Tbilisi.Transparency International - Georgia: "Cases of alleged corruption are increasingly on the rise in the regions of Georgia." Companies associated with public officials and Bidzina Ivanishvili are obtaining large contracts from public procurers.  The document collects those suspicious Tenders and simplified procurements that “Transparency International - Georgia '' investigated at different times and officially addressed the relevant state structures to respond to the alleged corruption cases that appeared in these procurements. More... Source: Transparency International 

Tbilisi. The coalition "for independent and transparent justice" is contacting you with a request to organize a workshop.  The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the implementation plan of the court's part of the recommendations of the European Commission, in particular, to discuss the reform implementation deadlines, issues and the scope of the reform in general.  Also, the coalition presents its own views on judicial reform. More... Source: Transparency International Georgia

On January 25-26, IDFI, held working meetings with the private sector in the cities of Kutaisi and Batumi to discuss the availability of open government data of significance to the private sector. The events were held within the framework of the project implemented with the support of the USAID Economic Governance Program – Open Government Data study, which aims to reveal the needs, capacities, and potential that private companies have to create new services, increase efficiency, and facilitate economic growth through the use of data. More... Source: Institute for Development of Freedom of Information

Tbilisi.According to Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Georgia has a score of 53 points, which is a 3 point decrease compared to the previous year.  Even though Georgia maintains its leading position in the region, it has not had such a low score since 2015. More... Source: transparency international Georgia

Tbilisi.Targeted attacks on civil organizations by the Georgian government and ruling party leaders continue. Recently, the statements made by high political officials are aimed at discrediting the organizations that fight against disinformation and work on election issues and human rights.  Given that elections are planned in the country this year, such campaigns and the use of important issues for political manipulation are especially dangerous. More... Source: Information Integrity Coalition

Tbilisi. Transparency Georgia: "In 2023, the Government of Georgia discussed at least 531 draft decrees in 48 sessions, none of which has been made public to date. In addition, the government did not publish the agenda of 4 out of 48 meetings. It is impossible to obtain the documents even by requesting public information. " Transparency Georgia call on the government administration to abandon the harmful practice of hiding decrees, comply with the law and publish all documents both on its official website and in the legislative gazette, as well as to comply with all the requirements of the law on the release of public information. More... Source: Transparency Georgia

Guria.Youth initiatives are a top priority this year!  Meet some awesome young people from Lagodekhi Municipality.  They were a big part of the EU/UNDP "People and Planet" Festival, and are now dedicated to fostering equality, education, and climate action.

Tbilisi.The Soviet Past Research Laboratory (Sovlab) condemns the placement of an icon entitled Holy Matrona of Moscow blesses Stalin in the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.  The presence of this icon in the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the eve of the 103rd anniversary of the occupation of Georgia by Soviet Russia that started precisely on the initiative of Joseph Stalin, is an insult to the memory of the victims of Soviet Russian totalitarianism. Sovlab calls on the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church to clearly state its position on the figure of Joseph Stalin. If this position is negative, we call on the Patriarchate to ensure that the icon is removed from the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory

Tbilisi.Don't miss out on your opportunity to ask any questions about the EU's work in Georgia or its support for Georgia's journey towards EU membership. You still have time until January 10, 2024. Feel free to send your inquiries via direct message on European Union in Georgia Facebook page.  The EU Delegation to Georgia team is ready to respond! More…  Source: European Union in Georgia Facebook page

Imereti.LDA Georgia had the opportunity to  meet representatives of civil society organizations and active citizens of Samtredia municipality.  At the meeting  was  introduced the documents prepared on the basis of the needs of civil society organizations operating in the Imereti region and providing information about announced grant competitions.   The meeting was held within the framework of the project "Civil Society  STAR Initiative'' , which is supported by the European Union (EU) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).

On this historic day, the European Union and our Members States have one message to the people of Georgia - Watch the video message of the EU Ambassador Pawel Herczynski and the Ambassadors of the EU Member States.

