A draft Law on Grants was initiated at today’s session of the Parliament’s Bureau. According to the amendments, grants issued under several programs will not require government approval.

Specifically, the draft law states that the procedures established by paragraph 3 of Article 5¹ of the law will not apply to grants issued by international sports associations, federations and committees, individual financial assistance provided for general and higher education and scientific work outside Georgia’s borders, as well as grants issued under the European Union’s research and innovation program “Horizon Europe” and the EU program Erasmus+.

The explanatory note accompanying the draft states: “Under the current legislative framework, grants issued through the Horizon Europe and European Union’s Erasmus+ programs require prior approval. Georgia contributes financially to the implementation of these initiatives. Grants under these programs are generally considered to pose lower risks regarding sovereignty infringement, political interference, or security concerns. Therefore, it is advisable to extend the exemption from approval procedures to these specific programs.”

Previously, amendments to the Law on Grants mandated that government approval or approval from an authorised body designated by the government was mandatory for grant issuance. Receiving grants without such approval was prohibited.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has been entrusted with monitoring unauthorised grant issuance and receipt.