Winners Announced for the Grant Competitions under the Programs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia

The grant competitions announced within the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia’s programs - “Supporting Diaspora Initiatives” and “Supporting Georgian Song and Dance Ensembles Abroad” - have been concluded.

The selection commission, composed of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Parliament of Georgia’s Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Issues, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, paid particular attention to the relevance and scope of the submitted projects, as well as to the candidates’ motivation, experience in diaspora activities, and awareness of the programs themselves, Georgia, and the host country.

As a result of the competition under the “Supporting Diaspora Initiatives” program, from the 61 applications received, the commission selected 20 winners:

United States - Mamuka Aladashvili, Fikria Barbakadze, Beka Goginashvili

Germany - Marina Marghishvili

Spain - Rusudan Nozadze, Demna Amaglobali, Veriko Gergedava

Italy - Nunu Geladze, Beglar Tavartkiladze, Nino Mamukadze

Greece - Nino Bajelidze, Nikoloz Gavrielidi, Khatia Goshua, Salome Darsavelidze, Revaz Kiknadze, Magdana Nikolaidu, Tamari Samkharadze, Konstantine Shengelia, Laine Papidze

Switzerland - Lia Qavlashvili-Horst

As a result of the competition under the “Supporting Georgian Song and Dance Ensembles Abroad” program, from the 32 applications received, the commission identified 24 winners:

Azerbaijan - Vasil Papiashvili

United States - Tamar Mikadze, Ilia Svianidze, Rusudan Galdava

Belgium - Imeda Qavlashvili

Germany - Ucha Birkadze, Khatuna Ketiladze

Spain - Marika Kurasbediani, Nana Phurtseladze

Italy - Khatuna Kapchelashvili

Canada - Nona Berikashvili

Greece - Rusudan Sabadze, Zaza Giunashvili, Shota Tskvitishvili, Shmagi Jimsherashvili

France - Teona Varshanidze, Mariam Shubitidze, Maia Baratashvili, Nana Maisuradze

Russia - Sofiko Liparteliani

Kazakhstan - Dimitri Bakhturidze

Sweden - Beka Tamazashvili, Lela Kukhianidze, Tinatin Shoshiashvili

These programs aim to strengthen the ties of the Georgian diaspora with their homeland, promote Georgia and Georgian culture abroad, support initiatives aligned with the country’s European integration and national interests, and preserve national identity and cultural distinctiveness among compatriots. To this end, the winners will implement diverse cultural, creative, educational, and other activities in their host countries.