Strong Civil Society for Democratic Change

The Civil Society Foundation bolsters those independent and diverse voices and initiatives that serve Georgia’s European aspirations, protection of human rights and freedom of media, integration of minorities and establishment of social justice in the country.

About us

For almost 30 years, the team of the Civil Society Foundation (former Open Society Georgia Foundation) has been committed to promoting and developing civil society in Georgia.

The Civil Society Foundation is a platform bringing together people, organizations and coalitions for democratic change and public good. Through grant funding of the civil sector, initiative groups and people who support the values of a democratic society, and engagement in important advocacy campaigns, the Civil Society Foundation bolsters those independent and diverse voices and initiatives that serve Georgia’s European aspirations, protection of human rights and freedom of media, integration of minorities and establishment of social justice in the country. The Foundation strives to be a driving force behind the European vector of our country remaining vigilant with civil society in its efforts to fight corruption, oppression and authoritarianism.

For almost three decades, the Foundation’s investment in the development of an open and democratic society in Georgia have amounted to more than USD 118m. This support was endowed to strengthen youth, women, children, refugees, students, professional groups, socially vulnerable groups, persons with health problems or disabilities.

Team of the Civil Society Foundation managed to achieve significant changes by supporting newly established organizations, initiative groups and active citizens, motivating advocacy campaigns, educational initiatives, publications and the discussion platforms.

Our stories

Stories about people, diverse activities and initiatives that come together for democratic change and the public good.

What is (not) changing in the Open Society Georgia Foundation – Keti Khutsishvili’s op-ed

For almost 30 years, the Open Society Georgia Foundation has been a platform uniting people, organizations, or coalitions for democratic changes and public good. From 2024, our team with the unchanged mission and values will continue to operate under a new name – the Civil Society Foundation (CSF). Civil Society Foundation (CSF) is the successor […]

We will not obey the “Russian law”!

The decision of the Civil Society Foundation remains unchanged: we will not obey the “Russian law” and will not register in the registry that is degrading. The reason for this decision of the Foundation remains unchanged: the “Russian law” is directed not only against Georgian media and Georgian non-governmental organizations, but also against every citizen, […]

How Should Nine Steps Be Fulfilled to Start EU Accession Negotiations

In December of 2023, the European Commission came out with a decision to grant Georgia EU candidate status, after which our country must carry out urgent reforms in nine priority areas. A Coalition uniting 12 CSOs [1] led by the Civil Society Foundation (formerly the Open Society Georgia Foundation) has prepared a detailed vision outlining […]

Taming Writers Failed Why and how the Georgian independent stand was organized at the Frankfurt Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair 2023 was of critical importance to our country. Publishers and writers from a country with a solid reputation, being in a boycott with the Ministry of Culture and Sports, were faced with the task of maintaining the connections they had developed over the years and adequately presenting the real picture of […]

Lazare, who made the children living in the village of Nikozi fall in love with rock climbing

In Nikozi, young people are glad about the arrival of spring because they start training in rock climbing. At this time of the year, Lazare, their main coach, and fan, comes more often. He worked in Tbilisi, orphanage houses in Dzegvi and Bediani, went through the August War, visited many monasteries, and then became the […]

Paradise For Professionals = Salzburg Seminars

“It was a Paradise for professionals” – this is how endocrinologist Natia Vashakmadze recalls the Salzburg Medical Seminars, in which she participated not once with the support of the Civil Society Foundation. The Salzburg Medical Seminars is a platform that brings together colleagues from different fields of healthcare to exchange experience with each other. The […]

16 Years after the August War

According to the historic decision of the Hague International Tribunal, the Georgian side did not commit any crimes prohibited by international law during the August war. There are no Georgian privates, military, or political officials among the accused identified in 2022 as a result of the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. […]

Yes – to Europe, no – to Russian law!

We, the Georgian media and non-governmental organizations, vehemently oppose the Russian law reintroduced by the authorities. “Georgian Dream” breaking its own word and deceiving people is directed not only against Georgian media and Georgian non-governmental organizations but also against every citizen and the European future of Georgia. Georgian non-governmental organizations help people. Passing this Russian […]

The path of twin sisters leading to self-development

It is said that twins cannot live without each other. Anna and Naniko- twin sisters, who, ever since their childhood, have been sharing a common environment first at home and then at middle school, rehabilitation centers, and institutions, and who, subsequently, became successively involved in the courses under the LINKS project, also talk about the […]

