Increase Transparency of State Grant Funding System (GE0096)

Description of the current state and the challenge

Based on the recommendations from non-governmental organizations, OGP Georgia Forum members, the Administration of the Government of Georgia, in collaboration with partner agencies, initiated reforms to the existing system of allocating grant funding by state/public institutions in 2018. As evidenced by practice, Georgian legislation lacks provisions encompassing general principles and procedures for the allocation of grants by ministries and legal entities of public law. Additionally, there is no uniform legal standard governing the provision of grants by government agencies. Moreover, certain government agencies are not integrated into the existing government grant system. According to the final report on the implementation of the OGP Georgia Action Plan 2018-2019, collaborative efforts were initiated in 2018 by the Administration of the Government of Georgia and the OGP Georgia Forum member N(N)LE Civil Society Institute to reform the system of allocating grant funding by state/public institutions. A working group was formed, consisting of representatives from the Administration of the Government of Georgia, the Civil Society Institute, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, and the Public Procurement Agency. Numerous meetings were conducted, resulting in the preparation of multiple versions of draft amendments to the Law of Georgia "On Grants.” Several issues were agreed upon, while the need for additional work on certain topics was acknowledged. Depending on the significance of each issue, it is necessary to continue the ongoing process, conduct further consultations, and reach a consensus on the final version of the proposed draft law.

Brief description of the commitment

The commitment entails the completion of consultations on amendments to the Law of Georgia "On Grants," the preparation of the final version of the draft law, and its submission to the Parliament of Georgia for approval.

Milestones | Expected Output

3.1 Conducting consultations with stakeholders to prepare legal amendments | Consultations with various government agencies, public organizations and experts on the preparation of amendments to legislation are completed

3.2 Preparation and discussion of draft amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Grants” | Draft amendments to the Law of Georgia “On Grants” are prepared and discussed within the framework of the OGP Georgia Forum

3.3 Submission of the draft amendments to the Parliament of Georgia | Draft amendments to the law are submitted to the Parliament of Georgia

Indicator

Submission of draft amendments to the law of Georgia “On Grants” to the Parliament of Georgia