Government, Civil Society, Media & Academic Resources

Find valuable contacts and connections to official and civil society organizations, and to media and academic sources in Georgia. 

Please contact GeorgianStudies@fas.harvard.edu with any questions or concerns, as well as suggestions for the Government, Civil Society, Media & Academic Resources. You can also contact RA Nini Sikharulidze directly at nsikharulidze@college.harvard.edu. 

Contents 

Official Government Websites

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Civil Society Organizations

Global Health & Wellness

Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)

CENN is a regional development organization working to protect the environment through fostering sustainable development and green growth throughout the South Caucasus. It specializes in a number of areas including climate change, sustainable management of resources, and economic development.  

Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry (GIP/Tbilisi)

The foundation Global Initiative on Psychiatry Tbilisi is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that assists professional communities, NGOs, international agencies, governments, and other institutions in the Caucasus and Central Asia to improve rights-based mental health care. 

Georgia Red Cross Society

The Georgia Red Cross Society is a voluntary, humanitarian, non-governmental and independent organization. It works alongside public authorities providing humanitarian aid according to the Fundamental Principles of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA/Georgia)

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, started its assistance to Georgia in 1993 with the contraceptive supply project and a basic agenda to address the reproductive health concerns of the population. Established in 1999, UNFPA operations and programs have been expanded during more than 15 years of partnership with the Georgian Government, and with civil society organizations and donors.

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Human Rights & Policy Development

Equality Movement

Equality Movement advocates for the protection of minority rights by providing social and legal services based on the needs of the beneficiaries. The organization aims to conduct interventions focused on policy advocacy and improving social awareness.

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA)

GYLA advocates for the protection of human rights in Georgia. It provides legal consultation free of charge for up to 50 thousand individuals annually, and represents dozens of individuals before the courts and other administrative bodies to help protect their rights. The organization also addresses the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the European Court of Human Rights every year with strategically important cases for the protection of human rights. 

Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)

Founded in 1994 as a part of the Open Society Foundations’ global network, the Open Society Georgia Foundation works to build a strong civil society capable of holding the government accountable. The Foundation drives forward important policy debates and reforms.

Human Rights House Tbilisi

Human Rights House Tbilisi is a membership-based organization that unites civil society organizations working in the field of human rights. The member organizations have developed a joint strategy focusing on protecting and strengthening human rights defenders and human rights organizations, and raising awareness on human rights issues. 

Rondeli Foundation – Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies

Established in 1998, the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies is an independent, non-profit policy think tank dedicated to helping improve public policy decision-making in Georgia through research and analysis.

Social Justice Center

The Social Justice Center is a left-wing organization working on human rights and social justice. The organization aims to reconstruct democracy through the identification of social, economic and political injustice in the country. Through bottom-up democracy strategies, the Social Justice Center works on developing a political and social environment for subaltern groups.

United Nations Association of Georgia (UNA/Georgia)

The United Nations Association of Georgia is a local nonprofit that has worked since 1995 to encourage, support and safeguard the democratic aspirations of the people of Georgia. The organization works to protect human rights, promote freedom of speech, advance good governance, and stimulate meaningful national discussions through encouraging citizen participation in the processes and decisions that affect their lives.

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Democratic Development and Change

Center for Social Sciences (CSS)

The Center for Social Sciences works towards the development of evidence-based research in the social sciences in Georgia. The mission of the center is to prepare a highly qualified next generation of social science scholars and practitioners, and thus facilitate the formation of civil society in Georgia. Today, CSS also promotes the application of social science research on particularly relevant topics in modern Georgia, such as foreign policy issues, EU integration, education, gender equality. 

Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG)

The Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) is a non-partisan, impartial development, whose mission is to promote good governance, sustainable inclusive economic growth and active citizenship for improved quality of life. 

Civil Society Institute

The mission of the Civil Society Institute is to promote sustainable positive change to eradicate inequality, marginalization and poverty in the country. The goals of the Civil Society Institute include developing civil society, increasing public participation, civic activism, and advocating for democratic values, including the rule of law and sustainable economic development. 

