parliament rendering thedecision-making authorities is unclear for the project staff.• Ignorance of institutional subordination within the Parliament and increased role ofpersonalities influence the project implementation process.11

4. PROJECT ISSUES• In 2007 the project was operating according to the Project Substantive Revision,prepared and signed in September 2006. The project objectives were the following: (i)Modernization of law-making process, (ii) Enhancing internal structures and processesand (iii) Development of Public Relations. As it was agreed, the ICT infrastructure andInternet services were covered from the funds provided by the Parliament/Government,while UNDP funds were used for capacity development purposes.• The new document envisaged a revision of the implementation arrangements andengagement of full-time project personnel. Total allocation from UNDP was increased byUSD 350,000 and from the Government - by USD 500,000 (for the project needs in2007). It was agreed that: ICT infrastructure development and maintenance andassistance to the National Library of the Parliament would be covered through theParliamentary funds.• During the year 2007 the project was funded by the following donors: UNDP – 199,832USD, Government of Georgia – 500,021 USD and Sida – 116,600 USD (financial reportattached). Given that this project was financed from three difference sources, ithappened that some activities were financed from more then one source. Overall, thistime to time affected slightly the initially suggested distribution of the funds between theactivities. Of these five activities, in 2007 the Sida funds were mainly channeled towardsthe first four, while the UNDP and the Government cost-sharing funds were used for allthe five activities.• After the decision about co-funding the project by the SIDA was taken, 116,600 USDwere allocated to cover the projects needs for the year 2007. To document the Sidacontribution to the project, the UNDP has prepared and signed together with the NPD the“Substantive revision” to the project document. In May 2007 some of the initiallyapproved activities undertook changes due to changed external environment. Theproposed changes in the activities and in the budget as well as the reasons behind eachmodification were provided to Sida for consideration. All the changes have beenapproved.• On February 28, 2007 the meeting of the Speaker of the Parliament, NPD with Ms.KoriUdovicki, newly appointed head of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS, MsMarta Ruedas and Ms. Louisa Vinton, UNDP HQ representatives. The guests reiteratedUNDP’s commitment to assist Georgian Parliament in on-going and up-coming reforms.• On March 13, 2007 the meeting to discuss 2006 Annual Review and 2007 Planning ofthe UNDP Programme in support of functions and capacities of the Parliament and itssubsidiary bodies was held. This first review of the UNDP Programme in this area wasorganized within the framework of the Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP), agreedwith the Government of Georgia for the years 2006-2010. (minutes attached)• Between November 19th and 23rd 2007 the independent external evaluation of activitiessupported within UNDAF Outcome 2.2 of the Country Programme Action Plan 2006–2010 (CPAP) took place (evaluation report attached)• On December 07, 2007 the Project Board Meeting took place. As a result of thementioned meeting, the Project Substantive Revision was prepared and signed. With apurpose to keep the strategic focus and ensure further improvements the projectobjectives will continue to be: (i) Enhancing internal structures and processes, (ii)Modernization of law-making process and (iii) Development of Public Relations. The12

earlier fourth objective on development of the infrastructure was decreased to minimumunder UNDP project. It was agreed that ICT infrastructure and Internet services will bemainly covered from the funds provided by the Parliament/Government, while UNDPfunds will be used for capacity development purposes.• To accommodate the extension of the project for the year 2008 and for meeting theabove objectives, it was agreed to increase the project budget by 100,000 USD to beprovided by the Government. The funds will be used for (i) Conducting surveys (aboutUSD 50,000), (ii) Preparation and broadcasting of audio-visual clips (about 25,000USD), (iii) Organization and delivery of events, seminars, round tables on Parliamentaryactivities (about USD 5,000), (iv) Preparation and publishing of publications (about USD10,000) and (v) Acquisition of audio-visual equipment (about USD 10,000). USD 90,270USD are included in the 2008 budget from the side of UNDP and USD 133, 400 from theside of SIDA.• In 2007, 3 budget revisions were made in order to reallocate or/and rephrase availableresources among budget accounts and years and to reflect increasing of resources tocover project activities.• Number of activities, such as organization of workshops and seminars for journalistsaccredited in the Parliament, envisaged to be held in Batumi and Gudauri have beenpostponed due to created political situation in the country. The subject of these eventswas related to: transparency and accountability of the parliamentary activities, awarenessof journalists on legislative procedures and parliamentary rules and regulations.• The “Educational web portal” wasn’t finalized due to the fact that the personalinvolvement of the Speaker of the Parliament and other representatives of the highmanagement was required. Due to the created tense political situation, they were short oftime and this issue was not priority at that moment. The web portal will be finalized andlaunched in 2008.• The “field sessions” of the Parliamentary Committees planned for December 2007 werepostponed also due to political environment.13

