Core Support to Institute for Development Freedom of Information 2023-2025 - ISK Core Support to Institute for Development of Freedom of Information Core Support to Institute for Development Freedom of Information 2023-2025 Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) är en georgisk icke-statlig organisation, som etablerades under 2009 med syftet att bidra till demokratisk styrning genom rätten till offentlig information som förutsättning för medborgerligt deltagande och egenmakt.  Sedan etableringen har IDFI byggt ett rykte som en av Georgiens ledande icke-statliga organisationer i stärkandet av statlig öppenhet, med särskild fokus på informationsfrihet.

Det svenska bidraget kommer är ett kärnstöd till organisationen i enlighet med IDFI:s begäran. Kärnstödet kommer att komplettera till öronmärkt projektstöd från andra givare och ger IDFI flexibilitet att leverera mot verksamhetsmålen enligt organisationens strategiplan 2023-2025. 

Kärnstödet möjliggör för IDFI att utveckla en rad strategiska aktiviteter som kombinerar organisationens roll som granskare av hur staten efterlever principer och regelverk samt som tankesmedja. I den senare kapaciteten kommer IDFI att bedöma policyer och stödja statliga institutioner med analytiskt stöd och rekommendationer. Aktiviteterna är riktade mot strategiska huvudmål för att bekämpa korruption, förbättra transparens inom offentliga institutioner samt öka medborgarnas deltagande i beslutsprocesser. Genom att uppnå dessa mål kan insatsen att bidra till en högre standard inom rättsväsendet, främjande av inkluderande ekonomisk policy, underlätta demokratisk decentralisering och den demokratiska övergångsprocessen, samt upprätthålla press- och yttrandefrihet och främjandet av innovativa lösningar.

IDFI avser att uppnå följande resultat mot insatsens slut:
a) Förbättrad lagstiftning och verkställande gällande informationsfrihet:
b) Förbättrade indikatorer för öppenhet inom staten (Världsbanken, WJR och andra relevanta undersökningar);  
c) Förbättrad tillgänglighet till offentliga arkiv;
e) Ny och offentlig regeringsdata publicerad på offentliga dataplattformer;
f) Statstjänstemännens, journalisters och medborgarnas förmåga förbättrad att arbeta med offentlig information;
g) Ökad omfattning och kvalitet gällande allmänhetens deltagande i politisk debatt och utformning av policy (parlamentarisk öppenhet);
h) Förbättra procedurer  och kvaliteten för konsekvensbedömningar i lagstiftningsprocesser. The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) is a Georgia-based non-governmental organization established in 2009 with the aim to support the development of an informed and empowered society for democratic governance. Since its start IDFI has built a reputation as one of Georgia's leading non-governmental organisations in the area of open government, with an emphasis on access to freedom of information.  

The contribution from Sweden will be provided as core support in accordance with the request from IDFI. Swedish core support will complement ear-marked project support from other donors and enable IDFI with the flexibility to deliver on its organisational and operative objectives in line with its Strategic Plan 2023-2025. 
The core support will enable IDFI to provide a broad set of strategic activities that combines its role of being a watch-dog of the compliance and performance of various branches of government and being a policy think-tank. In the latter capacity, IDFI will assess policies, and provide analytical work and recommendations to the state institutions. The activities are aimed towards the key strategic objectives of combating corruption, improving transparency of public institutions and increasing citizen engagement in decision-making processes. Achieving these objectives will contribute to higher standards of rule of law, promoting more inclusive economic policies, facilitating the democratic decentralization and the democratic transition processes, upholding media and human rights, and promoting innovations to solve outstanding problems.

IDFI intends to achieve the following by the end of the intervention: 
a) Freedom of information legislation and practice is improved; 
b) Georgia’s performance in terms of open government (World Bank, WJR and other relevant surveys) is improved; 
c) Transparency standards of extractive industries are improved; 
d) Openness of registers (final beneficiaries) is improved; 
e) New open government data/datasets published on government and civic open data platforms; 
f) Civil servants, journalists and citizens acquiring new skills of working with open data; 
g) Extent and quality of public participation in the process of policy development is increased at the executive and the legislative levels (Parliamentary openness);
h) The practice and quality of regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is improved. IDFI defined as the key, overall objective "combating corruption, improving transparency of public institutions, increasing citizen engagement in decision-making processes, achieving higher standards of rule of law, promoting more inclusive economic policies, facilitating the democratic decentralization and the democratic transition processes, upholding media and human rights, and promoting innovations to solve outstanding problems".

