You are presented with the collection “The Mirror of Conflict: Untold Stories, Georgian–Ossetian Context,” which serves as a continuation of the analytical anthology “The Mirror of Conflict: Georgian–South Ossetian Context.” This volume presents the Georgian–South Ossetian conflict through the eyes of people living on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Line, reflecting the mirror that both communities have had to confront—and continue to confront—to this day.

The right to education is guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia for all citizens. However, equal quality and access to education are not effectively ensured across the entire territory of the country. The present report examines the accessibility of quality education for one of the most vulnerable groups in Georgia: ethnic Georgians living along the Administrative Boundary Lines with the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region, as well as within the occupied territories themselves.

Since the restoration of Georgia’s independence, separatism and the conflicts it generated have been among the most traumatic experiences for the country. As a result of these conflicts, nearly one-fifth of Georgia’s territory remains outside the control of the central government, while hundreds of thousands of citizens—predominantly ethnic Georgians from Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region—became internally displaced persons (IDPs). Over more than two decades of displacement, these individuals have endured poverty, stress, stigma, and deprivation.

The Summary Report of the Election Observation Mission of the 15 June 2014 Local Self-Government Elections was prepared within the framework of the project “Synergy – Empowering IDPs through Participation and Cooperation,” funded by the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The project was implemented by the Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflicts (ISNC) and the Network of Non-Governmental Organizations Working on IDP Issues – “Synergy.”

In recent years, numerous developments have taken place that have directly or indirectly affected the dynamics of conflicts in Georgia. Profound transformations have been observed both internationally and, often, within the regional context. Despite the existential importance of these issues for the Georgian state, a thorough analysis of ongoing processes has not been conducted—neither at the broader societal level nor within the expert community.

The Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflicts (ISNC), in cooperation with the network of IDP non-governmental organizations “Synergy”, implemented a project aimed at monitoring the process of local self-government budget planning and execution, as well as informing internally displaced persons (IDPs) about the programs envisaged in local municipal budgets.