Opposition slams Georgian Government’s NGO grant fund as ‘cynical’,‘election Manipulation’

Levan Bezhashvili, a member of the Unity – National Movement opposition alliance, on Tuesday condemned the government’s decision to create a grant fund for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), describing it as a “cynical move aimed at undermining the upcoming, October elections”.

Bezhashvili argues that the new fund, rather than supporting the country’s civil sector, was designed to sway the election in favor of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“This initiative isn’t about promoting free and fair elections. It’s another tool for manipulating the results,” Bezhashvili said in a statement. He emphasized that NGOs would fail to maintain their independence if they relied on government funding, adding that the move would likely benefit pro-government organizations and serve as a mechanism to bribe voters.

“It’s clear that if non-governmental organizations are financed by the state, they lose their objectivity and independence,” he added, pointing to the “significant role” international partners have played in developing Georgia’s civil society.