Projects

Name of the project: Roots of Anti-Western Propaganda

Supported by: Institute for war and peace reporting (IWPR)

Budget: 4500 Euros

Duration of the Project: September 20 - december 20, 2022

Russia actively uses its economic, financial, political, and informational leverages, and resorts to information war and propaganda to return our country to its orbit. It is worth noting that the existence of pro-Russian, anti-Western forces inside the country is the result of the Russian narrative. Due to the long-term Soviet propaganda, the nostalgia for the united Soviet Union, and the fear of European values, lifestyle, and society, in general, still exist in a certain part of society.

The results of the nationwide representative public opinion research conducted in Georgia by USAID Information Integrity Program revealed that Soviet nostalgia is still an issue nowadays. Soviet Nostalgia is strongest among the older, rural and ethnic minority population.

The main focus of the small study will be to analyze anti-Western narrative as constructed within the Georgian press of the 1970s. In particular economic, social and cultural dimensions of constructing the anti-Western discourse in the most important daily newspaper - The Communist (Komunisti) will be examined. As the this was the newspaper that waged a daily informational warfare against the West. 

In the scope of the proposed project, the issues of the newspaper from the five years’ period (1970 to the end of 1974) will be randomly selected and analyzed using the tools of narrative and discourse analysis. Particularly, the data collection and analysis process will be focused on the narratives that include references to the Western examples, coverage of the international news and comparisons used in the media coverage of social, cultural, economic and political issues. In addition, the materials such as posters, caricatures, and other types of visualizations will be included in the study. Understanding the roots of the anti-Western propaganda will be useful for demonstrating the historical relevance of the modern day disinformation tools used mainly by Russian or pro-Russian sources.

Overall project objectives: 

-       Increased understanding of the historical development of the anti-Western propaganda fueled by a regime headquartered in Russia;

-       Students( future journalists and experts of social sciences) trained in critically approaching and investigating deeper roots of the contemporary pressing issue;

-       Increased awareness of the long duree character of the anti-Western propaganda and its historical sources;

-       Trained students in retrieving and deploying archival material for the media purposes.

Activities: 

-       The students will be recruited as trainees and research assistants of the project.

-       The Students will be trained in narrative and discourse analysis, as well as the analysis of the historical sources. The students will also be given training on the importance of the historical first-hand sources for the media.

-       The issues of the newspaper Komunisti will be selected and collected in cooperation with the National Library of Georgia.

-       The analytical tools such as discourse and narrative analysis will be systematically used. 

Budjet

Contract

Project title: Overcoming disinformation and nostalgia surrounding Stalin: A new identity for the city of Gori - Stage 3

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID 

Budget: GEL 61, 900

Duration: 08.09.2022 -  15.01.2023

Disinformation narratives that are primarily based on the sentiments and nostalgia towards Stalin in Shida Kartli have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to play a key role in the region's identity and self-identification. Due to the constant instrumentalization of Stalin's legacy, the region is still nurtured by the myths surrounding Stalin.

Considering the above-mentioned issue,  it is important to contribute to the de-escalation of the deepening nostalgia towards Stalin and Soviet times and to intervene in passing on these views to future generations without any critical approach. The identity of Gori being this intertwined with Stalin’s figure (both internal and external perceptions) does not allow the citizens to imagine a different positioning of their region or alternative means of developing its tourism potential. The project’s approach is to not only deliver the idea to the local population but more importantly, to incorporate them, as the main audience of the project, in creating and upholding this renewed narrative. 

The project aims at creating an alternative visual platform. Hence, the project will highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city. While creating and promoting the materials, the local youth and vulnerable groups (e.g. IDP people) will be engaged and informed on the development of the project making their city’s historical identity relevant for them. As a result, the local stories, merits, narratives of trauma, and victories become important driving forces and the central element of social identity in the center of Shida Kartli.

The third stage of the project envisions development in three following directions: Firstly, more short stories will be created based on archival research and interviews with the locals, together with more known and unknown historical places marked on the digital map; Second aspect is web-development - the web-site www.gorimaps.ge created for this project, will be further designed, developed and expanded.  Third aspect is installation of designed plaques around the city - following the identified pins on the map, specially designed boards will be installed around the city that will also depict the QR code leading to further information on the place/story on the website. A summary plaque will depict the digital map with the pins.

The online and physical spaces are meant to popularise the alternative and at times forgotten history of the city/region among the local population and the guests of the city. 

The products of the project are meant to contribute to an alternative route design of the city tour. The project will also contribute to the generational dialogue, engaging the teachers and students in discussing their city, its unique history, and alternative identity. The “identity map” and corresponding informational banners/items displayed across the town will serve as a starting point for kicking off the dialogue. 

