French edition Contrepoints publishes an article about famous philanthropists. The article notes that when the former Georgian prime minister left the political scene in January, he said he was leaving more than 95% of his assets to the Cartu Foundation, which put him in the same category as the famous Elon Musk, Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.

“When the former Georgian prime minister retired from political life in January, he took the opportunity to announce that he would donate 90% of his assets, or USD 1.5 billion, to his family foundation, therefore entering into the same category as the most famous philanthropists such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.

Since its creation in 1995, the Cartu Foundation has distributed more than USD 3.2 billion. There again, neither rhinestones nor sequins, but rather a generosity in the service of the development of this republic of the Caucasus: 400 secondary schools have been built, rehabilitated and equipped throughout Georgia and more than 100,000 pupils have received new school equipment.

New university in the city of Kutaisi, funded to the tune of almost USD 1 billion, aims to develop the technical skills of the next generation of Georgians and improve international research networks for the country’s scientists. The University of Munich has already signed a partnership agreement and more will certainly follow.

But education is not the only sector affected. Agriculture, health and infrastructure are also actively supported. The Cartu Foundation thus financed the launch of nurseries, modern greenhouses, cold stores and laboratories. Sachkhere Medical Center has provided 46,000 Georgians with medical services and more than 1,200 doctors have received hands-on training in emergency care. Over 300 km of roads and 554 km of natural gas pipelines have also been built and rehabilitated.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has also played a leading role in restoring the country’s cultural heritage, such as the spa town of Tskaltubo. The project will help create 20,000 jobs for the region’s residents, resulting in sustainable economic development and renewed prosperity for the entire Imereti region, which has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cartu Foundation also contributes to the protection of the environment and the fight against climate change. Earlier this year, the Cartu Foundation announced that 700 hectares of forest in the heart of Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, would be restored over the next four years.

Finally, the Cartu Foundation financed the Shekvetili Arboretum, one of the most prestigious botanical gardens in the world, protecting over 60 hectares of numerous species of trees and animals threatened with extinction”, - reads the article.