Ilia and animals – the way to the work of his dream

“Can only a human being be grateful?! I can see the same gratitude in the eyes of animals when I try to save their lives”, Ilia Jincharadze shares his thoughts with us. He is learning the profession of his childhood dream and is doing a paid internship at a veterinary pharmacy. His father was a […]

Background

The Civil Society Foundation (CSF) is the successor of the mission and history of the Open Society Georgia Foundation. Since 1994, the Open Society Georgia Foundation has been part of the global network of Open Society Foundations. In parallel with structural, managerial and geographical changes taking place in the global network, the Civil Society Foundation was transformed into a local organization and keeps on with the priority areas under a renewed status and under the new name “Civil Society Foundation”. The Foundation remains loyal to its mission and values and remains to be a global network partner in the region.

The Foundation played an important role in reaching democratic changes; it has empowered society in times of war, social upheaval, or the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, has made significant contribution to advancing key reforms in public health, expanding space for participatory democracy and civic engagement, protecting human rights and the rule of law, and empowering free and independent media.

Pivotal achievements in the history of the Civil Society Foundation

Observation Mission – My Vote for EU

CSF is a member of the observation mission My Vote for EU uniting 30 Georgian Civil Society organizations, which aims to observe the October 26, 2024, elections at all polling stations and initiate/join the campaign "My Vote to the European Union". Conducting a robust pro-EU campaign and election observation becomes critically essential in this period, serving not only an evaluative role but also, crucially, a preventive one against potential violations.

EU Candidacy Check & EU Accession Check – monitoring the implementation of the EU's 12 Priorities and 9 Steps

Together with partner non-governmental organizations, the Foundation regularly assessed the fulfillment of the 12 priorities defined for Georgia by the EU for granting the Candidate Status and the 9 steps necessary to be achieved for the opening of negotiations on accession to the EU.

More than 1,200 young people with modern education

Thousands of young people have received degrees from Western universities thanks to the Foundation’s scholarships.

More than 700 doctors with extended qualification

To this day, representatives of the medical profession participate in the Salzburg Seminars.

USD 8 million for media development

Online and regional media organizations, which are currently leading, began their operation with the support of the Foundation.

Monitoring of the Association Agreement

The Foundation took an active part in the development of the annual Action Plan for the implementation of the Association Agreement and continues to monitor the implementation of reforms envisaged by the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

Children’s hospice

Since 1999, the Foundation has been introducing palliative care in the country for people with chronic and untreated deseases, and in 2017 the first children’s hospice in Georgia was opened.

Protection of cultural heritage

The Foundation has allotted more than USD 5 million to preserve paintings and frescoes in Georgian churches and monasteries, strengthen church buildings and create e-archives.

Hepatitis C Elimination Program

In 2011, the Foundation launched an advocacy campaign to promote access to Hepatitis C diagnostics and treatment. Local and international cooperation made it possible to implement this program, first in penitentiary institutions, and then throughout the country.

Election Media Center

On the initiative of the Foundation, the media center, operating on election days, is the only means for the media and public at large to continuously get unbiased information about the results of election observation by local NGOs.

Free legal aid

Eventually to the cooperation between the Foundation and the Ministry of Justice in 2004-2012, a Free Legal Aid Service was opened in Georgia, which annually serves more than 30,000 people free of charge.

A study of the context of torture of prisoners in penitentiary institutions and its systematicity

A research document prepared by the Foundation is the only document of its kind that assesses the situation in Georgian prisons in 2003-2013.

Community-based (home) mental health service

After large psychiatric institutions had been dissolved, community-based services reduced the need for hospitalization of patients in psychiatric institutions by 90%.

Homelessness and adequate housing

Eventually to the research and subsequent advocacy campaign supported by the Foundation, the Government of Georgia took responsibility to elaborate a National Housing Policy within the framework of Open Government Action Plan.

Ongoing Programs

Human Rights Program

The goal of the program is to protect human rights, equality and democracy in Georgia by bolstering human rights organizations and activists, and also through creating a common ground for communication and cooperation.

EU Integration Program

The goal of the program is to increase government accountability. These activities include both raising awareness among Georgian citizens about Georgia’s accession to the European Union, and monitoring and preparing reports on the implementation of our country’s commitments to the European Union.

Media Support Program

The goal of the program is to support online media organizations in the capital and regions and empower the Media Advocacy Coalition. The program, together with its partners, implements advocacy campaigns to protect the media and freedom of speech.

National Integration Program

The goal of the program is to support the protection of the rights of national minorities, extend their capabilities and participation in public and political life for the development of an inclusive society in Georgia.