Mtskheta-Mtianeti. On March 10, the Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC) held a training for the members of the organizing committee in the City Hall of Dusheti Municipality. “At the training, the parties selected the priorities and discussed the critical organizational issues, the knowledge of which is necessary during the planning and organization of the forums. They also got to know about the innovative model of participatory budgeting and citizen which will ensure the population in Baghdati, Dusheti, and Ambrolauri municipalities be involved in the formation of the 2024 budget”. Find out more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The report of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) presents an assessment of the availability of public information in Georgia based on data from 2022. The report also includes an analysis of the trends in the release of public information in 2010-2022 and the rating of access to public information in public institutions. “According to the monitoring conducted by IDFI in 2022, the quality of access to public information in the country has decreased significantly compared to the previous year. The rate of responses (58%) from public institutions in 2022 is the lowest observed since 2010. There was an established practice of a critical threshold of 80% on the rate of responses after 2013, which was successfully maintained until 2022”. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

The U.S. Embassy in Georgia releases the statement regarding the current situation in the country: “The Georgian people have, once again, spoken clearly that the only choice for Georgia is a secure and prosperous European future. We welcome Georgian Dream’s decision to withdraw both draft laws on “foreign influence.” We urge the ruling party to officially retract these bills and not pursue further this type of legislation, which is incompatible with Georgian and European values and the protection of fundamental freedoms. We encourage Georgia’s political leaders to work together in earnest on the reforms urgently needed to obtain the EU candidate status that Georgia’s citizens overwhelmingly desire”. Read more… Source: The The U.S. Embassy’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. The ruling Georgian Dream party has passed the first version of the draft foreign agent law in its first reading in parliament. Tens of thousands of people gathered outside to protest what has been widely condemned as a Russian-style law that threatens Georgia’s democracy. Riot police were immediately deployed as the bill was passed, deploying water cannons and pepper spray to clear the sides of the parliament. Numerous arrests were made. HRHT supports the protesting activists and ensures payment of fines to those arrested. The small budget mobilized by the organization will be used until it runs out. Therefore, we are starting to collect donations here. Account Numbers: GEL: GE41TB7249036080100001 USD/EUR: GE85TB7249036180100001 Recipient: THE HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE TBILISI Description: No to Russian law Learn more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. “Georgian Dream” decided to “recall” the draft law “On the transparency of foreign influence” that had already been passed in the first introduction, which caused mass protests. Women’s Information Center would like to explain to the public „that according to the regulations of the Parliament, a legislative initiative can be declared accepted or rejected by a motivated decision. According to Article 158 of the Regulation, a legislative initiative will be considered rejected if the bill fails in the second reading. According to clauses 16 and 17 of the regulation, a draft law that fails to gather the necessary number of votes for its adoption in the second reading is considered a failure. In such a case, a resolution on the inadmissibility of the draft law is drawn up in the second reading. In addition, if the draft law failed in the second reading at the plenary session, it will not be put to the vote within one month of the session period at the request of the initiator. Also, a draft law that fails to collect the required number of votes 3 times as a result of voting in the second reading during one session will be considered rejected. As for the second version of the draft law, all initiators must sign the project recall. Accordingly, the majority must throw out the law, and “people power” must reject it with their own signatures“. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. European Union in Georgia welcomes the announcement by the ruling party to withdraw the draft legislation on “foreign influence”. "We encourage all political leaders in Georgia to resume pro-European reforms, in an inclusive and constructive way and in line with the 12 priorities for Georgia to achieve candidate status". Read more… Source: EU’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Signing ceremonies of new projects, funded within the GGP Grassroots Human Security Grant Program of the Embassy of Japan, continue. Since the independence of Georgia, Japan has provided 200 grants within the GGP Program, totalling over 20 million USD, in addition to other grant schemes. The GGP projects are excellent examples of successful cooperation between NGOs and state institutions and a great reminder of the positive role civil society can play in community development. We want to thank all the dedicated persons and state institutions, who worked hard to develop the GGP projects during these years. Read more… Source: The embassy’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The proposed 'foreign agent law' in Georgia poses a significant threat to freedom of speech and democracy and Georgia's future with the Euro-Atlantic aspiration. “We strongly urge the Parliament to withdraw this law!” Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Media Advocacy Coalition appeals to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Shalva Papuashvili, to immediately restore the accreditation of journalists in the Parliament, to ensure an unhindered and safe working environment for media representatives in the legislative body, to protect their freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution, especially during the upcoming discussions of the Russian law scheduled for this week. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. "Helping Hand" will hold its annual Volunteerism Fair in Tbilisi on March 10, 2023. With the support of Peace Corps volunteers, the event was established many years ago. The event's goal is to promote volunteering as one of the most potent instruments for the development of a democratic society, as well as to encourage the active participation of young people and citizens in general in volunteering programs. At the event, volunteers, including students and those from schools, can register and learn more about specific projects. Up to March 3 of this year, organizations interested in participating in the Volunteerism Fair can register here... The National University of Georgia is the event's partner. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