In a greater picture, the project will be considered successful if the new identity map and narratives have a long-standing impact on the stories that are told about the region and if the locations and items throughout the city serve as a starting point for the dialogue about the city’s alternative history. 

Project Objectives:

- Contribute to the greater knowledge of and awareness about the alternative history of Gori / Shida Kartli and replacing the figure of Stalin as an element of pride;

- new identity map and narratives have a long-standing impact on the stories that are told about the region and the locations and items throughout the city become to serve as a starting point for the dialogue about the city’s alternative (from that where Stalin is the central figure)  history;

- Create a new (online and physical) “identity map” based on the city’s history, superseding the figure of Stalin as the most important source of pride; 

- Engage locals in re-discovering city’s new identity;

- Highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city.

Project activities:

- Compose short stories based on historical and sociological research; 

- Production of the Videos and infographics

- Meetings across Shida Kartli for discussing the outcomes of the project with history teachers and pupils

- Develop the website www.gorimaps.ge  

- Identifying the relevant locations in the city with the local representatives and researchers; 

- Installation of the boards (or QR codes) across the city

- Present project outcomes to the local authorities/stakeholders

- Communicate with tourism agencies and tour guides and deliver project products 

- Develop and print physical map with the pins from digital map

Contract

Project title: Solidarity Branding - Promoting Entrepreneurs Living in the Shida Kartli Region, Next to the Occupied Territories – Stage 2

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program (GIIP) / USAID 

Grant Number: GIIP-SK-IDFI-002-1

Budget: GEL 45,300.00

Duration: 15.07.2022 - 30.09.2022

Entrepreneurs in the Georgian agricultural sphere face common challenges in selling agricultural products: from the natural causes, related to finding markets, storage, and transportation. Citizens of the villages located next to the administrative boundary line (ABL) in Shida Kartli, in addition to these problems, face constant fears of illegal borderization and kidnapping from de-facto police or military forces. Also, they feel abandoned by wider Georgian society and their efforts to repel Russian occupation are unsupported and unrecognized.

Some feel it is best to avoid antagonizing Russia – fearing that any actions perceived as anti-Russian may result in further negative consequences. Others feel that partnering with Russia is the best or only way to resolve the current situation. This is of course exploited by Kremlin-backed disinformation, which seeks to reinforce the idea that placating Russia will prevent the situation from worsening their circumstances and promotes a sense of defeatism.

The project aims to make residents living near the ABL more resilient to Russian hostile influence as a result of increasing perceptions of recognition and support from the rest of Georgian society. To do this, the initiative will build a new brand identity that expresses physical and emotional solidarity with people and communities near the administrative boundary line (ABL), as well as promotes products created along the area. This brand will include (a) the creation of solidarity label,' which will be applied to locally produced products and will appeal to citizens living in other parts of the country to support their struggles while protecting Georgian territory; (b) to ensure higher income for the population near ABL, the brand will support increased market access through quality assurance by supporting those citizens in applying for Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) certification (GeoGap standard) to increase their competitive advantage and the potential of entering new markets.

Overall Project Objectives:

- Entrepreneurs living in the Shida Kartli Region, next to the ABL feel supported by the rest of the Georgian population

- Beneficiaries feel the solidarity brand has contributed to the increase in their sales

- Increasing of the competitive advantage and the potential of entering new markets for the farmers living next to the ABL

- In the greater picture, decreased dependence on the Russian market

Stage 2 Activities:

- Continue meetings with beneficiaries with the goal of introducing them to  the benefits of branding.

- Defining mediums and elements of the outreach/ PR campaign.

- Creation of the brand and visual identity - introducing it to the beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

- Creation of 1 interim article/blog based on the findings and videos/visual stories for promoting entrepreneurship next to the ADL.

- Continue meetings and consultations with the larger distributors and market networks.

- Finalizing implementation of the Georgian Farmers’ Associations’ GeoGap standard for 8 beneficiaries.

Project Title: Relocation/Individual Support Grant

Donor: Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa)
Budget: 12,956 EUR
Duration: July 1-December 31, 2022

Project Summary

IDFI will provide individual and institutional support to human rights defender(s) to build operational structure in Georgia, and integrate into the local community. 

To this end, human rights defender(s) will be provided with the practical aspects of NGO work in Georgia, the necessary opportunities for professional networking with local experts, and the necessary support to maintain personal resilience. 

