SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

With the support of SOCAR, the Georgian Special Olympics team competed in the International Tag Rugby Tournament in Paris on May 29-30, won every match, and reclaimed the championship title.

Non-contact tag rugby was added to the sports disciplines of Special Olympics International in 2019. In Georgia, the rugby team was established in 2024 and competed in the Paris tournament for the first time that same year, winning gold medals.

This year, the team participated in the Paris tournament for the third time. In the 24-team championship, the Georgian Special Olympics team played six matches and won each of them. In its third year of existence, the team remains undefeated, with a total record of 17 wins and 3 draws.

For SOCAR, supporting the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities is one of the priority areas of social responsibility. The company continues to support initiatives that contribute to creating equal opportunities and strengthening an inclusive environment.

SOCAR has begun the gradual conversion of existing restrooms at stations. The restrooms at highway stations have been altered to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

SOCAR has been supporting the project "Active Life is My Passion" since 2019, organized by the Youth Media Union. Every year, the initiative hosts numerous sporting events and camps. The camp is attended by military troops injured during hostilities, veterans, celebrities, and disabled individuals from the surrounding regions.

• As part of the project #ActiveLifeIsMyPassion, an annual integrated bowling championship was held, named after Temo Sakhokia, a hero of the Abkhazia War and a participant in the project. Individuals with various disabilities took part in the championship.

• Within the framework of the #ActiveLifeIsMyPassion project, the adapted field camp in Borjomi hosted nearly 200 people with disabilities from different municipalities in Georgia, as well as wounded soldiers from peacekeeping missions and war veterans. As part of the activities, a rafting and archery tournament was held, dedicated to the hero of the Abkhazia War, Goderdzi Zakaria. This was followed by a zipline and paintball championship. The champions of these tournaments received cash prizes, gifts, trophies, diplomas, and medals.

• Also under the #ActiveLifeIsMyPassion project, a fishing festival was organized in the jungles of Lake Paliastomi. Over a two-day period, 32 veterans, soldiers wounded in peacekeeping missions, and people with disabilities from various regions of Georgia lived together and participated in the fishing festival supported by the Georgian Amateur Fishermen's Association.

• As part of the project #ActiveLifeIsMyElement, the traditional integrated regatta "Tbilisi Sea Cup 2024" with sailboats was held. Participants in the sports activity included soldiers wounded in peacekeeping missions, war veterans, people with disabilities, and representatives from the oncology community from various regions of Georgia.

The initiative is still ongoing and is implemented numerous times every year. SOCAR, as a devoted supporter, is actively involved in both project assistance and information distribution.

First Step, an NGO, has been assisting children with special needs for over 20 years. The program for children with autism is one of the organization's primary initiatives.

SOCAR Petroleum Georgia, along with other First Step supporters, helped renovate the cottage, which houses therapy and other beneficial activities for children.

On June 1, 2019, in honor of International Children's Day, the Special Olympics of Georgia and SOCAR Petroleum Georgia hosted a friendly football match.

The aforementioned event was totally supported by SOCAR Petroleum Georgia and aimed to integrate and support people with impairments into society.