Kvarli municipality is an ethnically diverse region, where small ethnic groups of Georgia - Ossetians, Udis, and Avars^[1] live in villages located close to each other, along with Georgians. The Ossetians live in the village of Tsitskanaantser, the Udis live in the village of Zinobiani, and the Avars live in the villages of Tivi, Chantliliskure and Saruso. In the municipality of Kvareli, one can also meet the villages inhabited by Catholics - Mtistziri and Sanavardo.

The present study presents the results of the research on the needs of the Udis and Avars.^[2] To study the conditions of Udis and Avars in the villages inhabited, the Social Justice Center conducted on-site fieldwork for an extended period of time.

The field work included inspection of the infrastructure of the villages, cultural and social gathering places, as well as visiting and observing the main gathering place of the ethnic groups - the market of Akhalsopeli. In addition, for the purposes of the research, a questionnaire for identifying the problems was created and was used for conducting 12 individual in-depth interviews and one focus group in the Avar villages, and 5 individual in-depth interviews and one focus group with Udis in the village of Zinobiani. The needs depicted in the study were also identified in the Avar community, in the village of Tivi, through  the legal aid clinic conducted by the Social Justice Center.

The study of the rural needs shows that the central and local authorities are weak in detecting the specific needs of small ethnic groups and also weak in understanding and supporting the unique diversity in this municipality. It is also important to note that the place of settlement of Udi and Avar groups is mostly Kvareli municipality, and the exclusion and challenges in these villages affect the situation of the entire Avar and Udi communities as ethnic groups. Taking this into account, the role and responsibilities of local self-government are particularly high, and municipal policy needs an active consideration of this context. Unfortunately, these groups have almost no representatives in local bodies, which reduces their ability to influence the political agenda and decision-making process.

Georgia, as a signatory country of the European Framework Convention on the Protection of the National Minorities, has undertaken to ensure the protection of the rights of all ethnic groups living on its territory, including small ethnic groups. This obligation includes, among other things, protecting their cultural and linguistic rights, creating conditions for full participation in public life, and protecting them from any form of discrimination. This commitment is expressed by the state in providing equal access to basic needs and improving social and economic conditions for small ethnic groups, as well as in taking special, positive measures for equal participation and preservation of their culture, language and traditions.^[3]

Unfortunately, the importance of the state's positive obligations is poorly reflected in the existing integration policy, which requires it to understand the existing structural inequality, historically formed injustices, and implement measures based on positive interventions towards different ethnic groups. In the existing strategy of civil equality and integration, the issues of protecting the rights of small ethnic groups are scarcely reflected and it lacks a nuanced analysis of the social essence of these groups. Beyond the commitment to teach the languages of small groups, which was an important state decision at the time, efforts to protect their cultural identity and create an inclusive cultural environment in diverse municipalities do not go further. The purpose of the present study is to describe this reality in detail and show the needs, concerns and interests of these groups before the decision-making bodies, as well as the actors implementing the development projects.

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