JP "Human Rights-Phase 3"

B0550 - Georgia - Tbilisi

REPORTING PERIOD   9 December 2024 to 31 December 2025

 

Narrative report






















REPORT DATE: May 2026

 

 

1.   Executive Summary

This Action, “Human Rights for All – Phase 3” is designed to tackle these challenges. It is a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN). It will be implemented as a joint programme (JP) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The JP aims to comprehensively address human rights issues and promote the realization of civic, political, economic, and social rights, with a particular focus on people living in vulnerable environments, such as ethnic and religious minorities, persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+. The JP adopts a three-pronged approach. Firstly, it will strengthen civil society organisations, human rights defenders and the national human rights institution in their oversight and advocacy roles. Secondly, it will empower rights-holders to assert their rights and drive positive change within the communities. Thirdly, it will advocate for improvements in human rights assessments and policy frameworks, promoting alignment with international – UN/EU/Council of Europe (CoE) - standards through engagement with relevant stakeholders.

 The overall objective of the project - to ensure a better protection of human rights for all in Georgia, including those in vulnerable situation - complies with the international obligations of Georgia, deriving from UN human rights treaties, EU-Georgia Association Agreement, as well as other documents forging Georgia’s path to EU integration including nine steps outlined by the European Commission, Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework as well as with the national priorities.

The JP is structured around two Specific Objectives (SOs):

·       SO1. Enhanced policy dialogue on the alignment of Georgian legislation, policies, institutional practices and the functioning of the criminal justice system with international standards on the protection of human rights (civil, political, economic, and social).

·       SO2. Increased involvement of rights holders and other key institutional and relevant stakeholders in monitoring, advocacy, and protection of human rights, including the most vulnerable and minority groups.

These objectives with the outputs presented below aim to ensure that all individuals in Georgia, particularly those in vulnerable situations, benefit from enhanced human rights protections through robust national and local implementation frameworks.

 

2.   Background

Over the past decade, Georgia has pursued significant reforms aimed at upholding the rule of law, human rights, and democratic principles. Despite numerous advancements, constant challenges in governance and democracy persist, including political polarization, and setbacks in human rights and democratic reforms, especially since 2022. Judicial independence, transparency, and accountability in state institutions remain areas of concern, alongside ongoing obstacles in realizing human rights for minorities and disadvantaged groups, exacerbated by a shrinking space for civil society due to increased hostility and restrictive legislative measures. These issues have contributed to a noticeable decline in fundamental rights and the rule of law. Moreover, Georgia faces significant hurdles in effective implementation of UN human rights treaties and EU benchmarks as well as fulfilment of its obligations, with minimal progress observed in critical areas, such as human rights, media pluralism, and civil society engagement.

3.   Key Results Achieved

·       Level of Reporting:

Output level results

Project Outputs:

JP "Human Rights-Phase 3"

Contributing Outcomes:

Outcome 1 By 2025, all people in Georgia enjoy improved good governance, more open, resilient and accountable institutions, rule of law, equal access to justice, human rights, and increased representation and participation of women in decision making.

Contributing Outputs:

GEO_OUTPUT_1.2 National legislation and policies to eliminate all types of discrimination, deliver gender-equal results, enhance human rights and equal access to justice, and equitable access to/universal coverage of quality social services, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalized.

Progress Note:

In 2025, the Joint Programme Human Rights for All – Phase III, implemented by UNDP and OHCHR with support from the EU, made significant progress toward achieving the planned specific objectives and outputs. Through adaptive programming and risk-based implementation, the Joint Programme preserved core human rights capacities and reinforced evidence-based advocacy at national and international levels.

During the reporting period, Georgia continued to experience a noticeable deterioration in democratic governance, the rule of law and the overall human rights environment. Political polarization deepened following the October 2024 parliamentary elections and the suspension of efforts to open EU accession negotiations until late 2028. These developments have triggered mass, countrywide protests that have continued throughout the reporting period, further exacerbating tensions and instability. The turbulent and restrictive operating environment also affected project implementation, creating additional operational challenges.

