For over a decade, WECF Georgia stood at the frontline of advancing gender equality, environmental justice, and democratic participation. Together with our partners, we co-created transformative initiatives, such as building gender-just energy solutions, amplifying marginalized voices through ecofeminist projects, encouraging ethical journalism, and creating a network of thousands of women, youth, and community leaders across Georgia’s diverse regions. 

This closure can be seen as a direct consequence of the rapidly and systematically shrinking civil society in Georgia. Since the 2024 parliamentary elections, which were widely criticized by local and international observers for their lack of transparency and fairness – the Georgian government, led by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has pushed through a number of laws that have fundamentally undermined democratic freedoms. These include the revival of the Foreign Agents Law in 2024, the adoption of the FARA law in 2025, new restrictions on receiving foreign grants, and the removal of civil society from any meaningful participation in public decision-making. 

Together, these laws have created a legal framework designed to intimidate, isolate, and criminalize independent civil society organizations and their allies. Any group that receives international support, speaks out for human rights, or advocates for inclusion and equality is now at risk of being labeled an “enemy of the state” and treated as such. 

The political climate has grown increasingly hostile, particularly for feminist, environmental, and minority rights groups. Peaceful protest is met with police violence and fines. Media outlets face censorship and lawsuits. Queer communities and their allies have been publicly attacked, and even basic terms like “gender” have been removed from official legislation. What we are witnessing is not slow erosion but a deliberate demolishing of democratic norms. 

Despite that Georgian society continues to protest non-stop for more than 200 days since November 28th, 2024. Peaceful demonstrations have been met with increasingly aggressive state repression. Several of our colleagues and partners were fined simply for participating in civic actions and some of them were even detained under vague charges designed to intimidate and silence people.

Facing this escalating pressure, and out of deep concern for the safety and well-being of our team and local partners, we have made the painful decision to close our office in Georgia.  Despite these hostile conditions, WECF Georgia was able to deliver groundbreaking work over 10 years of existence: 

• Installing over 500 energy-efficient technologies in rural communities affected by energy poverty and integrating gender in climate policies; 
• Supporting over 100 grassroots initiatives and youth-led projects under Women’s Power for Inclusion, reaching more than 10,000 people;
• Promoting gender sensitive and ethical reporting and awarding 39 journalists;
• Producing 50 episodes of the feminist podcast “Can You Hear My Voice?”, spotlighting the lived experiences of eco-migrants, minority women, and activists; 
• Researching and addressing the overlooked impacts of climate disasters on women and contributing to policy debates on eco-migration and reintegration of labor migrants; 
• Training tool and sessions on gender responsive climate finance for stakeholders from authorities and civil society;
• Promoting inclusive STEAM education in Georgia and the EU 

These achievements were not just programs, they were acts of care and resistance, that we believe will serve a better future for the country. 

We call on the international community to amplify the voices of Georgian civil society, demand the abolishing of repressive laws, and support those who continue to resist authoritarianism with courage and care. 

Our work in Georgia may be forced to be paused, but our solidarity will not. 

In solidarity, WECF International