ANNEXList of publicationso “Collection of Normative Acts for Officials of Local Government”o “Collection of Normative Acts for MPs and Parliamentary Staff” “Collection of NormativeActs for Ajara AR Supreme Council members and staff”o Administrative Lawo Parliament and Protocol Issueso 14 issues of “Saparlamento Matsne” (Parliamentary news courier), a monthlynewspaper, dedicated to the Parliament's Representation Office in West Georgiao Dictionary for Civil Servantso Magazine "Parliament of Georgia"o Newsletter On Parliamentary Reform Activities (Third Edition)o "International Legal and Economic Aspects: Conflicts and Prognostication”o Guide book: “National Parliamentary Library of Georgia”List of seminars/events/presentationso Seminar on “Process of implementation of local self governance in Georgia” – Round 1(30 participants, including representatives from Ajara AR Supreme Council), Tbilisi,March 2007o Seminar on “Process of implementation of local self governance in Georgia” (30participants including representatives from Ajara AR Supreme Council)- Round 2, Tbilsi,April 2007o Seminar for majoritarian MPs, for officials of 28 majoritarian MPs bureaus, for selfgovernmentbodies – 4 regional administration and 28 municipalities’ local councils on“Parliamentary reforms and new elements for involvement of majoritarian MPs bureausin legislative processes”, Ureki, June 2007o Seminar on “Implementation of Government oversight procedures on local selfgovernmentalunits” – Round 1 (26 participants), Tbilisi, June 2007o Seminar on “Implementation of Government oversight procedures on local selfgovernmentalunits” – Round 2 (26 participants), Tbilisi, July 2007.o Seminar for officials of majoritarian MPs bureaus in West Georgia, self-governmentbodies and media on “Awareness of the monitoring system of the implementation of thelaws and regulations adopted by the Parliament of Georgian and institutionalcooperation“ (30 participants), Batumi, November 2007oSeminar on law on “Housing and Communal Services for Newly Elected Municipalities”(28 participants), Tbilisi, October 2007o Seminar on preparation of amendments in administrative code of Georgia (24participants), Tbilisi, November 2007o “Proposed 2008 FY budget for the local territorial entities; Argumentation of theincome/revenue part of the budget; Ensuring of tax revenues for budgeting process;Correlation between State and Local Budgets”(30 participants), Kutaisi, December 2007oSeminar on preparation and introduction of changes in the “Electoral Law”, organic lawof the Parliament of Georgia (21 participants), Tbilisi, December 2007List of recommendations provided by the projectoooImplementation of the special personnel management software “PEMSY”Implementation of the special information system “ACPA” on complaints and letters ofinterest groupsRecommendations on further enhancement of the Parliament Representation Office inWest Georgia14

o Recommendations on further enhancement of the Parliament PR and InformationDepartmento Recommendations on composition and carrier development of the Parliamentary staffduring the period 2000-2005o Division of MPs by their past working sphereso Observations provided by the UNDP project on the draft “Civil Service Code”.o Recommendations provided by the UNDP project on the President’s draft decree “rulesand procedures for civil servants’ contests and attestation processes”.o ToRs for the structural units and civil servants: “Appraisal methods”o Analysis of staffing policy of the Parliamento Special survey and related recommendations on National Parliamentary Library ofGeorgiaList of conducted PR campaign activitieso 2 special programmes about the activities carried out by the Parliament RepresentationOffice in West Georgia were prepared and broadcasted by the “Rioni TV”. (October,November 2007)o Presentation of the action plan developed jointly with leadership of Public Relations andInformation Department (March 2007)o Open discussion on creation of a new educational sub-portal – March 2007o Meeting with the accredited journalists, information agencies, TV and radio channels,NGOs at the Parliament Media Center to promote publicity about the parliament activitiesand cooperation between the Parliament Management and Media. (April 2007)o Launching of the quarterly (N1 and N2 -2007) issues of magazine "Parliament ofGeorgia” as well as the “Newsletter on Parliamentary Reform Activities” (Third Edition) inoGeorgian and English languages (September 2007)Setting up of “e-Kiosk” (interactive terminal system / informational kiosk) at the NationalParliamentary Library of Georgia (October 2007)o Official launching of the National Parliamentary Library completely new web site -October 2007.15

Training sessions delivered in 2007№ CourseDateN oftraininghoursN ofgroupsN of participantsPergroupTotal1 Document managementApril, May,November40+20 413, 10,15, 12502 Personnel ManagementApril, June,November80 414, 15,17, 15613 Constitutional law April, June 20 2 17, 10 2745International lawProtocol issuesMay, October 60 2 15, 9 24May 10 1 23 236 Administrative lawApril,November30 2 13, 17 307891011e-GovernanceLegislative proceedings, lawmaking,governmentoversightState Language for OfficialsCommittees ActivitiesPlanningPublic Relations(PR Technologies)April 20 2 18, 10 28June 30 2 19, 15 34April , May,June, July,October,November,December200 1015, 14,13, 15,12, 10,15, 14168October 15 1 10 10October 10 1 14 14TOTAL 535 29 46916