Council of Europe Office in Georgia

Since the introduction of consultative status for INGOs in 1952, the Council of Europe has developed even closer relations with NGOs as representatives of civil society. The introduction of participatory status in 2003 has enabled INGOs to increase active participation in the policies and programs of the Council of Europe, and to reinforce cooperation between the Council of Europe and the various associations in member States. 

European Endowment for Democracy (EED)

The European Endowment for Democracy is an independent, grant-making organization, established in 2013 by the European Union (EU) and EU member states as an autonomous International Trust Fund to foster democracy in the European Neighborhood (Eastern Partnership – EaP – and Middle East and North Africa – MENA), the Western Balkans, Turkey and beyond. EED supports civil society organizations, pro-democracy movements, civic and political activists, and independent media platforms and journalists working towards a pluralistic, democratic political system. 

Europe-Georgia Institute (EGI)

The Europe-Georgia Institute is a leading civil society organization in Georgia dedicated to strengthening the foundations of Georgian democracy and defending Georgia’s European aspirations. The organization advances democracy, the rule of law and free markets in Georgia and the Caucasus.  

Georgia Resident Mission (GRM) / Asian Development Bank (ADB)

ADB empowers Georgia to become a regional transport, trade, agribusiness, and logistics hub. Its goals include the creation of liveable cities, and increased financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises and social services.

Institute of Tolerance and Diversity (TDI)

The Institute for Tolerance and Diversity was established in 2013. The goals of the organization are to develop a culture of freedom of religion and tolerance, promote civic integration, assure the protection of minority rights, facilitate intercultural dialogue, and research state policy in the field of protection of minority rights.

International Center for Peace and Integration (ICPI)

The International Center for Peace and Integration is a Georgian not-for-profit nongovernmental organization with a mission to provide a platform for the development of self-aware, progressive and engaged youth in civil society by promoting democratic values, peace-building and social entrepreneurship for a more sustainable society. 

Media Development Foundation (MDF)

Media Development Foundation is a non-governmental organization that aims to promote the protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms in order to build an open, inclusive and pluralistic society, to support professional and institutional development of the media in order to establish media accountability systems.

Transparency International Georgia (TI/Georgia)

Transparency International Georgia was established in 2000 as a local non-governmental organization committed to the promotion of transparency and accountability in Georgian society. The organization aims to assist the Georgian government and the broader public in facilitating reform in sectors where corruption exists and to promote good governance.

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Media

Television Broadcasting

The majority of Georgians use television as their main source of information. Georgian television is often biased, supportive of either government or opposition interests. The following is a list of several popular television channels. 

Ajara TV, a public Georgian television channel launched in 2013. This channel focuses on the Achara region of the country. 

First Channel (1TV), a public Georgian television channel launched in 1956 and operated by Georgian Public Broadcasting. This channel can reach 85% of the population of Georgia.

Formula TV, a private television channel owned and operated by LTD Formula founded in 2019. 

Imedi TV, a privately-held broadcasting television network founded in 2001. 

Mtavari Arkhi, a private television channel owned and operated by Main Channel Broadcasting Company, and founded in 2019.

Rustavi 2, a privately-held broadcasting television network founded in 1994.  

TV Pirveli, a private television channel owned and operated by LTD TV Pirveli founded in 2015.

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Online Media

Agenda.ge, launched by the Government of Georgia in 2013, an English-speaking news platform that covers news of Georgia, from politics and economy to art, sports, science and culture. 

Civil Georgia, a Tbilisi-based free daily news website operated by Georgian NGO UN Association of Georgia. It was founded in July 2001 and offers news stories and analytical articles on Georgia’s political life in Georgian, English, and Russian.

Eurasianet, an independent news organization that covers news from and about the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Coverage is in both English and Russian. Eurasianet is based at Columbia University’s Harriman Institute and funded by Google, the Open Society Foundations, the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the National Endowment for Democracy, Columbia University’s Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies and other grant-making institutions. 

Georgia Today, an independent weekly news provider. As a leading English-language platform, Georgia Today provides English-speaking society with information about the political and business environment in Georgia. 