Project Budget

Contract 

Purpose of the Contract: Organisation and implementation of the Workshop on localisation with Georgian and Belarusian partners
Project: Institutional Integration of the Agenda 2030 in Belarus and Other Eastern Partnership Countries
Donor:  The Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Budget:  24,273 GEL
Duration: June 24 – July 8, 2022

The service contract considered the organization of study trip for Belorussian and German experts in Georgia on the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The service included the following tasks:

1. Organisation and implementation of the workshop - preparation of workshop methodology;  presentations concerning the Georgian status quo of localizing the Agenda 2030; implementation, moderation and documentation of the workshop and its results;

2. Organisation and implementation of the field trip - identifying and coordination of relevant visiting points supporting the achievement of the overall workshop goals; approaching and preparing stakeholders of the visiting points; technical concept of the field trip; documentation of the field trip results;

3. Logistical support of the workshop and field trip - organization of catering during the workshop day and during the field trip; organization of technical equipment; organization of transport on the day of the field trip; providing contact and resource person for participants (especially for foreign participants); settlement of costs incurred during the workshop and field trip.

Budget

Contract

Project Title: Advancing Open Data Standards and Promoting Open Data Use in Georgia
Donor: International Media Support (IMS)
Budget: 22.619 EUR
Duration: June 1-November 30, 2022

Summary of Project and Activities:

Despite Georgia’s achievements in making more public data available over the past years, observations of local and international organizations show that the country necessitates improved legislation on access to public information and adoption of open data standards.

The project aims to advocate for the improvement of FOI regulation in the country through multistakeholder dialogue and sharing best practices with Georgian public servants. In addition, to ensure greater public support on the issue, IDFI will promote the use of open data among various stakeholders.

IDFI will implement the following activities in frames of the proposed project:

Activity 1. Preparatory stage  - At the first phase of the project, IDFI will plan/prepare all organizational or methodological documents/issues, which ensure that all project activities are implemented on time and with high quality.

Activity 2.    FOI advocacy meeting -   IDFI will organize an advocacy meeting with the participation of Georgian civil society, public institutions, journalists, academia, and the international community to discuss the need for the improvement of legislation and practice in Georgia.

Activity 3.   Preparing and disseminating analyses -  IDFI will prepare two analyses to demonstrate major legislative, institutional, and practical gaps/needs in terms of access to open data in Georgia based on international rankings and reports, with a particular focus on the Global Data Barometer, published in May 2022.  

Activity 4. Organizing Workshops -  To better advocate our recommendations and inform public institutions as well as civil society and private sector representatives on major needs and particular gaps for Georgia in terms of the availability of open data, IDFI will organize two workshops with their participation.

Activity 5.  Open Data Contest -     In order to promote the use of open data for government accountability and the public good, IDFI will organize its annual contest on analytical articles on the topic of #Data4Change.

Project Activities and Budget

Contract

Project title: Overcoming disinformation and nostalgia surrounding Stalin: A new identity for the city of Gori - Stage 2

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID

Budget: GEL 47,310

Duration: 02.05.2022 -  26.07.2022

Disinformation narratives that are primarily based on the sentiments and nostalgia towards Stalin in Shida Kartli have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to play a key role in the region's identity and self-identification. Due to the constant instrumentalization of Stalin's legacy, the region is still nurtured by the myths surrounding Stalin.

Considering the above-mentioned issue,  it is important to contribute to the de-escalation of the deepening nostalgia towards Stalin and Soviet times and to intervene in passing on these views to future generations without any critical approach. The identity of Gori being this intertwined with Stalin’s figure (both internal and external perceptions) does not allow the citizens to imagine a different positioning of their region or alternative means of developing its tourism potential. The project’s approach is to not only deliver the idea to the local population but more importantly, to incorporate them, as the main audience of the project, in creating and upholding this renewed narrative.

As an outcome, an alternative visual platform will be created. Hence, the project will highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city. While creating and promoting the materials, the local youth and vulnerable groups (e.g.IDP people) will be engaged and informed on the development of the project making their city’s historical identity relevant for them. As a result, the local stories, merits, narratives of trauma, and victories become important driving forces and the central element of social identity in the center of Shida Kartli.

In the second stage of the project, the short stories will be created based on the research materials collected by now. Moreover, the visual materials will be incorporated into the short infographic videos based on the stories and archival research. The second stage of the project will provide the materials that will then be printed and located around the city, marked with QR codes. The online and physical spaces are meant to popularise the alternative and at times forgotten history of the city/region among the local population and the guests of the city.

The project will also contribute to the generational dialogue, engaging the teachers and students in discussing their city, its unique history, and alternative identity. The “identity map” and corresponding informational banners/items displayed across the town will serve as a starting point for kicking off the dialogue.

