Core Support to International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)

Some results of ISFED work in 2023 according to the strategic objectives are as follows: Strategic Objective 1: Improving electoral processes through election observation, in-depth research, development of a legislative framework, and voter education ISFEDs one of the main priorities and areas of work in 2023 was the facilitation of election processes through domestic election monitoring, analysis of Georgian election legislation and provision of opinions/recommendations for improved electoral framework, making citizens informed about electoral processes and supporting inclusive democratic participation and civic engagement through various citizen outreach activities targeting different groups of the society. Therefore in 2023 ISFED conducted citizen oversight of 2 extraordinary/by-elections and based on the monitoring findings, supported dialogue among decision-makers on challenges and solutions related to conducting elections using electronic means. ISFED supported electoral reform through provision of research-based comprehensive reform package and recommendations. ISFED resumed work on the electoral reform package with an Election Integrity Working Group comprised of lawyers, election experts and consultants, civil society to study and review Georgian and international best practices and facilitate wider election reform in preparation for the 2024 elections. As a result of in-depth research and analysis, a comprehensive election reform package of 6 policy briefs were drafted on legal, administrative, and procedural management of the election; ISFED also contributed to election research by examining financial challenges for the election campaigns of the political parties during the elections, as well as hidden barriers for regional politicians, women, representatives of ethnic minorities, and independent candidates in a research document Challenges for Election Campaign Finance in Georgia. ISFED fostered cooperation between the educational space and the non-governmental sector. Therefore ISFED continued its practice and signed the Memorandum of Cooperation with Free University, Caucasus University, and GIPA. So far, ISFED has established partnerships with over 10 high education and vocational training institutions including those based in the regions. Strategic Objective 2: Protecting the rights of citizens and combat discrimination on political grounds through free legal aid ISFED continued free legal aid program to help individuals whose employee rights were violated and those subject to discrimination on political grounds and to defend their interests before courts and other bodies. Under the free legal advice hotline service, 4 regional lawyers offered legal advice and assistance on various issues not limited to illegal dismissal or dismissal on alleged political grounds that ISFEDs free legal service specializes in. During the reporting period, a total of 157 consultations were provided mainly on alimony, restriction of parental rights and land registration. During the reporting period, ISFED represented 129 beneficiaries in courts. Successful legal cases helped reinstate wrongfully dismissed employees, providing compensation or rectifying unjust legal situations. This reporting period coincided with the pressing issue of public school principals certification process. Around 160 applicants taking part in the principals certification process initiated in 2022 did not pass the interview stage, 26 out of which challenged the decision in court. Analysis of the minutes taken during the interviews with applicants revealed key violations that might have impacted the process. Strategic Objective 3: Fight against disinformation and manipulation of information to reduce the harmful influence on electoral and political processes ISFED was successful at uncovering dis/misinformation campaigns through continuous monitoring of malicious social media activity. Continuous monitoring provided ISFED with a comprehensive understanding of the viral campaigns taking place on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok platforms by malign actors engaged in domestic information manipulations or those amplifying Kremlin propaganda. As a result, ISFED identified widespread misleading narratives originating from covert and public actors involved in propaganda campaigns across the platforms using numerous means, tactics, and strategies to manipulate public opinion. 22 bi-weekly visual infographics with descriptive publications about the disinformation and discrediting messages circulated mostly virally by more than one actor, account, or page ISFED was successful at uncovering dis/misinformation campaigns through continuous monitoring of malicious social media activity. 2 educational and informative videos primarily targeting youth on TikTok, the social media platform with the fastest-growing subscription in Georgia. ISFED contributed to Metas fight against violating content contributing to a more equitable information environment. The organization maintained outreach with Meta by reporting on the malignant use of social media, exposing coordinated inauthentic behavior (CIB). 7 educational workshops conducted in Kutaisi, Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe and Kobuleti targeted students of university and vocational training institutions (162 participants) and supported better practices of information reception and processing, informed them about the ways of exposing malicious actors proactively. Strategic Objective 5: Support of integration of Georgia into Euro-Atlantic structures ISFED actively promoted the idea of European integration across the activities implemented, including in the regions. As a member of the Information Integrity Coalition, the organization was actively involved in the Now campaign conducted by the Coalition to inform the public about EU-Georgia relations and Georgias European aspirations, tangible benefits of EU integration.

Project TitleCore Support to International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) Period /Contribution No:September 2023 July 2027 (16602) Area of cooperation:Elections Implementing Agency:International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) Sida Commitment:SEK 10,700,000 Project Brief Project TitleCore Support to International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) Period /Contribution No:September 2023 July 2027 (16602) Area of cooperation:Elections Implementing Agency:International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) Sida Commitment:SEK 10,700,000 Project Brief The contribution is aimed at facilitating election processes by observing the entire election cycle, analyzing electoral legislation and developing recommendations for its improvement. 2. Protecting the rights of citizens and combat discrimination on political grounds through free legal aid; 2.1 The rights of politically discriminated citizens are better protected. 2.2The property rights of citizens are better protected. 2.3 The practice of courts and other administrative bodies on political discrimination is improved. 3. Fight against disinformation and manipulation of information to reduce the harmful influence on electoral and political processes; 3.1 Integrity of online information ecosystem in Georgia is supported through exposing malicious political campaigns and coordinated networks on social media platforms 3.2 Social media companies are encouraged to take effective measures to increase transparency and safeguard information space from malign influence 3.3 Media literacy of the public is increased 3.4 Disinformation monitoring expertise is strengthened through sharing best practices on domestic and international levels 4. Strengthening of local self-government, support of decentralization process, and increase of citizens engagement; 4.1 Citizen oversight of the local self-government reform is strengthened 4.2Transparency of the work of local self-government bodies is increased 4.3 The capacity of local self-government bodies is increased 4.4 Citizen engagement in the work of local self-government is increased 5. Support of integration of Georgia into Euro-Atlantic structures; 5.1 Advocacy for Georgias European integration is strengthened. 5.2 Advocacy for reforms for getting the EU membership candidate status is strengthened. 5.3 Public awareness of Georgias European integration is enhanced For each target ISFED gives indicators to measure achievements. This is done in a result matrix format.