In Support of Free and Fair Elections
On October 15, 2020, the Democracy Research Institute launched a new project "In Support of Free and Fair Elections."
The aim of the project was to support free pre-election environment for the 2020 parliamentary elections in Georgia and to promote the observance of the election principles enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia, as well as to promote the creation of discussion spaces relating to the participation of the clergy in the pre-election campaign.
The main objectives of the project were to monitor the political statements and activities of the clergy; make legal assessments; draw up specific recommendations for relevant actors; promote the creation of discussion spaces on the issue; provide objective information to the public.
Project duration: October 15, 2020 - November 15, 2020
The project was supported by the ACCESS project of the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) and is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Identify disinformation
Cooperation for Improvement of Juvenile Justice System
Project duration: December 2, 2019 - November 30, 2020
Rallies Under Observation
The Democracy Research Institute had been monitoring political rallies, assemblies and demonstrations organized by political parties and civil movements from September 1 to December 30.
By monitoring rallies, the Democracy Research Institute aim was to:
Check the legality of the restrictions imposed on freedom of assembly and freedom of expression on the pretext of the pandemic; check the organizers/demonstrators’ compliance with legal requirements; make analysis/legal assessment of the violations identified at rallies; establish the compliance of actions of law enforcement agencies with international standards; provide objective information to the public about the monitoring results.
Project duration: September 1, 2019 – December 30, 2020
The project was been carried out with the support of Open Society Georgia Foundation.
Supporting Security Sector Reform in Georgia
Legislative changes implemented in 2015 to separate the State Security Service from the Ministry of Internal Affairs led to the duplication of mandates and the ambiguity of legislation.The project aims was at promoting reforms of the State Security Service of Georgia in line with international human rights standards. DRI researchers analyzed the existing legal framework and practices of the security services, as well as international best practices, and developed policy recommendations for the Georgian government. Findings were presented to relevant stakeholders and conductes an advocacy campaign to encourage implementation of the recommended reforms.
Project duration: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020
The project is implemented with the financial support of the National Endowment for Democracy.
Understanding and Combating Far-Right Extremism and Ultra-Nationalism in Georgia
The project aims was at the prevention of far-right radicalism and extremism in Georgia. The main activities of the project were to elaborate a comprehensive baseline analysis to understood root causes/trigger points of increased appearance of far-rights extremist individuals and groups in Georgia; best practices of other countries were researched and programed and policymade recommendations were developed taking into account the national context. The project team were observed the demonstrations of far-right groups and individuals; monitored and collected data about their appearance in social media and online outlets and provided a comprehensive analysis of tendencies and tabled down recommendations. The litigation was used as a tool to combat discrimination and intolerance.
Project duration: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020
The project was implemented with the financial support of the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Supporting Human Rights Protection at Front Line
The project aims was at protecting human rights in conflict-affected territories by strengthening the role of activists/local CSOs in promoting human rights through capacity development activities; Monitoring of human rights situation in the conflict-affected territories to fill in the informational vacuum.
To achieve these objectives, the network of civil activists were created and operated; monitoring of HRs situation in the conflict-affected regions was regularly be conducted and problematic issues was brought to the attention of authorities; monitoring report and policy recommendations were developed.
Project duration: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020
The project was implemented with the financial support of the European Endowment for Democracy.
Rallies Under Observation
Large-scale protests have been held in Tbilisi since June 20, 2019. The repeated dispersal of peaceful rallies with the use of disproportionate force has clearly demonstrated the need for objective and impartial monitoring of the rallies. Accordingly, the present project aims was to achieve the realization of the right to peaceful assemblies and freedom of expression, which was enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia.
The tasks of the project were to: check the compliance of the protection of the requirements of legislation by the organizers and participants of the rallies of political content; make analysis and legal evaluation of the violations detected during the rallies; check the compliance of actions of law enforcement officers with international standards; provide objective and impartial information to the public about the offences identified during rallies and counter-rallies; make recommendations to the stakeholders on the basis of the findings of the three-month monitoring process.
