The Pompidou Group successfully organised a two-day professional workshop on 17–18 July 2025 in Tbilisi, bringing together 32 psychologists and social workers from state institutions and municipalities across Georgia. The two-day event aimed to enhance peer-to-peer practices of social workers and psychologists, share effective strategies and approaches in drug prevention, and strengthen collaboration and co-operation between central and municipal levels while working with vulnerable children, adolescents, parents, and families. 32 specialists attended representing the National Agency for Crime Prevention and Probation, Juvenile Referral Centre, Office of Resource Officers, Special Penitentiary Service, and State Care Agency, as well as 10 local self-government bodies from across the country.

Participants were introduced to the Positive Parenting Programme, its objectives, structure and the outcome results of the evaluation assessment of the pilot phase. Furthermore, results of the ESPAD survey, community-based prevention approaches, and mental health aspects including professional burnout were presented and discussed, as well as techniques of behavioral science to develop change among parents and families coming from vulnerable groups.

Psychologists and social workers from Kutaisi, Zugdidi, and Zestaponi described the workshop as a significant professional milestone, noting it was the first opportunity for many to engage directly with colleagues from central government agencies and other municipalities. Representatives of state agencies underlined the importance of establishing a nationwide co-ordination network of psychologists and social workers to strengthen coordination and referral mechanisms between central and local levels, improve flow of information and service provision. Professionals underlined the need for further professional training at

The two-day workshop underscored the Pompidou Group’s commitment to foster strong partnerships and joint efforts to enhance effective support systems and mechanisms for vulnerable children and families throughout Georgia, as part of the Project ’’Strengthening the Role of Key Actors in Drug Prevention’’ under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia (2024-2027).