The European Union (EU) and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) joined forces to fund the initiative, “Civil Society STAR Initiative: CSOs as Sustainable, Transparent, Accountable, and Resilient Development Actors in Georgia” (2021-2024). The project’s overarching goal was to inclusively strengthen civil society as an independent, sustainable, transparent, and accountable development actor across all regions of Georgia.

By fostering democratic values, enhancing organizational capacities, and building a culture of collaboration, the initiative empowered civil society organizations (CSOs) to take an active role in driving sustainable development and addressing the needs of local communities. This comprehensive effort reinforced the pivotal role of CSOs in fostering social cohesion, accountability, and progress throughout the country.

Consortium
The project was spearheaded by a diverse and experienced Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), with contributions from prominent civil society organizations, including:

• Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG)
• Civil Society Institute (CSI)
• Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC)
• Economic Development and Empowerment Center (EDEC)
• Institute for European Politics (IEP)

Together, these organizations brought a wealth of expertise and resources to support the initiative’s vision of a robust, transparent, and resilient civil society in Georgia.

Main Results

The STAR initiative operated in an increasingly hostile environment for civil society, with high-level government representatives leading smear campaigns against civil society actors and later introducing restrictive laws. Nevertheless, STAR successfully supported the resilience of diverse civil society actors, particularly in Georgia’s regions. The project made significant efforts to strengthen civil society’s capacities, foster partnerships between CSOs and businesses, CSOs and Media, and reinforce links between CSOs and local communities.

Over the course of four years, the project achieved key milestones, including:

• More than 200 individual consultations for various civil society actors
• Over 40 regional meetings, discussions, and workshops
• 20 pro bono mediations, forums, and marathons involving businesses
• 15 regional CSO fairs and volunteering forums
• 3 forums for regional community-based organizations
• 3 business awards ‘Meliora’ recognizing socially responsible businesses
• 11 web platforms to raise awareness, enhance capacity, and facilitate networking and community engagement
• Over 100 publications, policy papers, surveys, and analyses.

STAR issued 226 subgrants and scholarships to support civil society actors of various types, promoting diverse activities such as community actions, advocacy and oversight, partnerships, volunteering, philanthropy, youth initiatives, community foundations, crowdfunding, media coverage, self-governance and accountability.

Within the This Country is Yours campaign:

• More than 100 public meetings were held, reaching over 5,000 youths and teachers
• 360 students and teachers – youth contest winners – were awarded
• Over 100 storylines were aired on national media
• Nearly 300 stories were featured on regional media outlets

These efforts strengthened civil society’s capacities, built stronger connections with stakeholders, and fostered greater community engagement – critical elements for civil society to withstand today’s challenging environment.

• 800 CSOs, including 150 CBOs, as well as initiative groups, and other forms of grassroots
• 3 000 youths and 600 schoolteachers
• 5000 social activists and citizens, including elderly and those from vulnerable groups
• 100 business entities
• 250 media representatives
• 8 national & regional universities

STAR provided financial support for third parties through more than 220 subgrants, totaling up to 1.8 million Euros.

‘This Country is Yours’

As a flagship initiative of the STAR project, the “This Country is Yours” campaign has emerged as a dynamic and impactful effort to inspire civic engagement, foster European values, and highlight the critical role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in shaping a better future.

Launched with the goal of promoting unity, democracy, and a shared vision for progress, the campaign has reached over one million citizens over the past four years, spanning cities, towns, and remote communities across the country. Georgian opinion makers have traveled extensively across the regions, meeting with diverse communities to empower individuals and strengthen civic participation in the nation’s development and progress.

Through engaging public dialogues, vibrant media campaigns, and grassroots initiatives, “This Country is Yours” has encouraged citizens to play an active role in shaping their country’s future while embracing European integration as a shared aspiration.

By amplifying the voices of CSOs and creating platforms for collaboration, the initiative has become a catalyst for change, demonstrating the strength of unity in diversity. Its success underscores the importance of shared responsibility, inclusivity, and a commitment to building a prosperous, democratic society.

The campaign’s widespread impact reflects not only its innovative approach but also the resonance of its message: this country belongs to every citizen, and its future lies in our hands.

Under STAR, 10 regional CSOs performed the functions of regional hubs – local information and logistical support points for civil society and activists:

• Local Democracy Agency Georgia, Imereti
• Innovation and Civic Development Center – Progress House, Guria
• Fund Abkhazintercont, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti
• Association Atinati, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
• Independent Journalists’ House, Adjara
• Society Biliki, Shida Kartli
• Civic Integration Foundation, Kvemo Kartli
• Union of Democrat Meskhs, Samtskhe-Javakheti
• Media Center Kakheti, Kakheti
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti Regional Hub, Mtskheta-Mtianeti

A new project, REACT for Georgia (Resilient, Engaged, Active Civil Society for Transformation), has recently been launched. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of local civil society organizations across Georgia’s regions, enabling them to navigate current challenges and continue playing a pivotal role in supporting democratic governance and fostering civic engagement.

Aligning with the overarching goal of supporting civil society and promoting democratic values in the country, REACT for Georgia has established Civil Society Hubs (CS Hubs) as functional institutional backbone of the sector in all 10 regions of Georgia. Furthermore, the action encourages community-based organisations (CBOs) and civic activists to address local challenges and advocate for positive changes. 

This action builds on the knowledge and experience gained during the implementation of previous two large-scale interventions: Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative (2017-2021) and Civil Society STAR Initiative (2021-2024).

REACT for Georgia has two specific objectives:

1. To strengthen ties between civil society actors and other stakeholders, including local businesses, media, and the broader public, and to prepare them for meaningful dialogue with authorities when conditions allow.
2. To enhance the institutional capacities of local civil society actors, particularly by improving their financial diversification strategies, and community outreach efforts.

In the regions of Georgia, REACT covers:

• 500 organised groups (CSOs, CBOs and initiative groups)
• 3 000 citizens (activists, youth, schoolteachers, academics)
• 50 business entities

The project also includes the complex grant component to support civil society hubs, local initiatives, civic activists, crowdfunding, corporate social responsibility and etc.