Georgian Parliament official claims “vast majority” of domestic foreign-funded NGOs practically engaged in “anti-state activities”

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Sunday claimed that the vast majority of domestic foreign-funded NGOs were practically engaged in anti-state activities.

Matikashvili commented on the law on grants, which would enable public organisations operating in Georgia to receive state funding through Government grants.

He has noted that this amendment aims to fund organisations whose activities genuinely serve the interests of the state and the people.

“The problems within the NGO sector became particularly evident and publicly known after the USAID scandal. For years, we have been discussing in our country that the vast majority of foreign-funded NGOs are practically engaged in anti-state activities. Naturally, this does not mean that the civil sector does not play a positive role in the country's development. However, the recent amendments to the law on grants allow the Government to fund those NGOs whose objectives directly align with the national interests of the state and the people”, the Parliament official said.