Georgia tightens grip on foreign funding for parties, NGOs

On April 16, Georgia’s parliament passed amendments tightening control over foreign funding to political parties and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Under the new provisions of the Law on Political Associations of Citizens, political parties will no longer be allowed to receive foreign donations in the form of activities such as lectures or seminars, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media outlets.

Additionally, international donors will be required to seek approval from the Georgian government before awarding grants to NGOs.

Irakli Kirtskhalia, Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, explained during the plenary session that accepting a grant without prior government consent will carry legal consequences.

Oversight of the grant approval process will be carried out by an independent Anti-Corruption Bureau.

To recall, in May 2024, Georgia enacted the "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence," mandating that non-commercial organizations and media outlets receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad register as entities "pursuing the interests of a foreign power." 

The law faced significant opposition. Former president Salome Zourabichvili vetoed it, labelling it a "Russian law" that contradicts Georgia's constitution and European standards. However, the ruling Georgian Dream party overrode the veto. 

International bodies criticized the legislation. The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights deemed it incompatible with democratic standards and human rights laws. The Council of Europe's Venice Commission recommended its repeal, citing threats to freedoms of association, expression, and privacy. UN experts warned it would have a chilling effect on civil society and media. ​

Domestically, the law sparked mass protests. Most NGOs refused to register under the new requirements, viewing the law as a tool to suppress dissent. The European Union froze €30 million in military aid to Georgia and signalled that the country's EU accession process is on hold. ​

By Aghakazim Guliyev