Annual report of the public organization international fund “Apsny”

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL FUND “APSNY”

Public organization International Fund “Apsny” was founded in March 2015 by: Sener Gogua, Daur Arshba, Slava Sakaniya, Oktay Chkotua, Maxim Gvindzhia, Asida Inapshba, Syrma Ashuba, Roin Agrba, Beslan Kvitsinia, Astamur Logua, Julia Gumba, Beslan Kvarchia, Erkan Kutarba.
The goal of the organization is to promote the unity of the Abkhaz nation, preparation and implementation of projects on resolution of demographic, social, cultural and other issues on state building, creation favorable conditions for integration of representatives of the Abkhaz diaspora living abroad in socio-economical life of Abkhazia.
The organization also deals with charity.
 International Fund "Apsny" is structured as follows:
President – Gogua Sener Nedzhemovich
Vice - President – Smir Vitaly  Kiazymovich
Secretary General - Inapshba Ashida Vladimirovna

1. International Relations Committee - Gvindzhia Maxim Kharitonovich
2. Media and Public Relations Committee - Amkuab Guram Artemovich
3. Apsuara, Demography and Repatriation Committee - Ashuba Syrma P.
4. Economic Development and Investment Committee - Kvarchia Beslan.
5. Finance Committee - Kvitsinia Beslan Abramovich
6. Culture and Education Committee - Logua Nugzar Chichikoevich
7. Social Policy Committee - Chkotua Oktay Bekirovich
8. Youth Policy Committee - Logua Astamur Omarovich

In a relatively short period of its existence, the International Fund "Apsny" developed and implemented a number of programs and projects in the social, humanitarian and cultural spheres.

n April 2015, the Committee on Culture and Education OO MFA with support of the International Fund “Apsny” organized the participation of the State Folk Dance Ensemble “Abaza” in the International Children’s Festival "International Children's Day" in  Kojaeli, Turkey. Abkhaz children, for the first time took part in the official march through the city of Kojaeli together with representatives of many other countries, with their National flag.
The trip of the children’s ensemble “Abaza” to Turkey became possible thanks to the support of the International Fund “Apsny”
In May 2015, on the threshold of the Exile Day- 21 of   May the Fund organized a meeting between repatriates and members of government in a restaurant “Ertsahu”. The purpose of the meeting was to assist repatriates in the process of establishing the necessary links between the authorities and representatives of Abkhaz diaspora.  
The International Fund “Apsny" held two round tables on the burning issues of international economic relations of Abkhazia and problems of repatriation.

In June 2015 the International Fund “Apsny” held a round table on the topic "Abkhazia in the context of the modern Russian-Turkish relations." Leading experts from Turkey, Russia and Abkhazia as well as local officials and  representatives of different organizations such as: the director of the CIS countries Institute Zatulin K.F, member of the Public Chamber of RF Markov S.A., the President of the Ankara Po
licy Center, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Inal Chevikes, the Director of Ankara Policy Center Hasan Kanbolat. Abkhazian politicians, scientists and experts such as Shamba S.M., Shalashaa Z., Chkotua O. participated in the round table and delivered a report.
At the roundtable the following issues were discussed: the development of relations between Russia and Turkey,and  Russia and Abkhazia on the background of Western sanctions escalation and worsening the situation in Ukraine, the role Abkhazia could play in these relations, interests of Abkhazia, Russia and Turkey in this region and the prospects of such cooperation.
September 29th 2015, the International Fund “Apsny" held the round table on the theme: " Development of relations between Abkhazia and the Diaspora.", where the questions of return of Abkhazians to the historical motherland, strengthening relations with diaspora, preserving the language and traditions of ethnic Abkhazians living abroad, searching the ways of economic growth of Abkhazia with the assistance of Abkhaz diaspora, were raised at the round table. The First vice Prime Minister of Abkhazia Shamil Adzinba, the Chairman of the Abkhaz cultural centers Federation Chingiz Ashuba, representatives of the State Committee of Repatriation, distinguished Abkhaz scientists and public figures took part at the round table.  

In the direction of Charity the International Fund “Apsny” works on implementation of several independent projects, provides assistance and cooperates with charity organizations such as “Ashana’ and “Kiaraz”.

In July 2015 the International Fund “Apsny” launched a new charity project in the area of the Committee of Social Policy and Demography "Ani Amaalyki"(Mother and Child) aimed to support young Abkhaz families, in particular, young mother in her child care. Each Abkhazian family with a child under the age of 6 months receives a gift from the Fund - a package with special baby-care means, feeding bottles, thermometers, soother and beauty products for baby and mom, as well as Abkhazian children's books, a CD with the Abkhaz children's songs and the child care book for moms. The project is permanent and will gradually develop. Nowadays the mothers package “Mother and Child’ received 300 Abkhaz families.

