The project “Colour White” focuses on the conflicts in the regions of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Abkhazia and aims to shed light on the perspectives and experiences of the local citizens and war refugees. The project team, consisting of various Georgian artists, international volunteers and the International Centre for Peace and Integration (ICPI), travels to villages near the border of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali, where they live and interact with the locals for a week.

The project team aims to listen to stories and reflections from the locals and creates artworks inspired by what they’ve heard and seen. While in the villages, the artists go to the schools to create workshops, share their personal experiences in the art field and answer questions to inspire and broaden the horizons of the local pupils.

Through the workshops, the team aims to achieve these results for the pupils:

• To learn new skills: The workshops will introduce the youth to different forms of art and provide them with hands-on, engaging learning opportunities to develop their artistic abilities and skills.
• To express themselves: Art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and the workshops will provide the youth with the opportunity to express themselves through creative means.
• To be inspired: The workshops will bring together local youth and artists from different backgrounds, providing the youth with the opportunity to be inspired by the artists' experiences and stories.
• To broaden their horizons: The workshops will provide the youth with exposure to new ideas and perspectives, helping to broaden their understanding of the world around them.

Additionally, the team also travels to Poti to conduct interviews with Abkhazian refugees, and gain insights into their lives 30 years after the war. The project is an attempt to bring to light the diverse perspectives and experiences of the individuals affected by the ongoing conflicts and to spread awareness about the current situation in the regions.

 The artworks and interviews are later displayed in an exhibition in Tbilisi. 

Aims:

• To raise awareness about the ongoing conflicts in the regions of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Abkhazia and the impact they have on the local citizens and war refugees.
• To give a voice to the individuals affected by the conflicts and shed light on their perspectives and experiences.
• To inspire and broaden the horizons of the local youth through outreach activities and artist interactions.

Objectives:

• To conduct a week-long residency in villages near the border of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Georgia, where the project team will create artworks inspired by the stories and surroundings.
• To gather and showcase a diverse range of artworks and interviews with war refugees from the regions of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Abkhazia in a comprehensive exhibition in Tbilisi.
• To conduct interviews with Abkhazian refugees in Poti to gain insights into their lives 30 years after the war.
• To engage with the local youth through outreach activities and artist interactions and provide them with opportunities to learn and grow.
• To collaborate with various Georgian artists, international volunteers, and the International Centre for Peace and Integration (ICPI) to achieve the project aims and objectives.

The overall duration of the project is 3 months, during which the project team works to ensure its successful completion. This includes preparing for the visit to the border villages, conducting project management activities, creating workshops, reviewing the artworks and interviews gathered, selecting the best pieces to showcase in the exhibition, and preparing the exhibition itself. The preparation phase involves obtaining necessary permits, arranging logistics, arranging the travel and accommodation, and ensuring that all resources are in place for the team to carry out their work effectively.

 The overall target group for this project is as follows:

• Local citizens and war refugees from the regions of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Abkhazia: The artworks and interviews created during the residency and outreach activities will provide a platform for their stories to be heard and raise awareness about their lives.
• Local youth in the border villages: The team will engage with the local youth, introduce them to different forms of art, and provide them with opportunities to learn and grow.
• Art enthusiasts and the general public: The Tbilisi exhibition will present the art pieces and interview recordings obtained during the artists' stay in the border villages and their outreach efforts. It will serve as an opportunity for the public to gain insight into the dispute's effect on both the local inhabitants and war refugees.

The project aimed at exploring and raising awareness about the ongoing conflicts in the regions of South Ossetia/Tskhinvali and Abkhazia is deeply connected to the core European values of democracy and community.

Democracy, as a fundamental principle of the European Union, is all about empowering people and giving them a voice. Through this project, the team aims to listen to the stories and reflections of the local citizens and war refugees and showcase them to the public. By doing so, they give a platform to the unheard voices, who are often neglected in the larger political discourse, and provide a space for them to be heard.

Furthermore, the project also emphasizes the importance of community and bringing people together. By hosting workshops for local school children, the team aims to create a sense of community and belonging, by fostering a creative and open dialogue between different generations. The shared experience of creating art, discussing it and learning from each other is a perfect example of how community can bring people together and break down barriers.

Finally, by showcasing the artworks and interviews in an exhibition in Tbilisi, the team aims to bring attention to the ongoing conflicts and the impact they have on the local citizens and war refugees. By doing so, they aim to create a sense of community among the public and encourage them to take action to support the local people.

In conclusion, the project is a true representation of the European values of democracy and community. By empowering the unheard voices, fostering a sense of community, and encouraging public engagement, the project is a testament to the importance of these values and their role in shaping our society.