Civic Space Fund - Georgia
Switzerland contributes to the UN-administered Civic Space Pooled Fund to address Georgia's shrinking civic space and growing pressure on the media. The initiative aims to strengthen democratic governance by promoting civic participation, building resilient civil society organizations, and supporting independent media. Through this contribution, Switzerland reinforces democracy and human rights through coordinated, inclusive, and rights-based action.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Georgia |
Governance Gender Equality
Democratic participation and civil society
Human rights (incl. Women's rights) Women’s equality organisations and institutions |
01.03.2025
- 31.12.2027 |
CHF 700’000
|
- UNDG Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO)
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Democratic participation and civil society
Human rights
Women's equality organisations and institutions
Cross-cutting topics Human rights
The project also supports partner organisation improvements
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F11271
| Background | Civic space in Georgia has faced increasing pressure amid concerns over democratic backsliding, with growing restrictions affecting civil society and independent media. Since April 2024, the adoption of new legislation - further amended in 2025 - has complicated direct support to civil society organizations by limiting access to foreign funding and adding administrative requirements. In parallel, ongoing financial reductions risk leaving key actors - independent media, human rights defenders, and grassroots CSOs - without adequate support (particularly due to USAID departure). These pressures add to long-standing challenges in Georgia's civil society landscape, such as donor dependence, concentration in urban centers and limited institutional capacities. In this context, strategic, coordinated, and sustained donor engagement is essential to safeguard democratic space. The Swiss Embassy therefore considers that joint support through a UN-administered pooled fund offers the most effective mechanism to advance these objectives under current conditions. |
| Objectives | The overall goal of the "UN Georgia Thematic Pooled Fund - Civic Space" is to contribute to the advancement of democratic governance, inclusive civic engagement, and the protection of fundamental freedoms in Georgia. |
| Target groups |
The UN Georgia Thematic Pooled Fund - Civic Space will specifically target women, young adults and adolescents, minorities, media representatives, human rights defenders and activists working on civic, political, economic and social rights. No numbered information is available at this stage, as no proposals have so far been approved by the Steering Committee. |
| Medium-term outcomes |
Outcome 1: Enhanced citizen's awareness and participation in public life Outcome 2: Enhanced skills, capacities and resilience of civic actors to engage with their communities and to participate in decision making processes Outcome 3: Enhanced media environment for public deliberations and evidence informed policy discussions |
| Results |
Expected results: - Improved civic attitudes and values among the general public - Increased citizens engagement in civic life and in their communities - CSOs and Networks of CSOs are operational, active and resilient - Civic actors apply strengthened capacities to foster sustained and inclusive community engagement - Enhanced participation of civic actors in local decision-making processes - Increased public media literacy and resilience to disinformation - Public debate on key issues increasingly informed by evidence and research - Increased public engagement on policy issues across different types of media Results from previous phases: N/A |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | Co-funders: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Austrian Development Agency (ADA) |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 700’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 297’500 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 700’000 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.03.2025 - 31.12.2027 (Current phase) |
