Civic Environment Report 2026: Georgia

Since late 2024, Georgian civil society has faced steadily mounting pressure from the Georgian Dream government. A series of laws modelled on Russia’s “foreign agents” framework now forces foreign-funded organisations to register, and since 2025 they need prior government consent to receive foreign grants. Meanwhile, state money has been steered towards loyal organisations. The authorities have frozen the bank accounts of watchdog groups, demanded donor and staff data, and publicly branded critics as agents of hostile foreign interests. Established organisations have shut down as a result, and only about a third of regional community groups active in 2024 were still operating a year later. Taking part in civic life has also become risky. Protesters face heavy fines, up to 60 days’ detention and now criminal charges.