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Crackdown on Democracy – Challenges to Civil Society in Georgia

Mahmoud Sayed / Unsplash
Mahmoud Sayed / Unsplash

Georgian civil society faces increasing pressure by the government. How can it counter the repression and what measures are needed internationally?

This event is in the past.

Georgia's democratic future is in danger. In recent months, the Georgian ruling party ‘Georgian Dream’ has introduced new restrictive measures targeting civil society, the media and minorities, put negotiations with the EU on hold and responded to peaceful protests with repression. In June 2025, the controversial law ‘Foreign Agents Registration Act’ (FARA) is due to come into force – another serious blow to civil society. At the same time, the international community has yet to take decisive action.

The Exchange Lab on 4 June 2025, will bring together Georgian and German civil society representatives, experts, and political analysts to discuss recent developments in Georgia, explore ways to support democratic engagement and human rights, and examine Germany’s role.

Speakers

Inputs

Ekaterine Basilaia – Director at the Center for Media, Information and Social Research (CMIS)

Dr Shota Kakabadze – Policy Analyst at the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP)

Giorgi Mukhigulishvili – Lead Researcher in Energy Security, Climate Change and Sustainability Studies at World Experience for Georgia (WEG)

Nikoloz Simonishvili – Attorney at Law and board member of Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA)

Ann Tsurtsumia-Zurabashvili – Civil Society and Governance Expert

Comments

Walter Kaufmann – Head of East and Southeast Europe Division, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.

Dr Franziska Smolnik – Senior Fellow, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)

Moderation

Laura Worsch, Institut für Europäische Politik e.V.

Venue and time

Wednesday, 4 June, 09:30-12:00 CEST

Location: Berlin – the exact location will be communicated upon registration.

Registration together with coffee and snacks will open at 9:30. A light lunch will be served after the event.

The Exchange Lab is part of the GEO4EU exchange project, organised by the Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP). The project is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany as part of the Eastern Partnership Programme.

We look forward to welcoming you to the discussion. Please note that the event will take place under Chatham House rules.

Registration

Team

Laura Worsch
Research Associate
Person
Team
Tamar Chomakhidze
IEP Alumna
Person
Team
Lara Wagner
IEP Alumna
Person
Team

About the GEO4EU – Georgian Civil Society for EU Integration project: Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023. However, the path to EU membership is challenging. In this crucial geopolitical moment, the project GEO4EU supports Georgian civil society in the country's EU integration process.

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Image copyright: Mahmoud Sayed / Unsplash

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