August 25th 2015, the International Fund “Apsny" and Cultural and Charity Foundation “Ashana” signed a cooperation agreement. According to the agreement The International Fund “Apsny” will cover expenses for medical treatment of a child with cerebral every quarter. The total amount of financial assistance will make up to 800.000 Rub. per year.
In the implementation of the agreement the Fund “Apsny” covered expenses for treatment of two children with cerebral spastic infantile paralysis Doguziya Liana and Torchua George.
September 30th 2015 the Public Organization the International Fund “Apsny” launched a new project “Apeipsh” to support big Abkhazian families. Every month, one of the families having many children will be provided by material assistance in the form of necessary household appliance and other things. The list of essential things is determined by the Fund’s employee after the personal visit to the family.  In implementing the project the Fund interacts with heads of local authorities, which presents the information about such families.
The International Fund “Apsny” provided material support to two young families: the family of John Hibba, father of six children, living in Baslahu village and Genaba Givi, having 5 kids, from Likhny village. The list of all charity activities of International Fund “Apsny” is attached.

September 29th 2015, on Kurban-Bayram holiday, the International Fund “Apsny” organized an excursion for children of Syrian repatriates in a number of 50 people to the Ritsa Lake, the purpose of this trip was to see and study the sights of their motherland Abkhazia. Children were accompanied by their parents and Fund employees.

In favor of promotion of the country and establishment of links with foreign partners, the Fund representatives visited a number of countries.
The President of the International Fund “Apsny” Sener Gogua, and the head of International Relations Committee Maxim Gvindzhia visited Moscow from 26 to 29 July, where they held a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Abkhazian Business Council Peter Bereza, Chairman of the “Publishing House Vigil”, director of Institute of Political Studies, a member of the Public Chamber of Russia, Sergei Markov, as well as representatives of the Abkhazian diaspora in Moscow.
This trip was aimed to establish and develop relations with public organizations of Russia and involve the Abkhaz diaspora living in Moscow to processes related to Abkhazia.
In August 2015 with the assistance of the International Fund “Apsny” the delegation of the Republic of Abkhazia consisting of Minister of Education and Science Adgur Kakoba and President of the International Fund “Apsny “ Mr. Sener Gogua visited Turkey and North Cyprus with the purpose of familiarizing with educational systems of this countries. During the trip Kakoba A. and Gogua S. held a meeting with  the Speaker of the Parliament of Northern Cyprus Sibel Siber, Minister of Culture Kemal Durusti, the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Fikri Torosi, rector of the Mediterranean University of Northern Cyprus Nedzhem Osami, where they discussed the perspectives of further cooperation. In Turkey the Abkhaz delegation also held a range of meetings, in particular with the rector of Sakarya University Mr.Muzaffer Elmasi, who assured the representatives of Abkhazia that the number of scholarship to Turkish universities for Abkhaz enrollees will be increasing. Kakoba A. and Gogua S. met with representatives of Abkhaz diaspora.

In the future the Fund plans to organize regular trips of the leadership of Abkhazia to the states where the Abkhaz diaspora live with the aim to familiarize and explore the potential of diaspora.
At the end of October - early November 2015 President of the Fund S. Gogua as a part of ¬¬¬¬Abkhaz delegation, headed by the plenipotentiary of the RA President on trade and economic cooperation with foreign countries B.Butba visited Egypt and Jordan to develop relations with our Diaspora in the Middle East and to search new ways for interaction. During the delegation's stay in Egypt and Jordan they were able to hold a number of important meetings and reach agreements on many burning questions.

In Egypt, the Abkhaz delegation held a series of meetings with the Diaspora, which was informed about the situation in the country in the field of politics, economy, culture, education and Sports. At the initiative of our delegation with the aim to develop and strengthen ties with their historical homeland, there was established the Caucasian Center, which was uniting all the Circassian diaspora in Egypt, the chairman of which was appointed the respected in the society , our compatriot Mr. Rauf Abaza.

During the stay in Egypt, the Abkhaz delegation visited large enterprises of the country, such as: Chinese Agricultural Enterprise "Teda," met with the head of the investment corporation "G-com" Nebil El Gohary, discussed joint projects and possibility of transit corridor through Abkhazia to Russia for Egyptian goods, etc
Meetings with Abkhaz diaspora were also held in public organization "Divan-Abaza", headed by our compatriot Hassan Chichba.The meeting was attended by prominent representatives of our diaspora who have made a huge contribution to the development and culture of Jordan, including high military officials, Parliament Deputies, businessmen, representatives of MFA of Abkhazia to Jordan Ashraf Abaza Chkua.
In Jordan, the Abkhaz delegation was received by the first grandson of the King Hussein, the nephew of the current King, Prince Husein Mirza, who showed much interest to our country and gladly accepted the invitation to visit Abkhazia in the near future.

The Prince Ali Administration where our compatriots Inal Khatkhua and Enver Chkua work assisted in organizing the trip to Jordan. Inal Khatkhua also is a head of the “International Academy of Caucasia Culture”. The International Fund “Apsny” plans to sign the agreement with the abovementioned Academy in the near future.
November 9th 2015 the President of the International Fund "Apsny" Sener Gogua participated in the General Assembly of the Federation of Abkhaz cultural centers on the agenda of which were elections of a new Federation Chairman. The International Fund "Apsny" supported the candidacy of Ahmed Hapat, with whom the agreement on signing the Agreement on Cooperation between Abkhazfed and International Fund “Apsny” was reached.

