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]."

The United Nations in Georgia expresses profound concern that the adoption of the draft Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence would risk impeding the work of civil society and media and the essential contributions they make to Georgian democracy. "Civil society organizations in Georgia have been at the forefront of delivering essential services to the most vulnerable and helping protect their human rights. Stigmatizing their work risks leaving persons with disabilities, internally displaced, minorities, older persons, women, youth and children, survivors of domestic violence and other people in need without effective assistance and support". more... source: www.undp.org

PACE co-rapporteurs for monitoring of obligations and commitments by Georgia: “The draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” that was tabled by the People’s Power Faction raises several concerns with regard to its compatibility with democratic and Human Rights standards, said PACE rapporteurs on Georgia. We urge all other political factions in Georgia not to support this draft law that would have a chilling effect if adopted, they underlined.” PACE - Parliamentary Assembly is an institution of the Council of Europe that consists of parliamentarians from the national parliaments of the Council of Europe’s 46 member states. Read more… Source: Council of Europe Office in Georgia

Statement: "The proposed draft law on “transparency of foreign influence” raises serious concerns. Creating and maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations and ensuring media freedom is at the core of democracy. It is also key to the EU accession process and part of the 12 priorities, notably priority 7 on media freedom and priority 10 on the involvement of civil society. The European Union is supporting Georgia in its reform efforts, responding to the country’s own aspirations for continued development and EU membership, as enshrined in Georgia’s Constitution. The draft law’s adoption would be inconsistent with these aspirations and with EU norms and values. We encourage the political leaders in Georgia to adopt and implement reforms that are in line with the stated objective of joining the European Union, as supported by a large majority of Georgia’s citizens." Read more... source:www.eeas.europa.eu

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

Tbilisi. The petition “Russian law is not the will of Georgia” was published on the web-pages of Media and Civil Society Organizations. “We, the people of Georgia, strongly oppose the bill initiated by the members of the Parliamentary Majority, also endorsed by the Speaker of Parliament and other MPs. We declare that the attempts to adopt this Russian bill attack not only the independent civil society organizations and the critical media, but the people of Georgia themselves. This bill aims to leave defenseless the abused children and women; people with disabilities, minorities, scientists, workers, and the youth; to not provide assistance to the socially vulnerable families, farmers, miners, internally displaced, homeless, illegally laid off, detained, and other people fighting for their rights; to mute the voice of the people living in the peripheries of the country that can only communicate their troubles through the independent media. This draft legislation acts as a response to the numerous facts of violence, corruption, lawlessness, and arbitrary execution of the laws that we, the civil society and the critical media, study and make public. When Putin adopted a similar law in Russia, many organizations chose to disband rather than comply with its requirements. Those that continued to operate faced increased control, harassment, and repressions. This is not the type of governance that we have fought for many years to achieve, and Russian law is certainly not the type of governance that Georgian citizens aspire to have in our country. Adopting this bill will amount to an attack on the key Georgian values of dignity, independence and solidarity with our communities and fellow people. Adopting this bill will amount to an onslaught not only against civil society and our democracy but will also damage our aspirations of Euro-Atlantic development. This law will obstruct our path to membership of the EU as this law was found illegal in the EU. Moreover, the execution of this law will be impossible without causing insurmountable harm to hundreds of thousands of citizens of Georgia”. Read more… Source: gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office is echoing the draft law of Georgia "On transparency of foreign influence" and considers that the proposed document does not comply with international or domestic human rights standards and is incompatible with the basic principles of a modern democratic state. “Special attention should be paid to the fact that the bill creates the basis for the collection and publication of a large amount of personal data on persons considered to be "agents of foreign influence" or those in varying relationships with such persons. In addition to potentially imposing an unjustified organizational burden on organizations and detracting them from their core activities,it may contravene the right to privacy by creating the possibility of processing and disclosing the personal data of any individual who has any form of employment or service contractual relationship with these organizations. It should be noted that ensuring the transparency of the activities of associations constitutes an important legitimate aim and pertinent legal regulation for achieving this goal, as well as the tool for collecting, analyzing and reporting information on foreign aid (eAIMS), is not unknown to Georgia as well. However, in order for the proposed interference with human rights to be considered justified, it must be necessary due to "pressing social need" and at the same time, the restrictive measures and accompanying procedures must not be disproportionate, which, according to the assessment of the Public Defender's Office, is not met by the draft law”. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR Initiative," LDA Georgia conducted training on the importance, role, stages, methods and specifics of advocacy for Sunday school students of the Georgian Young Lawyers Association of the Kutaisi branch. The trainings are being conducted by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project “Civil Society STAR  Initiative,” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Civic IDEA shares the statement regarding the draft law on non-governmental organizations initiated by the political party “The People’s Power”. “In the beginning, it must be unequivocally said that the draft law is dangerous and discriminatory and significantly distances us from the declared goal of joining the European Union; therefore, it goes against the constitution and the choice of the Georgian people". Read more… Source: civicidea.ge

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. Read the latest contribution from Rondeli Foundation's intern, Rachel Mohr, Civil Society Development & Repression. Read more… Source: gfsis.org.ge

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. European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia support Parliamentary Democracy in Georgia and assist in its institutional development. “On 4 February, the parliament staff discussed a unified standard of institutional policy planning, monitoring and reporting. Theoretical and practical training will assist the parliament staff in better managing the entire cycle of institutional policy: analyse a specific sector, determine strategic policy directions, develop an action plan, engage stakeholders and, finally, effectively communicate results to the public”. Read more… https://www.facebook.com/UNDPGeorgia/posts/561937849305769  Source: The organization’s page on the social network Photo: Vladimir Valishvili/UNDP

Tbilisi. The European Commission has published its analytical reports on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’s alignment with the EU acquis. These reports complement our 2022 opinion the the countries’ EU membership applications, provide the state of play and offer guidance on the work ahead. More information… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

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...

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...

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. USAID is committed to supporting young people in reaching their full potential in their chosen career paths, including in the globally growing and in-demand IT industry. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Findings of the recent Eurobarometer survey show continued positive public perception for EU support to Ukraine among EU citizens.  The survey also shows that measures taken by the EU as a response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continue to get a robust support among citizens.  Read the press release See the survey

Tbilisi. In 2022, ASB Georgia, along with its partners, successfully implemented "UKR Cash Transfer Program", which aims to aid Ukrainian families in Georgia. In the period of September-December, total of 8,793 vouchers were distributed, which amounted to 2,066,355 Gel. Monthly cash vouchers addressed families’ immediate needs and targeted vulnerable groups: Persons with disability, families with elderly people, families with many children and single headed households. The program is financially supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. Are you a high school or university student that is interested in impacting another’s life for the better? Would you like to volunteer your time for the good of others? Project Mestumre aims to give you this opportunity by partnering you with an older person living in an elderly home. MAC Georgia will provide you with the preparation and training you need before pairing you with an elderly person at one of our partner centers. Over the course of six months you’ll meet once a week with your person, offering them conversation, interaction, and friendship. If interested in this meaningful and memorable opportunity, please register now. Read more… Source: The project’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...