The product of the project will be sustainable insofar as the physical map will be disseminated in public and so will be the digital map. The product  ( in a physical form across the city and online format) will be available for the tourist groups, local teachers and interested part of the society at any given moment.

Project Objectives

- Contribute to the greater knowledge of and awareness about the alternative history of Gori / Shida Kartli and replacing the figure of Stalin as an element of pride;

- new identity map and narratives have a long-standing impact on the stories that are told about the region and the locations and items throughout the city become to serve as a starting point for the dialogue about the city’s alternative (from that where Stalin is the central figure)  history;

- Create a new (online and physical) “identity map” based on the city’s history, superseding the figure of Stalin as the most important source of pride;

- Engage locals in re-discovering city’s new identity;

- Highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city.

Project activities:

- Researching the history of Shida Kartli and its inhabitants, important historical events, and places;

- Compose short stories based on historical and sociological research;

- Record the local respondents to be incorporated in the short videos (2 videos);  Production of the Videos and infographics (5 videos);

- Hold meetings/discussions with the local community about the identified stories/places; 

- Create an online host platform (entry on the website);

-  Identifying the relevant locations in the city with the local representatives and researchers;

Project Title: Global AI Advocacy in Georgia
Donor Organization: Global Partners Digital
Total Budget: 2,750 EUR
Duration of the Project: April 25 - November 28, 2022

Project Summary

The project aims to promote a human rights approach to artificial intelligence by shaping the outcomes of relevant national and international debates.

The major activity of the project is updating and implementing the global advocacy strategy.

The project deliverable include:

I. Global AI Advocacy Strategy:

 - Review and update the global advocacy strategy that was developed in the first phase of the project.

 - Identify which forum(s) and/or process(es) civil society input would have the biggest impact and provide a clear and strategic plan for engagement in one or more of these processes.

II. Implementation of Global  AI Advocacy Strategy:

 - On the basis of the updated global advocacy strategy, engage in the designated forums and/or processes and implement the activities outlined in the strategy;

 - Engagement may include, but is not limited to: participation in consultations with civil society; develop analysis, joint statements, and/or responses to relevant policy outcomes and texts adopted by relevant policy forums; or engagement in direct advocacy with relevant policy makers.

Contract

Project title: Analysis of Russian Capital in Georgian Business - Stage 2

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID

Budget: GEL 46,800

Duration: April 18, 2022 – September 1, 2022

In March 2022, IDFI published a study - Russian Capital in Georgian Business: A First Overview of the Communications, Banking and Mineral Water Sectors - which included the above sectors.

In the second phase of the project, IDFI intends to review and publish a new report detailing the work, resources and connections of Georgian companies owned by Russian citizens in the following sectors: electricity, oil and gas.

 The business is often related to socio-political actors and influences on public perceptions. We deem it important to closely investigate such links between political, civil and media actors and business companies owned by the citizens of Russia. This would give us a clear image of funding sources behind some malign political, media and civil actors that actively spread disinformation in the country. For this, IDFI will monitor the donations, lobbying cases and other types of connections between the companies and societal actors in order to map the network of Russian capital and political organizations in Georgia. As a result of the three stage project, IDFI plans to create a map of the Russian capital in Georgia, which will be integrated into the Georgian Disinformation Ecosystem Map.

Project Objectives

-  Investigation of Russian capital in the mentioned sectors of Georgian business and its impact on the political, media and civil sectors;

- Investigating and mapping the Russian capital in Georgian business and its impact on Georgian political, media, and civil actors;

- Revealing the connections between the companies owned by the citizens of Russia and political, civil, and media actors affiliated with the government of the Russian Federation;

- Creating an effective tool and source of verified information for the civil society and research organizations as well as for media outlets that are focused on Russian-Georgian relations, Russian propaganda and disinformation issues;

 -Providing the Government of Georgia with detailed information about the potential and/or existing malign influence of Russian capital on the Georgian political environment;

Project activities:

- In the second phase of the project, gathering information from public agencies, the Internet and other open sources in the following four areas: Electricity, oil and gas.

- Update the company information studied in 2015’s report.

-  Creating an analytical brief/interim report.

Project Activities and Budget  

Project Title: Digital Freedoms in Georgia
Project #: SG-GX2060-LP-37 moo
Donor:  Internews and United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Budget:  19,843.70 USD
Duration: April 18 – November 17, 2022

Summary of the Project

The project aims to strengthen Internet freedom in Georgia.

