About Us

Leli was founded in 2006 as a community foundation by the youth of Village Leliani in Kakheti, Georgia.

Our vision is for every person to achieve his/her highest potential, contribute to all aspects of life and secure a good standard of living.

Our mission is to create an inclusive, educated and participative community by strengthening the democratization process and improving inter-cultural relations within Kakheti.

Towards this mission, we implement projects aimed at increasing community awareness, teaching socially unprotected community members of their rights, developing the community and business environment, conducting educational trainings among many others.

Our Values

We are a team of passionate and energetic people deeply connected with the community that we serve. In addition to the core team, community volunteers, youth and volunteers from around the world have participated in shaping the organization over the years and continue to do so. As a result, there is constant dialogue that has pushed us to keep growing, progressing and adapting with changes and time.

– team work;

– individuality and creativity;

– responsibility and ownership;

– volunteerism and motivation;

– needs-based solutions;

– reliability and trust;

– adaptability;

– learning through constructive criticism;

– positivity and empathy

Leli is funded by some major donors like Care International in the Caucuses, DVV, Peace Corps Georgia, Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia, Open Society Georgia Foundation, Taso Fund and Creative Development Center.

In addition, Leli also has two social enterprises; a honey and an eco-tourism enterprise which serve as a means of financial sustainability and a source of income for the community.

Leli maintains close ties with the Lagodekhi Municipality and works with its officials on implementing infrastructural and educational projects for its target community.

Volunteers

MEGNA SUNDAR

Working with Leli has been a realization of all my dreams of doing grassroots level community work. It has proved to me that work and communities like this are not only stuff you read about from a distance in a book or article but can be your actual everyday living experience. The positivity and energy that Leli carries with it is its biggest tool for change.

ALEX SAVELLI

As an Individual and Organizational Volunteer, I spent a lot of time working with youth and women at Leli on a variety of projects. My greatest success was helping Leli start a village tour business that helped families generate additional income. Overtime, Leli became a place of adventure, personal growth, and community for me and will always remain my second home.

KAMRAN BEIKMOHAMADI

Leli represents a very special time in my life. I was the first Peace Corps volunteer to serve at Leli, and worked with Nana, Gela and the many volunteers to help make improvements to the organization over my three years. More importantly, the bonds I formed with everyone at Leli and in Leliani and the cross culture exchanges helped inform my worldview and taught me about the importance of community and family.

MICHAEL HOLLIS

My time at Lili was exciting, interesting and challenging. The people were some of the nicest people I have ever met. Friendships and sharing in activities were more important than getting a job done. The job did get done, but it wasn’t always the top priority. Nana invited me to participate in many impromptu to activities away from the office.

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