**Georgian Dream Government Creates New Agency to Control State Grants**
The Georgian Dream government has established a new agency, the State Grant Management Agency, to oversee state-funded grants given to civil society organizations. This development comes on the heels of controversial amendments passed by the GD Parliament to the country’s Law on Grants.
According to a decree signed by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on April 15, the new agency is classified as a Legal Entity of Public Law (LEPL). It will be responsible for distributing state-funded grants to civil society organizations. The agency’s chairperson, Tamar Zodelava, was appointed by Kobakhidze on April 22.
**Restricting Western Donor Grants**
The creation of the State Grant Management Agency should be seen in the context of the government’s recent steps towards restricting grants from Western donors and replacing them with state grants to desirable organizations. The amendments passed by the GD Parliament require foreign donors to obtain government approval before awarding grants to local organizations.
Civil society groups have denounced these changes as part of a broader attempt by the Georgian Dream government to suppress dissent. NGO representatives called the amendments “an act of persecution against the Georgian people,” accusing the government of leaving citizens defenseless before the ruling party’s punitive system.
**Pro- Government Propaganda Targets French Embassy**
In a recent development, pro-government propaganda mouthpieces targeted the French Embassy’s decision to award a grant to the Soviet Past Research Laboratory (SovLab), a Georgian civil society organization that studies Georgia’s Soviet past. The grant was awarded just one day before the new grant law was enacted.
SovLab has a history of being subjected to attacks from the Georgian Dream government and GD officials, including GD Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. The French Embassy said the organization had been selected as a winner of its 2025 civil society grant competition.
**Criticism and Controversy**
The grant drew criticism from Georgian Dream lawmakers, who pointed to the alleged political affiliations of the organization’s members. They claimed that such grants are being used for political purposes. The controversy surrounding the grant highlights the government’s efforts to restrict Western donor support and control civil society organizations in Georgia.
**What Does it Mean?**
The establishment of the State Grant Management Agency and the amendments to the Law on Grants suggest a growing trend towards restricting civil liberties and dissent in Georgia. The government’s actions are aimed at controlling state-funded grants and suppressing opposition voices. This move has significant implications for the country’s democratic development and human rights record.
As the government continues to consolidate power, it is essential to monitor these developments closely and hold them accountable for their actions. Civil society organizations must remain vigilant in defending their rights and freedoms, even in the face of increasing pressure from the authorities.
**What’s Next?**
The future of state-funded grants and civil society organizations in Georgia remains uncertain. As the government continues to tighten its grip on power, it is essential to track these developments closely and advocate for the protection of human rights and democratic values.
