IWA Acting President on the IWA Winter Fair

On December 2, the International Women’s Association of Georgia (IWA) is to hold its annual Winter Fair at Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel Tbilisi, from 10AM to 6PM. What started as a project to introduce Georgian artisans and craftsmen to a wider audience has become one of the major charity events in Tbilisi, gathering international organizations, embassies, diplomatic missions, Georgian and international sponsors, Georgian artisans and NGOs.

In 2016 alone, the Fair saw 4,000 visitors, and 22 diplomatic missions, 2 international organizations, 5 NGOs and 150 Georgian artisans selling their products and works, from food to Christmas gifts.

The goal of each event is to raise funds for IWA Georgia charity projects and activities in Georgia, focused on supporting those in need, be it the elderly, children or women. In 2016-2017, the International Women’s Association of Georgia supported the Anti Violence Network Georgia with about 50% of last year’s winter fair income, helping them to purchase infrastructure, industrial kitchen equipment and utensils, alongside providing funds to furnish their new shelter. IWA Georgia also supported eight other projects carried out by NGOs, and helped provide medical aid to seven individuals from socially deprived and disadvantaged families. In 2017-2018, IWA plans to have “Empowering Women” as a motto, focusing on assisting women both in Tbilisi and in the regions of the country.

GEORGIA TODAY met with Barbara Kohler Beglinger, Acting President and Fundraising Chair of the International Women’s Association Georgia, to talk about the organization, their projects, and the upcoming Winter Fair.

Let’s start with your involvement and work at the IWA Georgia. How do you find it?

I’ve been a fundraising chair for two years now, and I was also the Vice President of the organization, so that’s why I’m its acting- president currently… Of course, if you’re the wife of an ambassador [Mrs. Kohler Beglinger is the spouse of Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia, Lukas Beglinger] it’s customary to be a member of international associations of this kind. Sometimes those are exclusive to spouses, but IWA-Georgia offers a platform for international women to work alongside Georgian women. It really is an active charity organization; it’s not a club to just socialize. For me, being a member of IWA was a challenge to a certain point, because I also work as the ambassador’s wife and manager of a Swiss artist.

IWA has been active in charity work since its establishment in 1996. Which of the projects would you underline?

I’m very happy and proud about the Focus Project we implemented this year, with the funds we raised at the 2016 Winter Fair going to support the Anti Violence Network Georgia. Their shelter is now up and working, and when you see what they do, how they help these people to find jobs, get an education, find housing, this is truly an inspiration.

This charity aspect and, indeed, the existence of the IWA, is really needed in Georgia. All of us work voluntarily. Most significant was getting Charity NGO status, meaning that the IWA is not subject to taxation and our sponsors can donate without paying taxes.

How do you choose which projects to support?

IWA adopted this year new stringent guidelines for project selection and management. With our Focus projects, the main projects we do, we work with NGOs. When we receive a request of support, our CPC (Community Project Committee) visits and then we discuss it at the CPC meetings. Once funding is agreed, we consistently monitor progress. It’s hard work and it’s important for people to know that we will monitor everything and that we will take money back if we are not satisfied with the way that money is being used.

Where do you see most assistance being needed in Georgia?

Basically, help is needed everywhere. However, while working with the Anti Violence Network Georgia, we saw that it’s vitally important to support women in this country. This is not a gender question per se; we’ve observed that the pillar to really holding a family together is very often the wife. It may sometimes be hidden, but it’s a reality. That’s why for 2018, we decided to focus on projects that empower women and support women in need. Last year, through our Winter Fair, we managed to raise GEL 153,000, and 50% went to one focus project, which is the highest amount we’ve ever spent on any one project. In 2018, we aim to support women in the regions, in shelters, and women living in IDP settlements. For the rural women, it’s often not easy to find employment, as they have children and need to stay at home. We saw that there are potential spaces for kindergartens and one of our ideas is to get kindergartens up and running so that these women can leave their children and work for a few hours a day. We also have a project to support women with cancer, and their rehabilitation, with the same goal to enable them to take care of their children, to work and so on. Our goal is to support women in need and their families, which will ultimately result in supporting society at large.

Tell us about the upcoming Winter Fair

This year, we have 26 embassies participating, two international organizations, 35 different food stalls, 19 international product stalls, about 200 vendors and 40 sponsors, and all of it to be located within 2000 sq.m. of Radisson Blu Hotel, in the Lobby-Lounge area, the Ballroom, the conference rooms, in the Filini restaurant, and on Filini terrace. It’s a huge event, and there’ll be a lot of food! The preparatory process is not at all easy, because of the diversity of participants and the challenges of product procurement, sometimes from abroad, which takes time. What makes us proud is that the annual IWA Fair is an event not to miss, both for people from Georgia and from the international side. At the Winter Fair, you can find very nice gifts that you wouldn’t find anywhere else, and for all the vendors and sponsors, it’s a good place to be because they know they’ll reach Georgian and international public.

What can you say to encourage people to come to the Winter Fair?

Well, you’ll find things you won’t be able to find elsewhere, as well as an impressive diversity of food and other products from all over the world. It is really an attractive fair with a nice ambiance, not to be found in ordinary shopping malls - good for smart shoppers and families. At the opening – at 10am - we’ll have a choir singing, and we’ll have Jako Radio interviewing different people. But more importantly, the Winter Fair serves a good and important purpose. Just by coming, you’ll be doing good, because with every Lari you spend there, you’ll be helping someone Georgian who is in need, bringing the true meaning of Christmas to life.

What is the secret of success behind the IWA Winter Fair?

I think the secret is the collective commitment and engagement of innumerable people; , if you count the people who are helping, it can be in the thousands, all doing it together. What is also unique about the Fair is that it links the Georgians with the international community; you feel it in the entire ambiance.

Nino Gugunishvili