First phase of baseline study for SOS Children’s Villages Georgia

DEPA Consulting is pleased to announce the successful completion of the first phase of an extensive baseline study for the project: “Improving the Socio-Economic Conditions of Families through Strengthening Structures and Local Partnerships in Georgia.”

Implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Georgia in partnership with the Jvari Community Education Centre (JCEC), this initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the SOS Children’s Villages International network.

Launched in September 2024, this three-and-a-half-year project focuses on the Tsalenjikha Municipality. The mission is twofold:

• Family Support: Directly enhancing the resilience of socio-economically vulnerable families.
• Systemic Strengthening: Improving the local child welfare ecosystem, including child protection mechanisms in six public schools and better coordination between the State Care Agency, the Mandaturi Service, and municipal social services.

From August 2025 to February 2026, DEPA Consulting conducted the baseline assessment, documenting the socio-economic and psychosocial conditions of vulnerable families. The study also examined systemic capacities, service gaps, and coordination patterns within the local child protection framework. Furthermore, it analyzed demographic and economic vulnerability patterns, parenting practices, psycho-emotional well-being, and trust in support services. Key focus areas included case management practices, violence prevention mechanisms in schools, institutional preparedness, inter-agency coordination, and policy alignment.

To ensure robust and comprehensive findings, DEPA Consulting applied a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data was collected through key informant interviews with representatives of the implementing organization, municipal authorities, and child protection specialists, as well as focus group discussions with teachers, parents, and pupils. This was complemented by a quantitative component, comprising surveys of participating families and their children using tailored semi-structured questionnaires, enabling triangulation of evidence across multiple stakeholder groups and data sources.

This milestone marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with SOS Children’s Villages extending through June 2027. In June 2026, DEPA Consulting will launch the second phase of the baseline study, expanding the research to include additional participant families and their school-age children. This next phase will further strengthen the evidence base, ensuring that the project remains data-driven and responsive to the evolving needs of the community.