“Learning Labs for Equal Rights” Project Closeout Meeting was Held

The closeout meeting of the “Learning Labs for Equal Rights,” funded by the first grant competition of the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) under the I2Q Project, held on July 30-31, 2025 The project’s goal was to integrate people with disabilities into society and create an inclusive academic environment. The project was implemented in collaboration with Ilia State University and Gori State University.

During the closeout meeting, attended by representatives from CIF, project results were showcased. Notably, the event featured international experts, including Professor Salvador Simo from the University of Catalonia in Spain and Research Professor Maria Kapanadze from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Project participants introduced an innovative employment model for individuals with disabilities, which included the establishment of eight multidisciplinary training laboratories (hubs) designed to promote employment within the higher education system. At Ilia State University, the following hubs were created: Unifood, a healthy food corner; Polygraph Shop, a photocopying and publishing business; Fablab, focused on wood products manufacturing; and Meeting Garden, which hosts social events for students and the community. Gori State University established a gardening laboratory, a gastronomy hub for bread baking technology, a viticulture lab, and a computer lab.

In these hubs, specialists identified specific job-related skills for individuals with disabilities, facilitating their social integration and participation in a supportive community. Students from the psychology and social work programs at both universities actively used these hubs to gain practical experience.

Throughout the project, over 100 students completed internships and developed competencies in working with adults with disabilities. Training sessions aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of academic staff, students, and individuals with disabilities were conducted with the help of international experts, and participants received international certificates.

The project also led to updates in the Bachelor’s Program in Psychology and the Master’s Program in Social Work at Ilia State University. Additionally, a mini-module for continuing education was developed for social workers in organizations supporting individuals with disabilities, along with new training modules at Gori State University focused on working with this population.

Under the guidance of project leader Professor Ketevan Makashvili, educational videos were created, and participatory research was conducted at both universities involving beneficiaries with disabilities.

At the wrap-upp session, attendees discussed strategies for the project’s sustainability and how the skills of employed individuals with disabilities would be integrated into society. The meeting also highlighted “StudCast,” a student project from the social work program, hosted by one of the project’s beneficiaries.

More information about the activities and results of the “Learning Labs for Equal Rights” project is available on the project’s website.