To this end, IDFI will implement the following activities:

1. Publish and disseminate a policy brief on digital rights issues (Month 1 - Month 3) – At the first phase of the project, IDFI will prepare a policy brief, outlining major developments and needs in the sphere of digital freedoms and literacy in Georgia.

2. Plan, organize, and execute one digital rights advocacy campaign (Month 1-Month 3)  – IDFI will prepare a video discussing major challenges, opportunities and policy recommendations in the sphere of digital freedoms in Georgia.

3. In collaboration with ICNL, publish an evidence based policy brief on digital rights issues related to surveillance ((Month 2 - Month 4). This would be a cooperation between ICNL, DSLU and IDFI and Media Diversity Institute from Armenia.

4. In collaboration with RDR, undertake a data-driven, evidence based research on corporate accountability issues (Month 5 - Month 7)– Similarly, IDFI will cooperate with RDR and prepare a country report on Georgia on the issue of corporate accountability.

5. Plan, organize, and execute a digital rights training (Month 5 - Month 7)– At the final stage of the project, IDFI will conduct a training on digital rights for students, journalists, CSO representatives and civic activists. It will be a half-day training and among other theoretical issues on digital rights, training participants will get familiar with IDFI’s policy briefs prepared as part of the project.

Budget

Contract

Project title: Solidarity Branding - Promoting Entrepreneurs Living in the Shida Kartli Region, Next to the Occupied Territories – Stage 1

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID 

Grant Number: GIIP-SK-IDFI-002

Budget: GEL 22,465

Duration: 28.03.2022 -  30.06.2022

Entrepreneurs in the Georgian agricultural sphere face common challenges in selling agricultural products: from the natural causes, related to finding markets, storage, and transportation. Citizens of the villages located next to the administrative boundary line (ABL) in Shida Kartli, in addition to these problems, face constant fears of illegal borderization and kidnapping from de-facto police or military forces. Also they feel abandoned by wider Georgian society and their efforts to repel Russian occupation are unsupported and unrecognized.

Some feel it is best to avoid antagonizing Russia – fearing that any actions perceived as anti-Russian may result in further negative consequences. Others feel that partnering with Russia is the best or only way to resolve the current situation. This is of course exploited by Kremlin-backed disinformation, which seeks to reinforce the idea that placating Russia will prevent the situation from worsening their circumstances and promotes a sense of defeatism.

The project aims to make residents living near the ABL more resilient to Russian hostile influence as a result of increasing perceptions of recognition and support from the rest of Georgian society. To do this, the initiative will build a new brand identity that expresses physical and emotional solidarity with people and communities near the administrative boundary line (ABL), as well as promotes products created along the area. This brand will include (a) the creation of solidarity label,' which will be applied to locally produced products and will appeal to citizens living in other parts of the country to support their struggles while protecting Georgian territory; (b) to ensure higher income for the population near ABL, the brand will support increased market access through quality assurance by supporting those citizens in applying for Georgian Farmers’ Association (GFA) certification (GeoGap standard) to increase their competitive advantage and the potential of entering new markets.

Overall Project Objectives:

- Entrepreneurs living in the Shida Kartli Region, next to the ABL feel supported by the rest of the Georgian population

- Beneficiaries feel the solidarity brand has contributed to the increase in their sales

- Increasing of the competitive advantage and the potential of entering new markets for the farmers living next to the ABL

- In the greater picture, decreased dependence on the Russian market

Stage 1 Activities:

- Meetings with companies and beneficiaries living next to the ABL; Introducing the GeoGap standard to them; Initiating and starting certification process

- Consultations with the larger distributors and market networks

- Creation of 1 interim article/blog based on the findings

Project Budget and Activities Extension of the Contract Contract

Project Title: Global Data Barometer – Dissemination
Donor Organization: Latin American Open Data Initiative (ILDA)
Total Budget: $ 4,000
Duration of the Project: March, 30-December 31, 2022

Project Summary

The project aims to actively promote and disseminate the results of the Global Data Barometer (GDB) first edition. GDB's goal is to provide a critical new benchmark on country-level data governance, data capability, data availability, and data use for the public good. The regional hub will organise and plan to disseminate the results within its region.

Key activities & milestones

May, 2022: Design of audiovisual and communications material surrounding the key trends and findings of GDB results for the region in English, Georgian and Russian.

June, 2022: Regional conference/presentation to discuss the results of the Global Data Barometer based on thematic modules and prominent challenges relevant for Eurasia. Potential panelists will include GOB researchers from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

July- December, 2022: Further dissemination and engagement with mobilized stakeholders.

