Sophio Mchedlishvili

About me

Guided by the fundamental values of social and environmental justice, solidarity, feminism and democracy, I was one of the early members of the Georgian Young Greens. Later, as network coordinator of CDN, a capacity-building network of Eastern European Young Green Organisations, I became fully committed to understanding the needs of its member organisations and the planning of projects that contribute to their political and structural maturity. Within CDN, we organised numerous international educational activities, regional meetings and trainings as well as structural activities for the member organisations. These brought an in-depth view of the green movement in Europe in general, and in Eastern Europe in particular, and gave me an insight into the gaps and challenges posed by external political circumstances and the internal processes within these movement(s).

Currently, I work at Green Forum Sweden as project manager for Eastern Europe. Here, I have gained a valuable understanding of the political party work, and Green Parties’ struggles and opportunities as small yet ideologically grounded actors in their respective contexts. I am particularly interested in the processes of grass-roots green movements seeking political responsibilities and transformation into green and democratic political structures.

My skills

Non formal education methodology, facilitation skills, groupwork dynamics, gender-sensitive approach, conflict-sensitive approach

Why you should work with me

First, I am a firm supporter of the practice whereby improving diversity and inclusion goes far beyond speaker line-ups in the discussions and panels. Inclusion is manifested through various technical details at events: from their accessibility and geographical location to refreshments and catering. Removing barriers behind the scenes is a big part of making an event inclusive.

When it comes to dynamics in the group and ensuring that everyone has a space to express themselves, I consider it of the utmost importance to introduce and follow the safe space policy, inclusive language and consensus-driven approaches. Non-formal education methodology provides a vast number of tools to ensure inclusive participation and thus contributes to participants’ personal as well as organisational development. These practices are not only inherently connected to green values but embody and manifest some of them in practice, too.

As for my favourite concrete methods, I would pick out two: forum theatre and simulation games. Simulation games can take participants into unfamiliar situations and roles and thus introduce them to a new array of viewpoints (particularly when they have to argue from a point of view with which they personally disagree, which is a very useful skill for an activist). Forum theatre is an incredible tool when exploring ways of resolving conflicts, enabling participants to take the stage and explore different possibilities and analyse alternatives in any given situation.

My work experiences

CDN Network Coordinator (2017-2020) Green Forum Project Manager (2020 – present) I have attended numerous educational activities and have been a member of preparatory teams

My education & training

CDN international seminars, study sessions, trainings; regional meetings as well as statutory events;

Federation of Young European Greens international seminars, summer camps, statutory events;

GEF Partner meetings;

EGP council meetings

My references

Nikoleta Petkovic, CDN Network Coordinator, office@cdnee.org

Therese Näsman, Green Forum Secretary General, therese@greenforum.se