On 2 July, Lex Populi hosted a panel discussion in The Hague on the rapid closing of civic space in Georgia and what it means for democratic security across Europe. Facilitated by Lex Populi Managing Director Rajan Shah, “Stopping the Clock: Georgia’s Five Minutes to Dictatorship” included Transparency International Georgia Executive Director Eka Gigauri as well as two Lex Populi experts — Rule of Law Advisor Georgi Chkheidze and Civil Society Advisor Boris Strecansky. Their insights provided an overview of the current state of affairs in Georgia, as well as lessons learned and suggestions for the way forward for funders and international organizations both in Georgia and in other countries experiencing similar democratic backsliding.
The State of Play: What’s Happening in Georgia
Panelists described a trajectory that echoes patterns seen in Hungary and Russia: laws that are written to be vague; courts and police brought into line; and independent media and online speech increasingly targeted. This repression isn’t only about silencing dissent — it’s designed to exhaust those individuals and organizations who might push back against the regime. Ambiguous laws, funding freezes, and steep fines force organizations to pour their energy into legal defense and banking compliance, leaving little left for rights work. An example of this effect can be seen in the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, which was recently forced to dramatically decrease its free legal aid for activists and human rights defenders after resources ran dry. However, protests have nonetheless continued for more than 500 days — a sign of real resilience, even as fatigue sets in. This is compounded by pullback of international funders, who faced with working in a legal landscape with no easy answers. The amended Law on Grants now requires government approval for foreign funding. Some donors are pursuing that approval, though the law’s intentional ambiguity means it could later be revoked, leaving both donor and recipient exposed.
Lessons for Europe and Beyond
Drawing on what they have seen — and haven’t — in Georgia, the panelists distilled three key lessons for preventing similar outcomes in other European countries that, like Slovakia, are facing the deterioration of civic and democratic space.
- The warning signs are recognizable — and recognizably early. The democratic backsliding and compression of civic space in Georgia, Hungary, and Slovakia have all shared a common script: widespread “foreign agent” rhetoric directed at activist organizations; defunding of civil society through the imposition of approval requirements or selective decision-making, excessive fines for lack of compliance, and targeting of organizational staff; fast-tracking of restrictive laws; and the imposition of excessive administrative burdens including inspections and audits. Panelists were candid that Georgia’s own civil society should have mobilized more swiftly back in early 2022, when the first symptoms appeared. The lesson for Europe is to treat narrative change — which includes smearing and “foreign agent” framing — as a prodromal symptom of democratic backsliding, not background noise.
- EU membership is a safeguard, not a guarantee. Hungary was and Slovakia is on a fast-track of shrinking civic space, but they’re moderated by EU Treaty protections and institutions. Georgia has no such cushion, which is precisely why its trajectory is faster and deeper, and why the EU accession path matters as more than symbolism.
- Civic space is democratic security infrastructure. Election monitors, legal aid providers, independent media, watchdogs, minority-rights groups, and local civic organizations need protection before they’re forced into survival mode — not after. When the narrative starts to prioritize smears and foreign agent rhetoric toward these groups, democratic backsliding follows.
Next Steps for International Funders and Organizations
Panelists converged on a set of concrete priorities for international funders and organizations that aim to support those pushing back against the closing of civic space in Georgia. Importantly, some of these steps can be taken in other countries before they get as far down this road as well.
- Move faster. Time is running out; delayed responses from abroad have already cost ground.
- Back a defensive-democratic minimum. Support the repeal of repressive laws through Council of Europe, ECtHR, and universal jurisdiction mechanisms; press for the release of detained political prisoners; keep the European path alive; help document police abuse; defend independent media; and help preserve the bare operating capacity of CSOs.
- Fund strategic litigation. Support organizations to bring cases pushing back on foreign agent and other repressive laws before both Georgian courts and the European Court of Human Rights, while Georgia remains inside the Council of Europe system.
- Shift toward trust-based, flexible philanthropy. Provide agile funding that covers core costs and urgent needs directly: emergency funding; legal defense; cybersecurity; relocation support; and lifelines for independent media and activists working both in and outside the country.
- Support resource diversification. Help Georgian organizations, including those operating outside of the country, including community fundraising — while recognizing crowdfunding can itself become a target for state retaliation against both organizers and donors. Recognize that while resource diversification takes time, in the long run it builds stronger connections between civil society and the public-at-large, ultimately enhancing both the legitimacy of civic action in the public space and the resilience of civil society against future attacks.
Conclusion
The throughline of the discussion is that when the narrative starts to shift against civil society, democratic backsliding tends to follow. Georgia’s civil society is holding the line largely on its own, but support is needed to prevent resistance fatigue. Ultimately, the panel’s message to funders, policymakers, and allies abroad was direct: act now, and act fast.