Contract

Project Title:  DRIVE: Digital Research and Impact for Vulnerable E-citizens (in Ukraine and Georgia)

Supported by: e-Governance Academy and Luminate

Grant Amount: EUR 30,107.00

Grant Term: September 1, 2021 - August 31, 2023

Project Summary

In most countries around the world, the last year has caused the employment of digital and technological solutions at unprecedented speed across all sectors. Such rapid developments have led to many challenges. One of them is a fear of the widening gap between the developments and citizens. This unprecedented speed might have even caused a new set of marginalised citizens to emerge. Any innovation should precisely address that: future developments should not only be guided by the technologically feasible but by what is socially desirable and acceptable. Therefore the citizens’ engagement, particularly digital, in the decision-making in the sectors, services and ecosystems that affect their lives is crucial.

This project, DRIVE, wishes to address this – its ultimate vision is that the vulnerable citizen groups in Ukraine and Georgia have a changed quality of life (better) by being digitally engaged in political decision-making (advanced policy development) and services, and having necessary conditions, awareness and skills for that.

Though a large number of different elements can contribute to a changed quality of life and digital engagement, the DRIVE project aims at one: public authorities and CSOs are aware of the digitally vulnerable groups and their needs, and have improved skills to engage these groups and to prevent the digital divide (further). For that, the project targets two specific outcomes: first, public authorities and CSOs are aware of the digitally vulnerable citizens (DVC), and know the needs and gaps in their digital literacy and access (tools and skills), and second, they are able to work together to design smart responses to address the needs and overcome the gaps, and to implement transparent, accountable and participatory e-governance (e.g. a new tools, platform, etc.). These form the key outcomes of the project. In addition, the collaboration between eGovernance Academy (Estonia) and the local partners (Georgia and Ukraine) aims to advance the capacity and aftercare so that the local partners can continue working for the same objectives, able to find necessary funding (joint projects for EU and Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for action proposals, and achieve the ultimate objective for the digitally vulnerable e-citizens.

Project activities include:

Stage 1: Preparatory activities

Stage 2: Hands-on activities to implement selected recommendations

 - Trainings and actions proposals

 - Pilot project or civic engagement/tech initiatives and regional outreach

Project Title: Core Support 

Supported by: Luminate, Global Philanthropic Organization

Grant Amount: USD 200,000

Grant Term: January 13, 2022 – December 31, 2023

The Goals of the Grant are: 

1. IDFI will continue their public spending and good governance watchdog role as well as analytical activities in Georgia.

2. IDFI will ensure systematic monitoring of public procurement, public spending and government programs in Georgia.

Contract

Project title: Overcoming disinformation and nostalgia surrounding Stalin: A new identity for the city of Gori - Stage 1
Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID 
Budget: GEL 23,460
Duration: 12.01.2022 -  31.03.2022

Disinformation narratives that are primarily based on the sentiments and nostalgia towards Stalin in Shida Kartli have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to play a key role in the region's identity and self-identification. Due to the constant instrumentalization of Stalin's legacy, the region is still nurtured by the myths surrounding Stalin.

Considering the above-mentioned issue,  it is important to contribute to the de-escalation of the deepening nostalgia towards Stalin and Soviet times and to intervene in passing on these views to future generations without any critical approach. The identity of Gori being this intertwined with Stalin’s figure (both internal and external perceptions) does not allow the citizens to imagine a different positioning of their region or alternative means of developing its tourism potential. 

Via highlighting the city’s pre-Soviet historical past, restoring the images from this period, and creating an “identity map” for the central city of the region (Gori), the project aims at providing a new identity and a source of positive self-identification all while bypassing the role of Stalin. The project’s approach is to not only deliver the idea to the local population but more importantly, to incorporate them, as the main audience of the project, in creating and upholding this renewed narrative. 

With research-based stories and personalities, based on archival materials and historical analysis, a new "identity map" of the city will be created, highlighting the distinctive historical moments and figures that underline the city's uniqueness and rich history. 

The project will also contribute to the generational dialogue, engaging the teachers and students in discussing their city, its unique history, and alternative identity. The “identity map” and corresponding informational banners/items displayed across the town will serve as a starting point for kicking off the dialogue. 

Project Objectives

- Contribute to the greater knowledge of and awareness about the alternative history of Gori / Shida Kartli and replacing the figure of Stalin as an element of pride

- Identify, analyze, interpret, and visualize historical and archival materials concerning the history of the region/city; 

- Create a new (online and physical) “identity map” based on the city’s history, superseding the figure of Stalin as the most important source of pride; 

- Engage locals in re-discovering city’s new identity;

- Highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city.