IDFI has outlined six directions, as they call them, or specific objectives that the organisation will work on. Those objectives are: 1) Open Governance and Anti-Corruption; 2) Rule of Law and Freedom of Media; 3) Local Governance; 4) Social and Economic Policy; 5) Civic Tech and Innovations; and 6) Disinformation and Memory Studies.

For each of those six specific objectives IDFI provided detailed targets that the organisation plans to achieve by the end of its strategy period. Those targets are as follows.

1. Open Governance and Anti-Corruption

1.1 Promoting Open Governance

1.1.1. Georgia successfully implements the EU 12 recommendations and receives the EU candidacy status. IDFI is an active participant in this process;

1.1.2 Georgia adopts the Open Government Partnership Action Plans (Government, Parliament, Adjara Supreme Council, Tbilisi Mayors Office, local governments). New recommendations from IDFI for reforms are successfully advocated in OGP Action Plans at the Government, the Parliament, the Adjara Supreme Council, the Tbilisi Mayors Office, and in local governments; 

1.1.3 Georgias performance in terms of open government (World Bank, WJR, and other relevant surveys) improves;

1.1.4 The extent and quality of public participation in the process of policy development is increased at the executive and legislative levels;

1.1.5 Freedom of information legislation and practice are improved in comparison with the 2022 results;

1.1.6 New Public Administration Reform strategy and action plan are adopted, IDFIs recommendations are successfully advocated;

1.1.7 Public service delivery is improved, IDFI recommendations are successfully advocated.

1.2 Fighting Against Corruption

1.2.1 New anti-corruption strategy and action plan are adopted, with IDFIs recommendations being included;

1.2.2 Anti-corruption reform is implemented and New Anti-corruption legislation is adopted (creation of the Anti-Corruption Agency);

1.2.3 Georgias ranking improves in the Public Procurement Transparency Rating (TPPR standards) and Georgia adopts Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS); Transparent Public Procurement Rating network has a larger number of participating countries;

1.2.4 Recommendations by OECD-ACN successfully advocated by IDFI and implemented by Georgia;

1.2.5 Recommendations by GRECO successfully advocated by IDFI and implemented by Georgia;

1.2.6 UNCAC assessment is performed and IDFI participates by submitting the shadow reports;

1.2.7 The openness of registers (beneficial ownership transparency) is improved, with IDFI having successfully advocated for an open registry;

1.2.8 Transparency standards of extractive industries are improved according to IDFI recommendations;

1.2.9 Whistleblowers protection is improved according to IDFI recommendations;

1.2.10 Anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism financing legislation and practice are improved (Georgias compliance with FATF and Moneyval recommendations is improved);

1.2.11 Accountability and financial transparency of sports federations are improved, with IDFI having successfully advocated for it.



2. Rule of Law and Freedom of Media

2.1. Georgia implements ambitious judicial reform to eliminate corporatism and informal influences on Justices and to achieve a truly independent, efficient, and transparent judiciary;

2.1.1. The adoption of an ambitious Judicial strategy and action plan to eliminate corporatism and to increase transparency, independence, and trust toward judiciary is supported;

2.1.2. Transparency and independence of the key institutions of judicial administration (High Council of Justice [HCoJ], High School of Justice (HSoJ), office of Independent Inspector (OII) is enhanced, IDFIs recommendations are included;

2.1.3. Compatibility of the Procedure and grounds for disciplinary hearings of judges with international standards is improved, with the Georgian context in mind.

2.1.4. Public access to judicial acts, cases of high public interest in particular is improved;

2.1.5. Adoption of the Strategy and Action Plan to increase the independence, accountability, and effectiveness of the Constitutional Court of Georgia (CCoG) is advocated and supported.

2.2. Institutional independence of law enforcement agencies and power sharing amongst them is optimized. Safeguards for ethical implementations of Artificial Intelligence systems are increased.

2.2.1. Independence and inclusiveness of the selection process of the Prosecutors Council is optimized;

2.2.2. Investigative powers of the Prosecutors Office (PO) are decreased, power-sharing between PO and Ministry of Internal affairs is optimized; 

2.2.3. Accountability of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and PO is increased; Application of Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytical software by law enforcement agencies is studied, threats are identified and reduced.