Against this backdrop, the Joint Programme adjusted its implementation modalities to mitigate risks and ensure continuity of support to civil society and rights-holders. Through adaptive programming, flexible partnerships and diversified support mechanisms, the Joint Programme maintained engagement with vulnerable groups, strengthened resilience among civil society actors and preserved core human rights capacities and rights-based partnerships. Despite significant constraints, the Joint Programme achieved substantive progress toward its intended results during the reporting period, demonstrating responsiveness, relevance, and effectiveness in a rapidly evolving context.

Key results yielded within the reporting period included the following:

·       Strengthened oversight of human rights, data-driven advocacy, legal aid, and empowered youth through capacitating 10 CSOs through 13 sub-grants, including one women-led organisation working on women’s rights and gender equality.

·       Ensured access to justice for 1,168 individuals through legal aid and strategic litigation.

·       Enabled legal representation for 291 individuals in 301 cases before national and international mechanisms, including 142 cases before national courts and the UN and CoE human rights supervisory bodies.

·       Facilitated access to mental health support for 218 individuals, with 82% reporting improved well-being.

·       Enabled the production of 19 knowledge products, including nine thematic reports on human rights protection, minority rights, labour rights, criminal justice and surveillance, eight practical guidelines on key human rights issues, one easy-read version of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and an Interpretative Guide on Access to Remedy in Cases of Business-Related Human Rights Abuse.

·       Supported the submission of three alternative reports to UN human rights mechanisms (Committee Against Torture, Human Rights Council for the Universal Periodic Review by two CSOs through grant schemes. In addition, as a result of programme capacity-building activity, an Organization of Persons with Disabilities submitted an alternative report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

·       Strengthened civil society resilience and coordination through the establishment of four Civil Society Forums, providing a safe platform for 112 CSO representatives and human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, from across Georgia to collectively identify priority needs, assess risks related to shrinking civic space, and develop adaptive strategies for continued human rights engagement.

·       Promoted human rights culture among rights-holders through rigorous human rights and outreach campaigns, reaching over 7.7 million views.

4.   Key Challenges Encountered

During the reporting period, project implementation was significantly affected by the deteriorating democratic governance, rule of law and human rights environment in Georgia, marked by political polarization, mass protests and the suspension of EU accession negotiations until the year 2028. The adoption of restrictive legislation, particularly laws on foreign influence, grants, media, “family values”, as well as the removal of the terms ‘gender’ and ‘gender identity’ from national legislation, narrowed civic space, heightened legal uncertainty and created operational, financial and reputational risks for international partners, CSOs and media actors. These developments constrained planned engagement with duty-bearers, limited opportunities for policy dialogue, and required continuous reassessment of implementation modalities.

5.   Project Risks and Issues

All risks identified at the project design stage materialized, including shrinking civic space, weakened state-civil society cooperation, and increased pressure on rights-based actors. However, through adaptive management and predefined countermeasures, the Joint Programme mitigated the impact of these risks by closely monitoring contextual developments, diversifying advocacy and support tools, and strategically prioritizing feasible areas of intervention.

6.   Lessons Learned

During the reporting period, a key lesson learned was the critical importance of flexibility, rapid decision-making, demonstration of strong responsiveness, relevance and effectiveness along with sustained dialogue with partners to maintain continuity of support in an increasingly volatile and restrictive operating environment. Action: Given the likelihood that these challenges will persist in 2026, along with further risks of human rights deterioration, constraints on operational modalities and reduced willingness of experts to cooperate amid existing legislation, it is essential for the Joint Programme to sustain an adaptive and responsive approach to ensure continued and effective support to civil society and rights-holders.

7.   Conclusions and Way Forward

N/A

8.   Other Reporting Requirements

·       Reporting Requirements

First narrative report (reporting period covering from 9 December 2024 to 31 December 2025) is sent to the EU for their feedback. The report will be uploaded once finalized.