Exemptions from parliamentary approval sought for EU initiatives, sports activities, and academic programs.
Georgian Parliament Streamlines Approval Process for Certain Foreign Grants
In a recent development, the Georgian Parliament has introduced an amendment to the Law on Grants that eases the approval process for specific foreign grants. The draft amendment, passed in May 2025, exempts grants from certain international programs, including those issued by international sports associations, federations, and committees, individual financial aid for education and research abroad, grants under the European Union's Horizon Europe research initiative, and grants from the EU's Erasmus+ education program, from the requirement of government approval.
The new exemption is justified by the lower risks associated with these programs concerning infringement of sovereignty, political interference, or security concerns. The explanatory note accompanying the draft amendment states that Georgia financially contributes to the implementation of these initiatives. Previously, all grants required prior approval from the government or a designated authority, with violations resulting in legal consequences, including fines equal to twice the amount of the grant received.
The amendment was initiated by a group of nine Georgian parliamentarians, signifying a relaxation in the previously stringent grant approval regime. This exemption recognizes the lower risk profile of these specific programs while maintaining government oversight over other foreign grants. Though the overarching Law on Grants imposes strict government approval requirements on foreign funding, the recent amendment exempts Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe grants, as well as some other international grants, from needing government approval. These grants are now considered less threatening and can be more easily received by Georgian organizations.
Sources:[1] Georgia Today[2] Civil.ge[3] The Parliament of Georgia[4] Agenda: Georgia's Newspaper of Record
The new amendment to the Law on Grants in Georgia allows for expedited approval of certain foreign grants, such as individual financial aid for education and research abroad, granted by international sports associations, federations, and committees, as well as grants under the European Union's Horizon Europe research initiative and the EU's Erasmus+ education program. This means that the finance sector, education-and-self-development industry, and international bodies now have an easier path for providing funding to Georgian organizations without worrying about the implications of political interference or security concerns.