Tamuna Akhobadze represented LDA Georgia at the European Solidarity Corps coordinators' meeting held on 24-26 November in Bakuriani. The purpose of the meeting was to share experiences, challenges and plans for the future within the framework of the  program, which gives young people the opportunity to engage in international projects to develop skills, gain knowledge, new experiences and improve professional competencies.   More... Source:  LDA Georgia

Tbilisi.The Council of Europe is proud to announce the 5th annual Equality Week 2023!  This year’s launching event took place on 15 November 2023 at Deda Ena Bar, where the captivating exhibition "Threads of Resistance" took centre stage.  The exhibition showcased the works of seven artists, unravelling the diverse experiences of being different and delving into the emotions that accompany it. More... Source: Council of Europe Office in Georgia

Tbilisi.On November 14, TDI organized an event dedicated to the International Day for Tolerance, as well as the TDI's 10-year anniversary. At the event we reviewed the main trends, needs and challenges regarding freedom of religion or belief, the rights of religious-ethnic minorities and migrants in Georgia.  More... Source: TDI 

Tbilisi.The Information Integrity Coalition urges the Georgian government to segregate anti-Western messages and their disseminating groups, utilize strategic communications departments efficiently, and take decisive actions to implement the European Commission's recommendations, with the engagement of civil society organizations.  The "Information Integrity Coalition," a union of organizations combating disinformation, is prepared to cooperate with all stakeholders to ensure that the European Commission's recommendations are fulfilled. More... Source: The Information Integrity Coalition

Tbilisi. Enterprise "Ikorta" became the social enterprise of 2023. The Social Entrepreneurship Forum is held every year, where the social enterprise of the year is named. See video about "Ikorta''

Dear fellow Citizens of Georgia, Congratulations on the positive recommendation issued by the European Commission! It is indeed symbolic that today, on November 8, the birthday of Ilia Chavchavadze, we have gathered at the monument of Akaki [Tsereteli] and Ilia [Chavchavadze] to discuss the path that Ilia has set for our future. Our European friends have always heard the voice of the Georgian people and have consistently recognized our desire and aspiration to become part of the European family. The European Commission has ackowledged our unwavering, collective struggle for a European future and has recommended that Georgia be granted the status of a candidate country for EU membership.  Today, [while announcing the decision] the President of the European Commission stated: "We fully support the European aspiration of Georgia, the European aspiration of the citizens of Georgia, these aspirations should really be taken into account by the authorities. They should start cooperating with the opposition and civil society organizations, and of course, they should focus on the 12 recommendations”.  Our common national objective, which is for Georgia to join the European Union, transcends all political and other differences. This goal unites our entire society, encompassing every citizen of our country. This [unity] is what the European Union anticipates from us. Today, we must unite our voices for our future and reach out to the leaders of the 27 EU member states. The voice of the Georgian people will play a decisive role when the final decision on granting Georgia candidate status is made in December.  We now have a new task ahead of us - from today until the final decision in December - to ensure that the strong will and voice of our Georgian people are once again heard by our dedicated and steadfast European friends, the member states of the European Union. source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi.Economic Policy Research Center and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, with the support of the Lietuvos ambasada Sakartvele/ present the final and 8th episode of our podcast, EUforia, in which Gigi Gigiadze and Zaza Shengelia summarize candidate status matters, discussing the current situation and the prospects in this direction. More... Source: Economic Policy Research Center

CENN with support from the EU hosted a study tour about social service in Czech Republic. Participants included local civil society organisations and local government representatives working in Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The study visit was carried out within the framework of the project Empowering Civil Society for Inclusive and Green Post-Covid Recovery", which is implemented by CENN together with partner organizations with the financial support of the European Union.  The local partner of the study visit was Caritas of the Czech Republic. More... Source: CENN

Tbilisi.Today, 36 United Nations Associations gathered in Tbilisi for the Opening of the 43rd Plenary Assembly of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), held under the theme "Partnerships for Impact". The Plenary was opened by WFUNA's President, Shawn Chen, who stressed that "It is now more important than ever that we find opportunities to collaborate, both between each other, but also with other civil society organisations, the UN, academic, and the private sector." Within the framework of the assembly, the delegates discussed the challenges of the organisation and discussed the future development plan. WFUNA is a global nonprofit organization that represents and coordinates a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations (UNAs) and their thousands of constituents.  It's based at the United Nations headquarters in New York and at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. More... Source:  UNA Georgia

Tbilisi.The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary reacts to the November 1, 2023 decision of the High Council of Justice (HCoJ), by which Bolnisi District Court judge Nino Giorgadze was refused a life tenure appointment. “The decision, Nino Giorgadze’s public statements, and major problems in the justice system raise reasonable doubts about the decision's legality”, said in statement.  More…  Sourse: www.coalition.ge

Tbilisi. Soviet Past Research Laboratory is now on TikTok. Follow for interesting videos: https://www.tiktok.com/@sov.lab Source: Soviet Past Research Laboratory