Over the past several years, Tbilisi has hosted numerous festivals, competitions, and creative events, with the capital receiving various significant international statuses, declared Deputy Mayor Andria Basilia during a presentation on cultural, sports, educational, and youth policy achievements.
The municipality has actively collaborated with young people to support events that complement their formal education.
“We have been operating summer camps for several years now, and 20,000 young people have already benefited from this service. Everything is free. Various themed camps are organised around Tbilisi. Young people choose the direction that interests them. This is a kind of recreational opportunity and supplement to the academic year,” Basilia stated.
A youth social entrepreneurship support program launched two years ago has funded 39 projects.
“We gave young people the opportunity to develop their social goals on one hand, and create additional income sources on the other,” he explained.
Since 2018, the annual student festival has involved around 20 universities with nearly 20,000 student participants. Street art has flourished with approximately 200 walls painted by around 100 Georgian and 50 foreign artists.
Between 2018 and 2025, 695 Tbilisi athletes were awarded for achievements at world and European championships.
“Support for both professional sports and a healthy lifestyle is crucial. We funded nearly 2,000 sports projects,” Basilia revealed.
The municipality supports 350 coaches across 49 sports disciplines and annually funds 260 athletes under 18 years old in 32 sports categories. A successful women’s team support program has led to the formation of many new teams. In total, 268 sports clubs and organisations have been funded, with the municipality collaborating with 40 sports federations.
The “Sports for the Elderly” program has served over 2,000 citizens, providing free access to municipal pools and sports halls. Additionally, 1,700 athletes under 18 underwent comprehensive medical screening through a collaboration with the Sports Medicine Association.
Parasports athletes achieved remarkable success, earning 130 gold, 77 silver, and 150 bronze medals at various championships between 2018 and 2025.
“I’m proud that Tbilisi’s parasports development centre is unique in the South Caucasus region. Practically all parasports athletes living in our country train here. Training occurs in 14 sports categories,” Basilia stated.
The centre involves 280 people with disabilities and 19 coaches in training and rehabilitation processes, establishing Tbilisi as a regional parasports hub.
The Tbilisi Public Art Foundation, established in recent years, has successfully executed eight diverse projects—including sculptures, installations, sound art, and photography—over the past two years. The foundation has organised nearly 50 educational activities, authored approximately 30 texts—including reviews and research papers—and expanded the museum collection by over 1,000 items.
“Practically no event takes place in the capital without Tbilisi municipality participating in some form,” Basilia declared.
Tbilisi’s international profile has grown markedly. In 2021, the city joined UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network in Media Arts and was designated as the World Book Capital, fostering the translation of Georgian writers’ works into numerous languages.
“This allowed them to present their works internationally and further popularise Georgian literature,” Basilia noted.
Georgia became a member of the Eurodesk network in 2021, opening up additional opportunities for youth engagement. In 2025, Tbilisi was awarded the status of European Capital of Sport. Additionally, a youth card launching in autumn 2025 will offer young people a wide range of new opportunities and benefits.
The municipality has successfully hosted major international events, including the European Individual Chess Championship, European Youth Water Polo Championship, European Basketball Championship for under-18s, World Paralympic Basketball Championship, UEFA European Championship EURO 2023 for under-21 teams, European Karate Championship, Tbilisi Grand Slam Judo Tournament, and concerts by the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.
“We are very proud that more and more international events are being held in the capital in recent years, and it is receiving various significant international statuses,” Basilia concluded.