Four monitors of the Democracy Research Institute were observing all the protests across Tbilisi and Mtskheta, which were: a) of a political content and b) organized by civil activists and/or political parties.
Project duration: December 20, 2019 - March 31, 2020
The project was been carried out with the support of Open Society Georgia Foundation.
Access to Information in All Languages
The project aims was to increase the awareness of ethnic minorities living in Georgia about COVID 19 and to provide them with access to information about the pandemic in their native language.
Project duration: May 7, 2020 - July 31, 2020
The project was funded by the Prodemos Foundation within the framework of the grants of the civil movement "YouCreator".
“Co-existence” – Countering Ethno-Nationalist Narratives in Georgia
Project duration: December 1, 2020 – July 1, 2021
Cooperation for Improvement of Juvenile Justice System
The project aim is at improvement of the juvenile justice system in Georgia.
To achieve this objective, within the framework of the project seminars will organise for legal professionals, social workers and psychologists working in the field of juvenile justice in Georgia.
Project duration: May 1, 2021 - October 30, 2021
The project is implemented with the financial support of EU/UNDP joint initiative COBERM.
Civil Society resilience and sustainability
Project title: Civil Society resilience and sustainability
Project Duration: September 15 – December 15, 2021
Project goal: define strategic directions for the Democracy Research Institute (DRI) and develop strategic documents.
The project was financially supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by ERIM (formerly IREX Europe) and the Tbilisi Human Rights House (HRHT).
Supporting Security Sector Reform in Georgia
In February 2021, DRI launched a project “Supporting Security Sector Reform in Georgia.’’
The goal of the project was to advocate for institutional reforms and reduce the risks of abuse of power in the State Security Service. Special recommendations was also developed for the State Security Service and other relevant structures based on international standards to reduce the increased level of radicalization in the Kvemo Kartli and Pankisi regions.
The project was supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Supporting Influence-Free Elections
Project title: Supporting Influence-Free Elections
Project duration: August 15 - December 15, 2021.
Objective of the project: to create a free pre-election environment for the 2021 local self-government elections and to promote the observance of the election principles enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia.
Tasks of the project:
- To identify cases of alleged campaigning by the clergy and their impact on the electoral process and quality of democracy;
- To reduce the number of cases of alleged campaigning by the clergy and, consequently, to promote a free pre-election environment.
The project was financially supported by the Open Society Foundation.
Supporting Human Rights Protection at Front Line
The project is being carried out by the financial support of the European Endowment for Democracy.
Confidence building in the time of pandemic
Project Duration: September 15, 2021 – September 15, 2022
Project Goal: To enhance access to quality health care for the population living in the conflict affected areas and to support confidence building between the civil society organizations and medical personals on both sides.
Project was financially supported by European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM)
Prevention of Far-Right Extremism in Georgia
Project Title: “Prevention of Far-Right Extremism in Georgia”
Project Duration: September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2022
Project goal: The project goal is the prevention of far-right radicalism and extremism in Georgia.
Tasks of the project:
• Observe the demonstrations of far-right groups and individuals;
• Monitor and collect data about their appearance in social media and online outlets and provide a comprehensive analysis of tendencies;
• Protection of victims of discrimination in administrative bodies and courts.
The project is being carried out by the financial support of the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Supporting Accountable and Transparent Security Sector
Project title: Supporting Accountable and Transparent Security Sector
Duration: February 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023
Objective: Strengthening democratic oversight of the security sector through monitoring and cooperation with public agencies.
Tasks: Daily monitoring of the implementation of the human rights strategy and action plan, as well as effective use of the parliamentary oversight mechanisms, which are provided for in legislation of Georgia, by MPs and parliamentary factions; Monitoring of rallies and demonstrations organized by civic organizations, opposition parties and far-right groups.
The project is financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Anti-gender rhetoric of far-right groups
Project name: "Anti-gender rhetoric of far-right groups"
Project duration: September 1, 2022 – February 1, 2023
Project goal: The project goal is to study the anti-gender rhetoric of the far-right groups in Georgia and to increase public awareness of the threats against the women's movement.
