Workshop of the Program: “Academic Swiss Caucasus Net”
One of the major components of the program "Academic Swiss Caucasus Net" is development of research. The program will give young scientists an opportunity to participate in research projects to be conducted in accordance with research standards close to the European counterparts. One of the goals of the program is to support young scholars in their academic career. Funding which will be provided for the projects has to enable them to carry out scientific projects similar to the European academic standards.
On February 12, 2010 program initiated a workshop, that took place at the Ilia State University. Participants of the workshop came from different high education institutions, NGOs and research institutes. 
The goal of the workshop was to discuss problems and challenges related to the research in the field of humanities and social sciences. Besides participants worked on identification of a joint topic for research projects on urgent issues of democratization/transformation. Projects to be funded are to be selected by an international scientific council. Participants of the workshop discussed possible focus of the projects and selected three topics: transformation, identities and social capital. Announcement of grants competition for research projects will be done in spring 2010.