Project activities:

- Researching the history of Shida Kartli and its inhabitants, important historical events, and places;

- Collecting oral histories from a part of the population on specific issues and personalities;

-  Identifying online and physical platforms where the researched and processed information will be placed; 

- Communication with the local authorities, acquiring necessary permissions;

Project Activities

Project Title:  Improving Access of Media to the Public Information

Supported by: Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF)

 Grant Amount: USD 14.000

 Grant Term: January 1, 2022 – September 30, 2022

Project Summary

Aim of the project is to improve media’s access to the public information and to promote evidence-based journalism.

In order to achieve this aim, IDFI will be offering full legal support to media and journalists in particular about issues regarding freedom of information. In the process of legal aid there will be identified systemic problems that hinder journalists’ access to public information. Methods of resolving of such systemic problems will be advocated through various methods, including strategic litigations and cooperation with Media Advocacy Coalition (“Mediacoalition”).

The project beneficiaries are media (implying both regional and national, TV, radio and online broadcasters) and individual journalists. During the course of the project journalists will be available to get full and qualified legal aid. In order to achieve project aims IDFI will be cooperating with Mediacoalition during this cooperating there will be identified systemic problems and advocating changes.

During the course of the project there will be implemented specific legal support suited for journalists and “maping” of practical-legal problems that journalists face in accessing public information

Main project activities

-  Granting full legal support to journalists about issues regarding freedom of information (preparing applications, complaints, claims; legal representation);

-  Strategic legal and/or non-legal response to detected systemic problems;

-  Documenting detected problems. Informing civil society, public defender, state bodies and international society.

Project Activities and Budget

Contract

Project Title: Support research and public campaign aimed to account needs of vulnerablegroups in Georgian educational system during the COVID-19 pandemic

Donor Organization: Open Society Foundation (OSF)

Project Contract Number: OR2021-82602

Total Budget: USD 38,200

Duration of the Project: December1, 2021-July31, 2022

Project Brief Descriptionand Goals

The aim of the project is to Advocate the needs of vulnerable groups of society and ethnic minorities to increase the accessibility and efficiency of public services in the Georgian Education System..

To this end, the major objectives of the project are:

• Developing FOI requests and analyzing statistical data, during the COVID-19 pandemic and before the pandemic period;

• Monitor the development of identified challenges facing different social groups in terms of the learning process within the scope of the pandemic and in the post-pandemic period;

• Concentrate on the issues of ethnic minorities, rural population and identify the problems of vocational education in Georgia;

• Develop action plan with the working group of experts and CSOs, prepare recommendations based on the good practice.

Activities

1. Preparing FOI Requests;

2. Preparing questionnaires, conducting focus groups in the regions and with the ethnic minorities and analyzing received information;

3. Meeting with the teachers in the regions, advocating the distance learning and identifying challenges of the rural population;

4. Analyzes of the data;

5. Meeting/workshop with the experts and representatives of CSOs and other stakeholders to present findings and develop action plan and policy recommendations;

6. Campaigning and PR activities;

7. The final reporting period.

Project Activities

Contract

Project title: Analysis of Russian Capital in Georgian Business - Stage 1
Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID 
Budget: GEL 23, 200
Duration: October 19, 2021 – February 18, 2022

Due to the fact that the share of Russian companies on the Georgian market is ever-increasing, within the frame of the proposed research project, IDFI aims to update the previous report : “Russian Capital in Georgian Business” after 6 years and supplement it with the research on the new and old companies that are owned by the citizens of the Russian Federation and the individuals affiliated with them. In the report, the work, resources, and connections of the companies owned by the citizens of Russia in the sectors of electricity, water resources, tourism, oil, gas, mining, mineral waters, communications, electric locomotive construction, banking and investments operating in Georgia will be studied in detail. 

The business is often related to socio-political actors and influences on public perceptions. We deem it important to closely investigate such links between political, civil and media actors and business companies owned by the citizens of Russia. This would give us a clear image of funding sources behind some malign political, media and civil actors that actively spread disinformation in the country. For this, IDFI will monitor the donations, lobbying cases and other types of connections between the companies and societal actors in order to map the network of Russian capital and political organizations in Georgia. As a result of the three stage project, IDFI plans to create a map of the Russian capital in Georgia, which will be integrated into the Georgian Disinformation Ecosystem Map.

