Creative Voices for Children’s Rights initiative kicks off, sparking dialogue on issues affecting children across Georgia

TBILISI. Georgia. 16 June, 2026. With support from the European Union, a new initiative Creative Voices for Children’s Rights has brought children’s rights to life across Georgia through culture, creativity, and dialogue. The initiative implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Tbilisi International Festival of Literature (TIFL), has been uniting artists and communities to strengthen awareness and meaningful engagement on children’s rights nationwide.

The initiative is being rolled out in up to 20 locations across Georgia, reaching diverse audiences through meetings with writers, film screenings, and open discussions. The sessions feature a film or a book, followed by interactive discussions with writers, film directors, and child rights experts, exploring the issues through a child rights lens and engaging participants in meaningful dialogue.

Through partnerships with cultural institutions and local actors, the initiative aims to build lasting engagement and ensure that children’s rights are visible and valued in everyday life.

"When children’s rights are communicated through creative expression, they become lived, shared, and collectively owned values rather than abstract concepts" - said Isabella Castrogiovanni, UNICEF Representative in Georgia.

"By linking children’s rights with culture and creativity, we are helping people better understand and advocate for their protection. We are grateful to the European Union for its continued support in advancing children’s rights and are very pleased to partner with the Tbilisi International Festival of Literature to bring these issues closer to the public through art", added Isabella Castrogiovanni.

“Protection and promotion of children’s rights is a priority for the EU. But rights cannot be ensured by laws and institutions alone; they are also shaped by societies. Through film and storytelling, complex issues become relatable, helping to shift perceptions in ways that policy alone cannot,” said Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia

Culture and the arts play a vital role in raising awareness of children’s rights by making complex issues accessible, relatable, and emotionally engaging. Through storytelling, film, and creative expression, they help communities connect with children’s experiences, challenge harmful norms, and foster empathy—creating safe spaces for dialogue and encouraging lasting positive attitudes and behaviours that support and protect every child.

***

About the European Union

For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and the citizens of Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/

About the project/ programme

EU and UNICEF joint project “Human Rights for All – Realization of Child Rights to Family, Justice, and Adequate Standard of Living” – 2024-2027 helps protect children and support families. It works to prevent children from being separated from their families and helps them return home when possible. It also improves services for children and families in the community to strengthen family functioning for child’s harmonious development with specific focus on children from poor and the most vulnerable families, those who have experienced violence and makes sure they get the care and justice they need. The project trains professionals to better support children and families, helps children take part in decisions that affect them, and raises awareness about children's rights across the country.