South Caucasus: An In-Depth Exploration

In the current phase of its exploration, Nonviolent Peaceforce is engaged in deep discussions with South Caucasus' civil society in order to map out the needs a deployment of unarmed civilian peacekeeping teams could address.

Following requests from local human rights and community organizations for NP's involvement in the South Caucasus, we are undertaking a thorough exploration process in order to ensure our understanding of community and individual's needs at the local level. As we work toward enabling local populations' and civil society's freedom from fear, we must evaluate urgent needs on the ground and therefore understand how to best structure an unarmed international civilian presence.

NP will also be guided by its principles of non-partisanship and local ownership, and does not take any stance in questions related to the status of the different territories.

We have workshops planned with key civil society stakeholders from the region. Together, we will analyze the best steps to be taken toward a proactive presence on the ground, involving all parties and working cooperatively with local authorities. NP is focusing on areas most affected by the consequences of the recent armed conflicts. These territories include Abkhazia and the Georgian Tbilisi-administered ones of Shida-Kartli and Samegrelo.

                        NP visits the community youth club of a conflict-affected community in Samegrelo, Georgia.