Association Merkuri is a women, non-profit, non-commercial, non-governmental organisation established in Zugdidi in 2004.

The organization works on local, regional, national, and international level with the mission of changing lives of people to live in gender equality and free from domestic violence, and the vision of building an environment for respect, trust and care.

Association Merkuri is a women, non-profit, non-commercial, non-governmental organisation established in Zugdidi in 2004.

The organization works on local, regional, national, and international level with the mission of changing lives of people to live in gender equality and free from domestic violence, and the vision of building an environment for respect, trust and care.

Merkuri’s active presence within local communities, organisations and institutions makes it one of the main informational and referral points for women affected by domestic violence in the Samegrelo region.

Merkuri identifies itself with having a strong problem-solving focused approach in a professional manner, there is diversity of the fields of interests and they represent trustworthiness and credibility according to feedback from beneficiaries and partners.

Merkuri supports in many ways, from raising awareness to providing social services for vulnerable groups, the organization offers a combination of opportunities:

• Informational support in topics related to gender issues, women rights, domestic violence. Manage info-meetings, consultations, meetings with experts, participation in TV and radio programs, spreading flyers and other printed materials to raise awareness.
• Educational support in the form of non-formal education and vocational courses. Trainings, seminars work-shops based on methods of Non-formal Education for women, children, youth, professionals working with the target groups are organized.

Vocational courses are aimed on enhancing employability of the beneficiaries, providing practical skills in craft and professions.

• Services for victims of domestic violence, including consultations and stay in shelter
• Humanitarian help to vulnerable groups or in case of emergency.

Please note that to receive some benefits or get support from Merkuri, you need to contact the team and have individual consultations to access goods, activities or services proposed by the organization. Participation in educational and informational activities is an open call. To attend and/or register you need to follow information regularly published on social media pages (Facebook, Instagram).

The beneficiaries of the organization are

WOMEN

• Rural women and women living in remote areas of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region
• IDP women
• Women victims of domestic violence/domestic violence survivors
• Vulnerable groups of women (single mothers, women in poverty, illegal migrants, etc.)

CHILDREN and YOUTH

• Young people with fewer opportunities (economic obstacles, social obstacles or geographic obstacles in the region of operation)

LOCAL POPULATION

• General public living in the region and all stakeholders (educational system, police, Social Agency, Media, other NGOs, etc.)

So far, Merkuri supported  5000+ beneficiaries (2007 – 2022), took part in 500+ humanitarian assistance, gave shelter to 200+ people and welcomed 500+ people in the Family Support Center.

Furthermore, activities / services provided by the organization are:

• Shelter for victims of domestic violence (for related services please read shelter section)
• Consultations and therapies at the Family Support Center for people/families experiencing violence
• Individual or group vocational training courses (sewing, computer skills, accounting, massage, shop assistance, etc.) to improve the professional skills that can empower a woman to provide an independent and sustainable life for herself and her children.
• Social screening of domestic violence. Spot visits at different rural locations to provide consultations related to domestic violence and for early identification of domestic violence cases.
• Referral; providing consultation to citizens on topic connected to gender/violence issues and redirection to relevant institutions.

The coming years Merkuri aims at developing (new) services for families facing violence, continueing the work in peacebuilding, developing programs for economic empowerment of women and strengthening youth work.

For further details on our projects, the Family Support Center and Merkuri shelter, please visit the relevant section. [click on each name of section]