Co-founder of Georgian opposition-leaning TV channel urges EU to deliver promised funding

Misha Mshvildadze, the co-founder of the Georgian opposition-leaning Formula TV, on Wednesday criticised the European Union for failing to deliver on its promise to allocate €120 million to NGOs and independent media in Georgia instead of the Government in 2025.

In a social media message, Mshvildadze called on the European Union to provide the €120 million in financial support that had been promised to the domestic NGOs and independent media.

He referenced statements made over the past year by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell, who indicated that the funding, initially designated for the Georgian Government, would instead be directed towards civil society organisations and media outlets in 2025.

“For an entire year, Josep Borrell was saying that €120 million would go to NGOs and media in Georgia instead of the Government in 2025 – so what’s going on? The first quarter has passed, half of the media has shut down, and the rest are barely surviving. Before the Georgian Dream [party] adopts new laws banning this too, do something while there’s still time. You have the money, and we know it. If you’re planning to help, do it now, because it's awkward to make promises and then abandon them. Seriously”, Mshvildadze said.