Mission:

Caucasus Open Space (COS) aims to support creation of socially, economically and ecologically sustainable environment, where human security is ensured, in South Caucasus and Central Asia. Caucasus Open Space further aims to strengthen cooperation among the Eastern Partnership countries, to achieve more effective resolution of common issues.
It is our firm belief that security is impossible without democracy, while democracy requires Euro-Atlantic integration for Georgia and increasing Georgia’s international role through strengthening its connectivity potential.
To achieve this important goal, COS conducts research, educational programs, develops recommendations for both governments and civil society alike.
COS is a think tank, oriented on research and consulting.

Values:

Core values of Caucasus Open Space are:
- Democracy
- Human rights
- Rule of law
- Equality
- Euro-Atlantic integration
- Human security
- Ecological sustainability
- Technological development and innovations

Ongoing thematic priorities:

Currently, COS is working in the following directions:
- Justice system: development of justice system, through providing support to organizational and educational components;
- State institutions: needs assessment, consulting and providing trainings for regulatory and other state institutions;
- Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA);
- Promoting equal, free and fair elections;
- Cybersecurity and Cyberhygiene: countering anti-western propaganda and development of resilience against hybrid threats;
- Economic security, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), working towards decreasing poverty and strengthening economic security;
- Providing support to IDPs and persons in IDP-like situations;
- Promoting cultural heritage policy and working on preserving/developing cultural heritage;
- Equality: supporting gender equality, protection of LGBTQI+ groups and ensuring economic equality;
- Supporting Euro-Atlantic integration;
-  Strengthening civil society;
- Environment protection and green policy: supporting sustainable environment and green policy, in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and other international commitments; 
- Development of education policy and system, to address the new generation challenges;
- Supporting infrastructure, based on sustainability principles and the Rights-Based Approach (RBA); 
- Development of free and independent media;
- Investment policy: geopolitical and security analysis of investment policy, providing support to socially responsible investors;
- Foreign policy: international advocacy.

Human Rights Based Approach (RBA) and gender equality are cross-cutting issues in all of COS’s programs.

Forms of operation/activities:

- Research, needs diagnostics, policy analysis, other forms of research and analysis; 
- Developing and implementing educational and awareness programs;
- Publishing: educational, analytical and other publications;
- Consulting/providing evidence-based recommendations to different governments and civil society;
- Supporting/facilitating civil society dialogue, development of networks and coalitions;
- Operating online multi-media platform.

Organizational experience:

Throughout five years of its work, some of the examples of COS’s work are:
- With active engagement and partnership with the High School of Justice, COS held research on the needs of judges and their assistants (covering Imereti region);
- Developed research/manual for the Members of Parliament and Judges, regarding Georgia-EU Association Agreement requirements in the fields of Agriculture, Infrastructure and Environment Protection;
- Developed comprehensive framework: Green Policy for Guria region in Georgia;
- Conducted research and developed capacity building strategy for the civil society in South Caucasus and Central Asia, held miscellaneous trainings for their capacity building;
- Held a number of pro bono trainings in mountainous regions of Georgia, for gaining access to livelihood (on developing business plans, management, engagement in local budgetary process, etc.);
- Developed a number of instructions/guidelines, among others, on media coverage standards during the electoral period.

Team:

Chairperson/Board member, Co-founder: Irma Pavliashvili – Executive/Administrative Director of Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) in 2017-2020. Fields of expertise: local self-government, elections and political processes, gender mainstreaming, advocacy, organizational management and financial sustainability.
Board member, Co-founder: Teona Macharashvili
Board member: Sulkhan Saladze
Organization has a multi-disciplinary expert network, who are engaged in COS activities in Georgia and in the Eastern Partnership countries.