Liberal, an independent print and online publication launched in 2009 with the financial support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation. "Liberal" offers reports and covers marginalized topics. 

Media Checker, a media criticism and analysis platform that analyzes journalistic products published online, and on TV and in print media. 

RealPolitik, Governance Monitoring Center (GMC), an impartial and independent media platform that combines news and analytical information, and covers the Caucasus, Europe, America, China and the Middle East. 

The Legislative Herald of Georgia, a legal entity of public law operated by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, and established in 1988. The Legislative Herald of Georgia offers a protected, constantly updated official website where users can view normative acts adopted by all Georgian agencies, international treaties, Constitutional Court decisions, local self-government acts and public announcements.

U.S. Embassy of Georgia News & Events provides coverage of significant events concerning the U.S.-Georgian partnership in both Georgian and English.

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Print Media

Akhali taoba, the website of the newspaper akhali taoba launched in 2017. Coverage of regional and international news in Georgian. 

Alia, daily newspaper founded in 1995, includes news, updates, and articles. Coverage in Georgian. 

Asaval-dasavali, newspaper founded in 1992 with digital copies available on the website in Georgian. 

Georgia Today (Tbilisi), a bi-weekly English-language paper, published in Georgia Today and Georgia Today Business versions, first launched in 2000. 

Kviris palitra, offers daily news and analytical articles on current events in Georgia and the world.

Rezonansi, founded in 1990 featuring local and international news, with blogs, surveys and articles in Georgian. 

The Financial (Tbilisi), a daily newspaper published by Intelligence Group LLC Georgia. Website runs in English and Georgian.

The Georgian Times (Tbilisi), the first English-language paper founded in 1993, and owned by Georgian Times Media Holding. Coverage in Georgian, English, and Russian.  

Versia, founded in 2007. Main themes include politics, economics, culture, society, and justice.

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Radio

Radio Ar Daidardo is a music radio station of Radio Fortuna. It broadcasts Georgian music and helps popularize national folk music. 

Radio Chveneburi is a new radio station founded in 2017. It aims to popularize Georgian national music and culture, and support small businesses. 

Radio Fortuna is a 22-year-old radio station, mainly focusing on information about politics, tourism, economics, healthcare, culture and sports. 

Radio Fortuna Plus, one of the leading radio stations in Georgia, broadcasts news, interviews and music. 

Radio Georgian Times mainly focuses on the topics of society, politics, law and economics. It also broadcasts a series of shows on the themes relevant to the South Caucasus. 

Radio GIPA is the only student-led radio station in Georgia. It has a consistent English language audience. Discussions and debates, led by students, showcase the young adult opinion on important societal themes. 

Radio Imedi is the first independent radio station offering 24-hour news coverage. It was first launched in 2001. 

Radio Iveria is founded and operated by the Georgian Orthodox Church. It features prayers and sermons, and has a high number of followers. 

Radio Maestro is a 24-hour news radio first launched in 2011. It occupies first position based on radio ratings and it offers an interactive experience by allowing listeners to express their opinions on various topics and issues live. 

Radio Palitra, first launched in 2008, covers socio-political issues. It includes 24-hour coverage and famous Georgian hit music from the 80s and 90s. 

Radio Positive mainly includes talk shows, analytical discussions and news information. 

Radio Starvision offers coverage on politics, law, economics and the world. It includes audiovisual materials and articles. 

Radiotavisupleba, funded by Congress through the US Global Media Agency, is a private international broadcaster in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeastern Asia, and the Middle East. Coverage in 28 languages and 20 countries. 

Radio Tbilisi, owned by Hereti Broadcasting Company, can reach 3 million listeners in the coverage area. Hereti Broadcasting Company also owns radio stations in Kakheti and Batumi. 

Radio Utsnobi, first launched in 2004, mainly targets young adult and adult audiences. It includes music and shows covering academic topics. 

Radio Voice of Abkhazia was founded in 2007 with the intention of bridging the gap between occupied territory of Abkhazia and the rest of Georgia. Coverage in Georgian and Russian.

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Academic Resources: Universities and Libraries in Georgia

Public/State Universities:

Private Universities:

Libraries:

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