International Fund "Apsny" pays great attention to the issues of Education.
Upon the initiative and with the financial and technical assistance of the Internationnal Fund "Apsny", a non-governmental educational Institution Educational Center "Academy" was created, where one can learn four languages: Abkhaz, Russian, English and Turkish with help of the experienced qualified teachers. Nowadays, the number of students is 100 people, and every day brings new applications from representatives of all age groups. Such centers are very important, as they give the possibility to get additional knowledge.
With the assistance of the International Fund “Apsny” 76 students study at the universities of Turkey and Northern Cyprus. Only this year 14 students of Abkhaz schools entered the University of Sakarya.
Currently the International Fund “Apsny” in cooperation with the Abkhaz Cultural Center in Sakarya works on providing the accommodation to all our students.

Upon the initiative and by the assistance of the International Fund “Apsny” the Union of Abkhaz Students in Turkey is established.

In October 2015, International Fund "Apsny" provided financial support to the III
International art plein air "Colours of Fall in Abkhazia - 2015 "
December 2nd  2015, the International Fund "Apsny" held a contest-exhibition of professional artists of Abkhazia "The Strokes of Time", dedicated to the 70-anniversary of the first President of the Republic of Abkhazia V.G.Ardzinba.
The exhibition was held in Sukhum, in the hall of the State Museum of the Republic. The winner of the contest was the work of a famous artist of Abkhazia Batal Dzhapua "Composition". On behalf of the Fund the winner received an honorary certificate and a cash prize at the rate of 50 thousand rubles. The second Prize at the rate of 30 thousand rubles went to the artist Adgur Ampar for the painting "Composition # 38", and the third prize – to Ruslan Chkhamaliya for a portrait "Farmworker"

December 3rd 2015, the International Fund "Apsny" presented a gift to the Ministry of Education and Science- the interactive whiteboard. Three more "smart" boards, which cost 3500 US dollars were transferred to Gagra boarding-school.
During his meeting with the Minister Adgur Kakoba, Sener Gogua informed him that the Fund undertakes to purchase two interactive whiteboards annually for Abkhaz schools.
December 22nd 2015, on the eve of New Year holidays the International Fund “Apsny "held a ceremony of awarding the winners of the annual Award "Ahzyrhuaga" in 2015. The award "Ahzyrhuaga" , established by the Fund, is awarded to citizens of Abkhazia for their contribution to the development of science, economy, culture, education, medicine and other results.  Representatives of state structures, community, cultural workers scientists and youth were present at the reception.
The winners of the Award “Ahzyrhuaga” became:
• Esma Tarba - for contribution to education, the teacher of Abkhazian language and literature in high school, Chuburkhinji village, Gali District;
• Jamal Zvanba - for contribution to the economy, businessmen, the head of the agroholding “Fruktis "in Arakich village, Ochamchira District;
• Nart Gamgiya - for contribution to medicine, the head of surgery department in the military hospital, Agudzera settlement;
• Otar Huntsariya - for contribution to culture, People's Artist of the Republic of Abkhazia;
• Said Bagateliya - for contribution to science, a promising scientist SFTI;
• Alain Avidzba - for achievements in sport, tennis-player.
The main sponsor of the International Fund “Apsny” , the head of “Abkhazmorprom” Company Timur Logua was marked by the Certificate of Honor.
International Fund "Apsny" establishes and develops relationships with various political, social and educational institutions at home and abroad. In order to develop relations the Fund signed cooperation agreements with the following institutions:
- Protocol of Intent with the Institute of the CIS countries.
- Protocol of Intent with the Center for Political Studies in Ankara.
- Agreement on cooperation with the charity fund "Ashana".
- The Protocol of Intent with the educational center "Academy" created with the support of the Fund.
-Protocol of Intent with "publishing house Vidzhl."
In the next stage is the development of educational project of the Fund "The way for studying "aimed to supporting low-income families in matters providing the necessary things and benefits of school-age children, as well as one of the areas of the project - promoting best students of Abkhazia.
International Fund "Apsny" publishes "Apsyntila sara stila" ( Abkhazia is my motherland) magazine, has its own TV show "Atskhamua", which is available on Abkhazian State TV and Radio Company monthly and the website in five languages: Abkhaz, Russian, English, Turkish, Arabic.

The sponsors of the International Fund “Apsny” are the local commercial enterprises and Companies, registered in the Republic of Abkhazia:

• «Abkhazmorprom»
• «Baysun»
• «Himpro»
• «Kiyak Bayikchelik»  

The Fund’s budget from March 2015 to the present is in the amount of 3.731.915 (three million seven hundred thirty one thousand nine hundred fifteen) Rubles.

Prepared by the administration of the Office of International Fund “Apsny”
Report #1 dated 20.11.2015