The results of the 2020 parliamentary elections will determine the path of development of Georgia over the next four years. This period coincides with the growth of external and domestic risks as well as the crucial stage of the implementation of the reforms under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. The way the country handles these challenges will determine its future for many decades to come.

A lot of challenges are faced in the process of democratic development of the country, which are further complicated by Georgia’s internal and external threats, such as: occupation and borderization, polarization of the political process and growing radicalism, difficult economic and social situation, energy security, environmental degradation and climate problems that poses a threat to the country’s survival. The situation is further aggravated by problems of democratic governance, justice, media freedom and a lack of strategic visions. Under these conditions, maintaining Georgia’s independence and worthy future requires the consolidation of the society, the emergence of a future perspective, the mobilization of forces and timely structural changes to ensure international guarantees for rapid development and security.

We, member organizations of the Georgian National Platform of Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum, believe that the most effective way to achieve these goals is to ensure acceleration in the reforms pace of the country, effective and steadfast fulfillment of the commitments undertaken under the Association Agreement and dramatic improvement of the process of European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Moreover, we consider that the integration process should be aimed at the final result   – Georgia’s EU membership. Meanwhile we believe that Georgia is part of Europe and therefore we should assume responsibility for shaping common future together with other Europeans.

New Legislative and Executive Branches, which will exercise authority following October 31, 2020 elections, should make every effort and use the next election cycle to prepare Georgia for EU membership through mobilization of the population and implementation of reforms in order Georgia could submit a duly substantiated application for EU membership within the next 4 years.

We understand the complexity of the EU accession process and the diversity of the international situation. However, we believe that this process represents, on the one hand, an effective means of rapid democratic development and economic progress of the country as well as the use of Georgia’s right to its European perspective, to express our clear intention.

State-level systemic changes and changes in public life are required to succeed, among them: a fundamental change in domestic political processes and economic policies, which will enhance trust between citizens and state institutions; introduction of a culture of constructive political debate and focusing public efforts on solving existing problems; implementation of public administration reform based on the principles of good governance; fundamental judicial and media reforms. These principles should become the guiding principles of the new parliament and the new government.

We hereby urge the political parties participating in the elections to express their attitudes towards the aforementioned principles and objectives and to include them in their election platforms and to actively implement them.

We, representatives of various sectors of the civil sector, on our part, express our readiness to actively cooperate and contribute to the rapid development of the country, achieving security and EU integration.

Undersigned Organizations:

  1. Liberal Academy Tbilisi
  2. Journalism Resource Center
  3. Georgian Young lawyers Association (GYLA)
  1. Association and Radio “Green Wave”
  2. International Business and Economic Development Centre
  3. Association of Business Consulting Organizations of Georgia
  4. The Greens Movement of Georgia/ Friends of the Earth Georgia 
  5. World Experience for Georgia  (WEG)
  6. Youth Alternative 
  7. Samtskhe-Javakheti Regional Association “Toleranti” 
  8. Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of Generations” 
  9. Georgian Trade Unions Confederation  (GTUC)
  10. Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, (IDFI)
  11. Open Society – Georgia Foundation (OSGF)
  12. Foundation ”Multi-ethnic Resource Centre on Civic Education Development”
  13. Public Movement “Multinational Georgia” (PMMG)
  14. Human Rights House Tbilisi  (HRC)
  15. Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG)
  16. Georgia International Development Agency
  17. Women Enterprise Fund Georgia
  18. The Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD)
  19. Kutaisi Education Development and Employment Centre (EDEC)
  20. Women’s Political Resource Center 
  21. International Press Institute – Georgian national committee 
  22. Union “Ecotech” 
  23. EU-Georgia Business Council 
  24. International Center for Advancement of Research, Technology and Innovation
  25. Association of Tea Producers Georgia “Georgian Tea”
  26. Association “Merkuri”
  27. Junior achievement of Georgia
  28. International Center of Geopolitical Research
  29. Foundation for Media Development
  30. Free Choice
  31. Community Foundation Genius Loci
  32. Association “Atinati”
  33. Association of Youth Journalists “New Vision” 
  34. Association European Studies for Innovative Development in Georgia
  35. Association “Woman in Business”
  36. IDP Association “Consent”
  37. Cultural-Humanitarian Fund “Sukhumi”
  38. Foundation “Caucasus Environment”
  39. Association “Elkana”
  40. International Organization of Human Rights Protection and Prisoners Social Welfare 
  41. Coalition Homecare Georgia 
  42. Media Monitoring Centre of Georgia
  43. Peaceful and Business Caucasus
  44. International Foundation “LEA” 
  45. Repatriates’ Union
  46. Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflict
  47. Association for the Efficient Use of the Georgian Energy Resources
  48. Association for the Farmers’ Rights Defence
  49. Teachers’ Union “Education and Universe”
  50. Georgia Press Association 
  51. Association DEA 
  52. Small and Medium Telecom Operators Association of Georgia
  53. Free Media Space
  54. Charity Humanitarian Center “Abkhazia”
  55. Center for Competition 
  56.  International Business Development and Investment Promotion Centre
  57. Union “Healthy Children”
  58. Georgian Producers Federation
  59. Association “Imedi” Movement of DP Women for Peace
  60. Center for Development and Engagement
  61. Association “HERA”
  62. A Civil Platform for Peace between Georgians, Abkhazians and Ossetians
  63. Institute for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Strategic Studies
  64. Civil Society Institute 
  65. Public Advocacy
  66. Wildlife Protection Society “Swamp”
  67. Healthy World
  68. New Generation for Democratic Georgia 
  69. Tourism Association of Guria
  70. Unite for Healthcare and Education 
  71. Human Rights Research Centre
  72. Center for Civic Education and Development
  73. Caucasian House Georgia
  74.  Union “Anti-Violence Network of Georgia”
  75. Bridge of Friendship – Kartlosi
  76. Enterprise Innovation Development Center 
  77. Guria Agribusiness Center 
  78. Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads
  79. Green Caucasus
  80.  Studio “Re” 
  81. Iris Group
  82. International Center for Environmental Research
  83. Youth Workers’ Association of Georgia