CSS appeals to its co-founder, Deputy Head of the Foreign Relations Committee, George Khelashvili to vote against the law that will deeply harms the activities of the organization (similar to other NGOs) he established and thrived for its development for years! Read more… Source: css.ge

Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs releases the statement and mentions that, the initiated draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” is defining CSOs as “foreign agents”. The draft law is against the Georgian people’s steadfast European aspirations and International Human Rights obligations. It will negatively affect Norwegian-Georgian cooperation.  Norway MFA urges lawmakers to act in the interest of democracy. Learn more… Source: twitter.com

Tbilisi. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) believes that the draft laws, especially the one registered on February 27, grossly violate freedoms of expression and association guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia. Also, it contradicts the practice established by the Constitutional Court of Georgia regarding the “legitimacy test” of the restriction of rights. “…While there are many challenges in the country and Georgia is preparing to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership, it is not clear which point of the EU’s 12-point plan requires the adoption of a law on transparency of foreign influence, especially since there is actually nothing about it in the explanatory notes. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) emphasizes that European Integration is a strong will of the citizens of our country and the Parliament of Georgia, within its competence, should do everything for it.  At the same time, the priority of population, according to numerous social surveys, is solving acute labour and social problems, which is also an important part of the European integration. The Georgian Trade Unions Confederation (GTUC) calls on the Parliament not to support the draft law on “agents of foreign influence” and to continue working to fulfill the EU’s 12-point plan!” Read more… Source: gtuc.ge

Tbilisi. Commissioner urges the Georgian Parliament to reject the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence”. “While transparency may represent a legitimate concern, it should not be achieved to the detriment of the effective enjoyment by non-commercial organisations and media outlets of their rights and freedoms and of the exercise of their legitimate activities. Reporting requirements should be set up on an equal and non-biased basis regardless of the sources of income. Any interference in this field must respect the principles of necessity and proportionality as established by the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.” Commissioner’s letter in English… Source: www.coe.int

Tbilisi. Transparency International Georgia’s lawyers helped Zaur Shonia to win an administrative dispute at the Poti City Court. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Comparative analysis of the draft Law of Georgia on Transparency of Foreign Influence (the Draft Law) regarding its compliance with international law and European standards (Analysis).  The analysis was prepared by the International Center of Non-Profit Law (ICNL) and European Center for Non-Profit Law (ECNL). Brief version is available here – ICNL-Briefer-of-the-Georgian-Draft-Law-on-Transparency-of-Foreign-Influence Full analysis... Source: ewmi-activism.org

Samegrelo. The women-led non-governmental organisation “Hands for Peace” hosted a gala exhibition in Zugdidi to present the results of a “Handicraft for Social Change” project, supported by the EU and UNDP through the EU4Dialogue initiative. The EU and UNDP support allowed 40 conflict-affected women to join a training programme in tailoring, embroidery, knitting and macramé to develop professional careers, earn a living, improve livelihoods and increase self-reliance. Six training participants already found jobs in different local enterprises and one of the beneficiaries was successful in applying for a grant programme. Read more… Source: www.undp.org

US Ambassador Degnan about the draft "foreign influence" laws - "These laws are aimed at blocking Georgians who are helping other Georgians. These are Georgians who are trying to address problems in their communities and provide services, whether it’s on climate change, or for business associations, or for young people, or people with disabilities, legal assistance to people who are in some cases in desperate need.  These laws seem to be clearly in line with Russian law, which is aimed at stigmatizing civil society. It’s aimed at silencing dissenting voices. When you look at what’s going on in Russia right now, you see that Russian law has been very effective in silencing civil society and dissenting voices. Georgia has fought hard to build its democracy, to protect its freedoms. These laws will undermine that progress that Georgia has spent so many years building. That is why you hear concerns from the United Nations, from the European Union, from the United States, from many of Georgia’s long-standing friends, who’ve been working with Georgia for over 30 years, to help improve Georgia’s freedoms, protect Georgia’s freedoms, and build the institutions. So that is why people are very concerned. Georgia does not need this law". Source: US Embassy

Tbilisi. Spring semester of academic program: Disinformation and Propaganda Studies: History, Theories and Ways of Debunking will start on February 27, 2023. The educational program is jointly organised by the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the University of Georgia (UG). The program involves 24 participants representing various universities, regional media outlets, civil society organisations and public institutions. During the fall semester, the participants successfully passed 3 academic courses. During the spring semester, the following four courses are offered under the program: Disinformation and Society Collective memory of nations and its role in Georgian politics and international relations. Archives, Facts, and Media Strategic thinking Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Ned Price, State Department Spokesperson: "We are aware of the draft legislation in Georgian parliament and are deeply concerned about its implications for freedom of speech and democracy in Georgia. We have expressed these concerns [directly] to [our interlocutors in] the Government of Georgia.  The proposed law would stigmatize and silence independent voices of citizens of Georgia who are dedicated to building a better future for their communities. We believe such a law could potentially undermine Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.  Statements that this legislation is based on the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in the United States are patently false. In fact, this draft legislation appears to be based on similar Russian and Hungarian legislation [not on FARA or any other American legislation]."