11 times more EU funding has been allocated to the ministries than civil society organisations between 2019 and 2024. Such a statement was released today by the EU Delegation to Georgia,

“Addressing misinterpretation of EU support to Georgia.

11 times more EU funding allocated to Ministries than Civil Society Organisations between 2019 and 2024. More than 2/3 of the €46.1 million of EU funds allocated to CSOs goes to organisations providing direct services and support to people in Georgia.

Based on recent analysis of European Commission data, ministries and other state institutions in Georgia were allocated €517 million in EU funding, while CSOs were allocated €46.1 million between 2019 and 2024.

€46.1 million in EU funds covered 47 projects implemented by more than 170 CSOs operating all over Georgia across various sectors:

Human rights and gender equality: €8.6 million
Democratic participation and media: €8.0 million
Business development and vocational training: €7.9 million
Security sector reform: €4.9 million
Culture and creative industries: €4.6 million
Conflict confidence building: €4.0 million
Decentralisation and rural development: €3.9 million
Environment and climate: €2.0 million
Public administration reform: €1.2 million
Legal and judicial development: €1.0 million

More than two-thirds of the €46.1 million in EU funds allocated to CSOs between 2019 and 2024 provide direct services and aid to people in Georgia in areas like assisting vulnerable groups, vocational training, entrepreneurship, social services, culture and environmentally friendly measures.

The remaining one-third of the funds are used by organisations to monitor, promote, and collaborate with the government on human rights, EU standards adoption, gender equality, and decentralisation.

Among the top 10 beneficiaries of EU assistance in Georgia (2019-2024) are the following governmental institutions:

€ 111.55 million – Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure / local authorities
€ 101.40 million – Ministry of Finance
€ 62.75 million – Ministry of Defence
€ 57 million – Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture & agencies
€ 30.5 million – Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development
€ 25.07 million – Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Health, Labour and Social Affair & agencies
€ 19 million – State Commission for Migration Issues
€ 12.85 million – Ministry of Education, Science and Youth
€ 10.5 million – Ministry of Internal Affairs
€ 7.4 million – Administration of Government”, - reads the information.