2.3. Institutional reform to decentralize concentrated power under the State Security Service is implemented. The institutional model of secret surveillance is modified according to ECHR and ECJ Case law.

2.3.1. Investigative powers of the State Security Service (SSSG) are reduced;

2.3.2. Parliamentary, judicial, and civil oversight on SSSG is increased; 

2.3.3.  The institutional model of secret surveillance is modified according to ECHR and ECJ Case law. True institutional independence and transparency of the Operative-Technical Agency (OTA) is supported.

2.4. Transparency, effectiveness, institutional and political independence of the Special Investigative Service [SIS] and the Personal Data Protection Service (PDPS) and Public Defenders Office (PDO) are enhanced.

2.4.1. Transparency, institutional independence, and inclusiveness of the selection process of the Heads of the SIS and PDSP, as well as PDO are increased;

2.4.2. Legislative proposal is elaborated to increase the mandate of the SIS to cover the Minister of Internal Affairs and heads of the State Security Service and Prosecutor General. 

2.4.3. Mechanisms to increase the effectiveness of the PDSP to oversee the legality of the secret surveillance measures are implemented.

2.5. The state of freedom of expression and media is strengthened and challenges are combatted while media polarization is reduced;

2.5.1. Hostility of the media environment is reduced, transparency and effectiveness of the investigation of the attacks on media is increased;

2.5.2. Criminal, administrative, and civil lawsuits against journalists are monitored and detected;

2.5.3. Accountability of the communications Commission of Georgia (ComCom) is increased;

2.5.4. Standards of free speech are maintained, harmful legislative initiatives and practices are detected and combatted;

2.5.5. Access to public information by the media is ensured;

2.5.6. Creation of a Media Lawyers Network is advocated.

2.6. Advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, children, women, LGBTQ, and elderly people;

2.6.1. Human rights strategies and action plan adequately reflects the needs of Persons with disabilities, children, women, LGBTQ, and elderly people;

2.6.2. Facilitates accessibility of public information and governmental services for persons with disabilities;

2.6.3. Prepares a manual for strategic litigation at the Constitutional Court of Georgia for vulnerable groups.

2.7. Facilitates integration of Georgia into the European Union.

2.7.1. Georgia successfully implements the priorities (related to rule of law and media) defined by the EU;

2.7.2. The EU and international stakeholders are aware of the progress and challenges of Georgia;

2.7.3. Supports harmonization of the case law of Georgia with EU directives.

2.8. The society of Georgia and international stakeholders are made aware of the importance of and main challenges to democracy and rule of law in Georgia.

2.8.1. Incidents that threaten the state of rule of law and media freedom are detected and receive an appropriate response;

2.8.2. Resilience of civil society organizations (SCOs) to withstand governmental campaigns against CSOs is raised;

2.8.3. Societys awareness of the importance of democratic institutions, rule of law, and human rights is raised.



3. Local Governance

3.1.1. Decentralization reform (including localization of SDGs) is supported through monitoring, reporting, evidence-based advocacy, multi-stakeholder dialogue and sharing of best practices.

3.1.2. Municipalities implement open government reforms. IDFI successfully advocates for it.

3.1.3. Capacity of local government representatives/municipalities is increased to effectively manage public funds, manage/publish municipal data, design, develop, and provide municipal services, and hence, better respond to local problems.

3.1.4. Municipalities improve service delivery and develop participatory tools, including through new technologies. IDFI successfully advocates for it.

3.2.1. Municipalities implement and improve transparency and accountability standards. IDFI successfully advocates for it through monitoring, reporting, experience-sharing, and advocacy.

3.2.2. Adoption and implementation of transparency and accountability principles by non-profit (non-commercial) legal entities of municipalities are successfully advocated.

3.2.3. Enhancement of effectiveness of municipal programs and policies is advocated and supported through monitoring, reporting, and communicating evidence-based recommendations.

3.2.4. Adoption/improvement and implementation of access to and management of municipal data standards are supported and advocated.

3.3.1. Capacity and knowledge of local stakeholders (i.e. journalists, activists, students, civil society organizations, etc.) to use open government data, civic/digital monitoring, and other relevant government accountability tools and mechanisms are increased.

