GD Considers Amendments to Limit NGO Involvement in Decision-Making
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, February 28, 2025
The Georgian Dream has begun considering a legislative package in Parliament, that would exclude non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the public decision-making process. The proposed amendments, which are part of 14 different laws, represent a joint initiative by the ruling Georgian Dream party and the People's Power faction.
The Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules is scheduled to discuss the issue on February 28th. The proposed changes would impact the Rules of Procedure of Parliament and other laws that currently require mandatory NGO participation in public decision-making.
According to GD, the amendments aim to address what they describe as the failure of NGO involvement to achieve its intended purpose. "The existing reality has shown that the mandatory participation of NGOs cannot fulfill the real purpose that the will of the legislator served," the statement reads.
The bill's authors also cited recent global developments, particularly those surrounding USAID, as a reason for the changes. They argue that NGO involvement in decision-making processes has hindered effective state governance. "A large part of non-governmental organizations is funded from abroad. Accordingly, they are organizations that carry out the interests of the funding states and organizations," the bill's authors stated. "Their actions in the public decision-making process are not based on the interests of the local community, but serve the political and economic agenda of external forces."
