“I was born with a disability affecting my foot and have held official disability status all my life. I had to leave high school after my mother passed away. When I returned home, I became a victim of economic abuse — my family even tried to evict me. I’ve often faced stigma, made to feel that my opinions were less valuable. My only stable income was a 190 GEL (about 60 euros) disability pension, which doesn’t cover basic needs.” – Liana Kvachadze, 55, RISE Georgia project participant                

Liana faced years of economic violence within her family. Through the RISE Georgia project — Reducing Inequality and Supporting Empowerment for Women in Crises — she has found a path toward economic independence with support from ASB Georgia. She learned about the project after attending a Self-Help group meeting.

“Thanks to the project, I started working — I’m now a housekeeper at a day center. My salary helps cover medicine and utility bills. I also have the opportunity to take a bookkeeping course. I’m grateful for this support.”

RISE Georgia currently supports 29 self-help groups across western Georgia. These groups raise awareness about domestic and other forms of violence, distribute flyers, and hold monthly community meetings to educate the public and identify those affected. Each group has 6–8 trusted volunteers from diverse professional backgrounds.

Maia Jashi, a project street worker, explained:

“Group members are active citizens who care deeply about their communities. These meetings matter because stigma still surrounds these issues. Accurate, accessible information helps people make informed choices.”

RISE Georgia is implemented by ASB Georgia in partnership with the Samaritan Association of Georgia. The project supports women and girls in crisis through targeted social and economic assistance. It runs until March 2026 and is funded by The Republic of Austria, represented by the Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection.