Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative

Project Description

The project improves the environment for civil society in Georgia, empowering civil society organisations (CSOs) and increasing their accountability towards citizens. As a result of the initiative, Georgian CSOs become more sustainable and benefit from diversified sources of funding, including the transparent state funding mechanisms and vibrant Corporate Social Responsibility culture. They gain more positive public perception and acknowledgment from different state and non-state actors. Further, civic participation increases, especially in regions and among youth. Finally, CSOs across Georgia are able to influence local and national policies and take more active role in monitoring of ongoing reforms. During the lifetime of the project, over 110 activities will be implemented, targeting especially the regions of Georgia and the youth. It will award up to 80 sub-grants and engage more than 2500 civil society actors across the country.

Specific Objective

The overall objective the project is to enhance the sustainability of civil society in Georgia with an improved operational environment, empowered CSOs, increased accountability of CSOs to constituencies, and amplified linkages to other actors, thereby contributing to policy dialogue and development.
More specifically, Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative strives to meet four objectives:
– To increase financial sustainability of CSOs through diversified income like state funding, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), voluntarism, and beneficial taxation;
– To enhance the capacity, accountability and credibility of CSOs for effectively advocating interests and political, economic, social and cultural rights of their constituencies;
– To strengthen regional civic participation through better cooperation of CSOs with local media, businesses, and authorities and
– To support joint approaches of CSOs in policy dialogue towards sustainable development on local and national level, and towards promoting reforms in the context of the EU association process.

Expected Results

The Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative strives to achieve the following results:
1) State funding mechanisms are transparent, operational and stimulate philanthropy. A vibrant CSR culture takes root. CSOs effectively diversify their funding sources.
2) The Georgian public has gained a positive perception of civil society as CSOs apply international standards of transparency and accountability towards all stakeholders and are well acknowledged by them.
3) Civic participation and local support have increased due to effective management, and participatory leadership of CSOs.
4) CSOs across Georgia influence local and national policy, take over an active role in the EUAA process, and monitor reforms.

Map of Project Activities

Activities & beneficiaries