Georgia is transitioning to a Government-Owned, Non-Profit Organization (GONGO) model.

Georgia's Non-Governmental Sector Faces Tightened Government Control

The independent non-governmental organization (NGO) sector in Georgia is bracing for increased government oversight, as the Georgian parliament has approved amendments to a law on grant-making that grants a new government agency the authority to fund and regulate NGO programs.

These amendments, combined with the "foreign agents" law that imposes stringent reporting requirements on NGOs receiving funds from abroad, effectively places the government in control of the non-governmental sector by directing the flow of funding. The legislation is set to take effect following presidential approval, a move widely viewed as a mere formality.

In a parliamentary explanatory note, it was stated that the initiative aims to create a public law entity under governmental control, as a significant portion of funding for public organizations in Georgia originates from foreign actors who allegedly set the agenda for these organizations' activities. The new law allows the State Grants Management Agency to provide support solely to NGOs that work within the country's development priorities, potentially favoring those that align with governmental views.

The new legislation, coupled with the Trump administration's decision to halt most foreign assistance grants, has raised concerns that independent NGOs and news organizations may find themselves in a stranglehold. Observers in Tbilisi worry that the government may establish government-organized NGOs (GONGOs) to outshine independent non-profits.

Foreign Policy published a commentary stating that some GONGOs act as the repressive arms of governments, while others use democratic practices to subtly undermine democracy at home. These GONGOs, funded by repressive regimes, lobby international institutions and often pose as citizen groups with noble intentions, when in fact, they serve only as agents of their governmental backers.

The Georgian government has allocated just over $7 million to seed the state NGO fund, and the State Grants Management Agency will hold the power to distribute the money as it sees fit. The agency will also have the authority to issue regulatory acts to ensure the smooth implementation of its activities, potentially driving fines or administrative harassment against organizations or individuals that government officials find objectionable, thus hindering their ability to monitor or critique government actions.

One organization that may find itself under scrutiny is The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA), a prominent rights watchdog that has regularly challenged Georgian Dream's authority and the legitimacy of recent elections. GYLA has condemned these amendments, as well as other recent legislation, alleging that parliament is rubber-stamping government directives without proper procedural measures.

Meanwhile, Georgian Dream leaders are purifying the state bureaucracy of individuals seen as blocking their agenda. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has reportedly targeted for dismissal all those within the municipal bureaucracy who opposed Georgian Dream's decision to halt the European Union accession process. Increased fines for administrative violations by up to 10 times are also being sought to curb the ongoing street protest movement in Tbilisi, as watchdog groups document criminal cases against anti-government protesters who are likely to face unfair trials.

These new laws, if implemented, could fundamentally reshape the NGO sector in Georgia, potentially eroding democratic institutions and civil society. The decreased autonomy for NGOs and increased government control could lead to a decline in diverse voices and views within the sector, strain relations with international partners, and have long-term implications for democratic governance and civil society in the country.

The new legislation in Georgia, which includes the foreign agents law and amendments to a law on grant-making, potentially shifts finance and control from the non-governmental sector to the government, raising concerns about the independence of news organizations and NGOs.
As the government allocates funds for a state NGO fund and has the power to regulate and distribute the money, concerns arise about the potential favoritism towards NGOs that align with governmental views, affecting general-news, finance, business, politics, crime-and-justice, and other sectors.
The increased government control over the non-governmental sector could lead to a decline in diverse voices and views, straining relationships with international partners, and having long-term implications for democratic governance and civil society, eroding the very essence of a healthy and balanced general-news landscape.

Georgia is transitioning to a Government-Owned, Non-Profit Organization (GONGO) model.