Georgian CSOs Sustainability Index Unchanged in 2014

Sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Georgia has remained unchanged in 2014 after a slight improvement a year earlier, according to CSO Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, which is compiled annually by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

In 2014 Georgian civil society sector’s combined sustainability score stood at 4.1 points, same as in 2013.

The CSO Sustainability Index uses a seven-point scale with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of sustainability.

The sector’s sustainability score was at 4.2 for five consecutive years in 2008-20012.

With the score of 4.1 in 2014 Georgia remains in a category where “the civil society sector’s sustainability is minimally affected by practices/policies in this area. Progress may be hampered by a stagnant economy, a passive government, a disinterested media, or a community of good-willed but inexperienced activists”.

According to the new report “overall CSO sustainability did not change in 2014.”

“Organizational capacity declined slightly, due to decreases in funding for CSO capacity building and institutional development,” reads the report, presented on September 9 by Tbilisi-based UN Association of Georgia, which compiles the annual country report on Georgia for USAID’s global publication.

“At the same time, CSOs continued to be active advocates, and CSO advocacy capacity increased as the government was more open to collaborating with non-state actors. Georgian society is increasingly aware of CSOs and their work, leading to an improvement in the sector’s public image,” it says.