Project Objectives

- Investigating and mapping the Russian capital in Georgian business and its impact on Georgian political, media, and civil actors; 

- Revealing the connections between the companies owned by the citizens of Russia and political, civil, and media actors affiliated with the government of the Russian Federation;

- Creating an effective tool and source of verified information for the civil society and research organizations as well as for media outlets that are focused on Russian-Georgian relations, Russian propaganda and disinformation issues;

- Providing the Government of Georgia with detailed information about the potential and/or existing malign influence of Russian capital on the Georgian political environment;

Project activities:

- At the first stage, collecting the information from public agencies, the Internet and other open sources about the following four sectoral directions: communications, banking, mining and mineral water.

- Update the company information studied in 2015’s report. 

- Creаting an analytical brief/ interim report.

Project Activities and Budget 

Project title: Inter-Religious Understanding Through Graphic Arts

Supported by: International Coalition of Sites of Conscience 

Budget: $2,850

Duration: September 6 – December 10, 2021

In 2019, it became known that the mass graves of the victims of the 1937-1938 Soviet repressions were discovered in Adjara, Georgia. The discovery of the mass graves is very important event for Georgia as the study of stories of the repressed people, their proper commemoration, and immortalization has a key role in the formation of collective memory of countries and understanding of the totalitarian past, which is confirmed by the experience of other post-Soviet countries. At the initial stage, some particular steps were taken by the government for studying the mass graves.

The main participants in this project will be students of the St. Matthias Apostolic Gymnasium-Boarding School, who will create comics about the stories of those repressed people, focusing on showing the religious understanding between the Muslims and Christian communities. With the spreading of such comic books about the stories of the repression victims, we expect a new knowledge about the repressive regime and personalities to emerge in the community. It shall also enhance even greater empathy among the victims of a religious minority group. The comics will be distributed both in Georgia and through the channels of the International Coalition.

The increasing interest of the younger generation in the issue of the repressed as well as their involvement in relevant discussions is important for raising general, public awareness. With this project, the society, the government, and the decision-makers will once again see the importance of the issue of the memory of the victims for the society, that this topic is not secondary and the new generation is involved in promoting the topic.

Project Objectives

- Raising public awareness about the discovered mass graves in Adjara;

- Enhancing dialogue among the local Muslim and Christian population;

- Attracting government’s attention to the issue of the discovered mass graves in Adjara.

Project activities:

- Lectures and discussion sessions on the topic of repression and repressed people;

- creation of  3 thematic comic books;

- distribution of the comics and other PR activities;

- submitting and discussing  the output of the project to the Coalition;

Timeline and Budget

Contract

Project Title: Study on Integrity in Civil Service – Georgia’s Challenges and the Best Practice 

Donor Organization: United Nations Development Program – Supporting Public Administration Reform in Georgia – Phase 2

Project Contract Number: 00121579

Total Budget: 17,420.00 USD

Duration of the Project: 1 September 2021 – 31 January 2022

Objectives

- to identify key challenges of Georgia in terms of civil service integrity and protection of whistleblowers;

- to analyze OECD-ACN and GRECO standards and recommendations; 

- to cooperate with the Administration of Georgia and the Civil Service Bureau as well as the ministries to better adopt to the national context the findings and recommendations of the study;

- to propose recommendations based on the above-mentioned analysis. 

Project Activities

1. Desk review – the research team will analyze the existing situation on integrity and whistleblowing issues by requesting relevant information and data from the public agencies, analyzing national legislation and OECD-ACN and CoE-GRECO recommendations on the issue. Statistical data requests from the agencies will pay attention to gender and socially disadvantaged groups. 

2. Online survey of the civil servants – based on the questionnaire prepared according to the final methodology with the involvement of a sociologist, the team will study the awareness and attitudes of civil servants on integrity and whistleblowing issues. The survey will be sent to the central agencies and municipalities (at lease those municipalities with ethnic minorities will be covered). Survey of public servants will be conducted using an e-mail database of HR units of the central agencies and municipality focal points, and within 90% of the reliability and error, a questionnaire completed by around 5% of total amount of civil servants will suffice. The data will be statistically counted and the awareness and attitudes of civil servants will be analyzed.

3. Focus Group Discussions with stakeholders – the first draft of the document and its findings will be shared with the Civil Service Bureau, Government Administration and other interested central agencies and municipalities to receive their opinions and to better adapt the document findings and proposed recommendations to the local needs and characteristics. The inputs received from the stakeholders will serve as a validation mechanism for both the data collected and preliminary recommendations developed. The recommendations prepared based on the analysis of the collected data will be directed to the Government of Georgia, the Civil Service Bureau, ministries and municipalities, however, final beneficiaries of the study are civil servants across the county and a wider public as the research project aims to contribute to the strengthening of integrity of the civil service. 

4. Closing event – the final study findings and proposed recommendations will be presented to the public to contribute to the civil service integrity.

Work Plan

Contract