The project is financially supported by the Women’s Fund in Georgia
Human Rights Dialogue between Tbilisi, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali
Project Title: “Human Rights Dialogue between Tbilisi, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali”.
Project Duration: July 15, 2022 – January 15, 2023
Project Goal: To support confidence building between the Georgian, South Ossetian and Abkhazian human rights defenders and activists and to establish Georgian-Abkhazian-Ossetian human rights dialogue with local ownership
Project is financially supported by European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM)
Partnership for prevention violence against children
Project Title: Partnership for prevention violence against children
Project Duration: March 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Purpose of the project: prevention of violence in adolescents, prevention of bullying and cyberbullying by raising the qualification of specialists in the field, strengthening parents and providing legal assistance to children victims of violence.
The project is implemented with the financial support of COBERM, a joint initiative of the United Kingdom government (UK) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The road to Europe - an opportunity for Georgia
Project Title: The road to Europe - an opportunity for Georgia
Project Duration: October 1, 2022 - March 1, 2023
Project goal: Facilitating and evaluating the implementation of the 12-point plan established by the European Commission, through advocacy and monitoring.
Tasks of the project:
- Searching for ways to implement the 12-point plan of the European Commission, preparing recommendations, and delivering them to the appropriate addressees.
- Supervising the implementation of the 12-point plan, and preparing a monitoring report (in order to present a complete picture, the monitoring report will include the events, which developed until October).
- Providing information about current processes to international partners and the public.
The project is implemented by the Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and composed of the following CSOs: Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Education Development and Employment Center (EDEC), and Institute for European Politics (IEP).
The Civil Society Initiative builds on the knowledge and experience gained during the implementation of the EU-supported Civil Society Development Initiative (CSSIGE 2017-2020).
Project title: Action for Increased Accountability and Transparency of Internal Security Institutions
Duration: February 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
Objective: The goal of the project is to support increased democratic accountability and transparency of internal security sector institutions through monitoring, public awareness raising and advocacy of further reforms.
Tasks:
- To support improvement of the democratic oversight of the internal security sector through monitoring and engagement with the parliament/government of Georgia
- To develop comprehensive reform framework of the internal security institutions with particular emphasis on the State Security Service of Georgia
- To increase public awareness about the functioning of state security institutions for increased accountability and transparency
The project is financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Counter stigmatization of civil society and build a positive counter-narrative in Georgia
Project title: “Counter stigmatization of civil society and build a positive counter-narrative in Georgia”
Duration: April 1, 2023 - September 30, 2023
Project Goal: To raise awareness on the work of CSOs in the capital and in the regions through media campaign – particularly aiming at increased trust of local communities in CSOs.
Project is financially supported by Freedom House
Monitoring of the Human Rights in Abkhazia and across ABL
Project title: “Monitoring of the Human Rights in Abkhazia and across ABL”
Duration: March 1, 2023 – September 30, 2023
General Objective: Support to the protection of Human Rights in Abkhazia
Specific Objective:
- Monitoring of Human Rights situation in Abkhazia
- Support to the protection of Human Rights of the conflict affected communities alongside the ABL
The project is financially supported by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Anti-gender focus of far-right groups
Project title: “Anti-gender focus of far-right groups”
Duration: March 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023
General Objective: the project goal is to study the anti-gender rhetoric of the far-right groups in Georgia and to increase public awareness of the threats against the women's movement.
The project is financially supported by the Women’s Fund in Georgia
Prevention of Spreading Far-Right Radicalization in Georgia in the Context of 2024 Parliamentary Elections
Project title: “Prevention of Spreading Far-Right Radicalization in Georgia in the Context of 2024 Parliamentary Elections”
Duration: April 15, 2023 – January 15, 2024
General Objective: To support prevention of the far-right extremism in Georgia in the context of upcoming parliamentary elections
Specific Objective:
- To support prevention of transformation of far-right groups into dominant political powers through monitoring, documentation and advocacy
- To increase the awareness of the public about the threats coming from the far right political groups through public information campaigns
The project is financially supported by the Black Sea Trust (BST).
