The official website of the German government has released responses to questions posed by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party concerning the allocation of funds to NGOs in Georgia, as well as the involvement of the German Embassy and Ambassador Peter Fischer in this process.

According to the published response to AfD’s inquiry, the German government has allocated funds to support NGOs operating in Georgia through various projects. The total budget amounts to approximately 2.5 million euros, distributed over several years: EUR 360,164 in 2020; EUR 401,368 in 2021; EUR 297,899 in 2022; EUR 517,937 in 2023; EUR 831,914 in 2024; and EUR 150,580 in 2025.

However, the list of NGOs receiving these funds has not been disclosed.

The official response emphasises the sensitive nature of publicly naming local civil society organisations, especially given the increasingly repressive climate towards civil society in Georgia.

“Publicly naming local civil society partner organisations in this context poses a risk to their existence and to the safety of individuals working within them. Funding is based on trust, which involves the confidential handling of sensitive data. Trust is a fundamental prerequisite for cooperation, and without it, the effective implementation of projects could be jeopardised,” it states.

Furthermore, the German government notes that “disclosure of confidential information about partner organisations is not possible due to the potential threat to the lives and health of individuals working in these organisations in Georgia.”

According to the German government, the overarching goal of cooperation with NGOs is to achieve mutually agreed project objectives. In particular, these aim to “strengthen political, social, and economic engagement through civil society organisations, thereby fostering pluralism, democracy, and social cohesion in Georgia.”

The statement also mentions that the German Embassy in Georgia is involved in coordinating projects under the German International Cooperation (GIZ). Its roles include assisting in the preparation of project terms of reference and reporting.

Additionally, the German government affirms that no Georgian media outlets received funding from the German International Cooperation programmes between 2020 and 2025.

The AfD party had previously raised questions regarding the funding of NGOs in Georgia and the participation of the German Embassy and Ambassador Peter Fischer in this process. In response, the German Foreign Ministry recalled Fischer for consultations to determine the future course of action.