Introducing Our New Guide Series
Civil society organizations (CSOs) operate in increasingly complex legal and regulatory environments. Understanding applicable laws, meeting compliance requirements, and identifying potential legal risks are essential to ensuring organizational stability and sustainability.
To support CSOs in navigating these challenges, we are launching a new series of practical guides on regulatory compliance and legal risk assessment for non-profit organizations. The guides will provide accessible, jurisdiction-specific information on key legal requirements, potential risks, and practical steps organizations can take to strengthen their compliance practices and make informed decisions.
Recent legislative developments in Georgia have introduced additional regulation and government scrutiny concerning foreign funding. Whether your organization relies on international grants, donations, crowdfunding, or technical assistance, understanding your legal obligations is essential to managing compliance and mitigating potential risks.
Depending on an organization’s activities, funding sources, and legal status, several legal acts may be relevant, including:
- Law of Georgia on Grants — establishes the general principles governing the issuance, receipt, and use of grants in Georgia.
- Transparency Law — regulates the registration of entities as organizations pursuing the interests of a foreign power and the transparency of their activities where the applicable criteria are met.
- Foreign Agents Registration Act — establishes registration and disclosure obligations for entities acting on behalf of foreign principals in circumstances specified by the Act.
The guide provides practical information on:
- Key compliance requirements for foreign-funded non-profit organizations in Georgia.
- Potential legal risks and relevant regulatory obligations.
- Practical steps organizations can take to assess their legal exposure and maintain compliance.
This is the first guide in our new series. More country-specific guides will be published in the coming months.
Acknowledgment
This guide was prepared with the generous pro bono support of BGI Legal.
Disclaimer:
This document provides a general overview and should not be treated as a substitute for legal advice. The relevant legislation, implementing practices, and enforcement approaches may change. Each organization should obtain an individual assessment based on its activities, funding arrangements, governance structure, and relationships with foreign donors and partners.
Are you a lawyer based in another country and interested in contributing to this project? We welcome collaboration with legal professionals who would like to help develop practical, country-specific resources for civil society organizations. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn more about how you can contribute.
If you represent CSO and you need Tailored Legal Advice – Reach out to the PILnet Clearinghouse via our intake form.