3.3.2. Civic monitoring activities and data-driven local initiatives are supported and implemented/developed with the participation of various local stakeholders (civil society, media, business, academia, tech community, business, etc.).

3.3.3. Public awareness about tools, mechanisms, and legislation on civic participation in the decision-making process is increased.

3.3.4. Civic participation in the local decision-making process is encouraged through local initiatives and innovative solutions (including e-solutions, applications and platforms).



4. Social and Economic Policy

4.1. Increases the scope and quality of dialogue and partnership between business and the government in legislative drafting

4.2. Help to improve financial literacy of the general public

4.3. Help to build an economy focused on qualitative development and contribute to fairness and efficiency in income and wealth distribution

4.4. Help to improve economic opportunities for talented individuals and prevent economic discrimination, including gender-based discrimination

4.5. Help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government social and healthcare programs at the national and local levels

4.6. Help to improve Public Financial Management (PFM), including through our 2023-2025 and subsequent Gender Responsiveness Budget Indices

4.7. Help to improve coverage and quality of public education services 



5. Civic Tech and Innovations

5.1.1. Georgia implements ambitious e-government reforms, and the effectiveness of the e-governance ecosystem is improved. IDFI has successfully advocated for specific reforms.  

5.1.2. Digital transformation/modernization of the public sector as well as access to and use of electronic public services are supported, monitored, assessed, and advocated.

5.1.3. The development and use of e-participation tools are promoted and supported.

5.2.1. Multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation between the tech community and all other stakeholders, including the government, media, business, academia, and civil society are facilitated.

5.2.2. Introduction of transparency and accountability mechanisms as well as ethical frameworks/guidelines for AI, algorithms (i.e. automated decision-making systems) and blockchain is successfully advocated.

5.2.3. Best practices, expertise, and emerging trends on innovations and technologies are shared with Georgian stakeholders, including academia, students, CSOs, and public servants.

5.3.1. Civic technology and digital monitoring tools are used as well as developed for tracking government performance/accountability in various directions.

5.3.2. The open data ecosystem is supported and improved through sharing best practices/emerging trends and advocating for improved legislation and standards on access to public data (including open data).

5.3.3. More open and disaggregated (e.g. by gender, age, region) data from various sectors is publicly available in various open formats in Georgia.

5.3.4. Capacity and skills of journalists, activists, and civil society organizations to use innovations, civic/digital monitoring tools in their watchdog and other civic activities are improved.

5.3.5. The capacity of public institutions and civil servants to collect, manage, prepare, and publish open data is enhanced.

5.3.6. Use of open government data by various stakeholders (civil society, media, business, academia, tech community, business) as well as data-driven innovations are supported and encouraged.

5.4.1. Digital freedoms are protected through monitoring, reporting, and evidence-based advocacy.

5.4.2. The Government is held accountable for its performance in the development of internet infrastructure through monitoring and evidence-based advocacy/recommendations.

5.4.3. Citizens of Georgia (with a focus on digitally vulnerable population, especially in the regions) are more resilient to digital threats through their awareness about digital freedoms, digital security mechanisms, and tools being raised via innovative and informational campaigns, capacity building materials/tutorials, and platforms.



6. Disinformation and Memory Studies

6.1 Greater openness of archives in Georgia is achieved. Positive changes towards the openness of archives, more inclusive, user-friendly, and environmentally friendly archives across the Post-Soviet space are advocated with active involvement of IDFI;

6.2  Public awareness about the importance of archives is raised. Emphasizing the importance of the understanding of the recent and contemporary history for the development of the state memory policy;

6.3 Networks of researchers of memory studies are created that contribute to better understanding of the totalitarian past and dissemination of informed narratives about it across the society. IDFI contributes in the process of forming/deepening the networks;

6.4 School and university students involvement in memory studies is increased: more local and international students working on Soviet studies. IDFI is a key actor in developing/offering the courses;

6.5  The system for resisting and countering strategic communications directed against Georgias Euro-Atlantic aspirations and democratization is enhanced;

6.6 Collaborating with International NGOs, research institutions, and think-tanks to better inform society about the threats and existence of propaganda;

6.7 University program on memory and disinformation studies becomes a platform for sharing the experience and knowledge accumulated by IDFI and its partners in the academic space.