UNM to have new membership dues system to cement grassroots ties, pending political council approval

“The United National Movement is already the only party that outstrips all others combined when it comes to internal democracy, but the blueprint presented today marks the transformation of the UNM into an entirely different kind of political entity,” UNM member Ani Tsitlidze has announced.

According to Tsitlidze, thousands of UNM members will soon be able to participate directly in decision-making processes through a dedicated digital application.

“It is absolutely vital that a political party aligns itself precisely with the challenges and expectations of Georgian citizens. The UNM already leads the way in internal democracy, our leadership elections being a prime example, but the strategy unveiled today will reshape the party into something completely new.

The major innovation is the direct inclusion of rank-and-file members in decision-making. We are not talking about a select inner circle; we are talking about thousands of UNM members who will have a direct say via a secure digital application. This is true horizontal governance and decentralisation. It means citizens will vote on critical party decisions, such as whether to enter a coalition, take up parliamentary seats, or back specific legislative initiatives. These decisions will lie with the members.

Furthermore, the plan includes establishing citizens’ assemblies and regional hubs in municipalities and villages, allowing supporters, not just registered members, to engage in party activities through the app. Crucially, they won’t just participate; they will be the ones driving initiatives. That is the ultimate goal of this reform: transforming our members from passive order-followers into proactive local leaders.

Regrettably, due to certain constraints, including financial ones, we were unable to hold this event in a larger hall. However, we plan to roll out this concept across municipalities, towns, and villages. For anyone who cares about the future of the UNM, this strategy is a milestone,” Tsitlidze stated.

When asked whether the reform would be implemented before or after the upcoming party congress, Tsitlidze replied:

“The political decision has already been settled and approved by the Political Council. Mikheil Saakashvili has also given his full backing, both in writing and on social media, while the council was drafting the concept. It is now a technical matter. We are finalising the security infrastructure to ensure the app functions flawlessly and safely, and we are currently in talks with various developers. This will likely take some time. We will endeavour to have it ready before the congress, but it depends entirely on technical realities and financial resources.”

Tsitlidze further explained that the new model introduces revised funding mechanisms, including a membership dues system.

“Shifting from a vertical to a horizontal structure means that empowering members as leaders, rather than order-followers, must also extend to the party’s finances. No matter how well-intentioned individuals are, a party’s finances should never depend on a single major donor, as that inevitably creates undue obligations. Therefore, our primary objective is to make this process fully transparent.

We are introducing a membership dues system. Being a member of the UNM will mean confirming that political bond through regular contributions. As of 2023, we had 50,000 verified, registered members with a party mandate and the right to vote via the digital application. These individuals will validate their connection to the party through these dues. The exact amount has not yet been fixed; this is subject to approval by the Political Council, and various options are being considered. Regrettably, we have never been able to put this on the agenda until now.

Members who contribute regularly for six or twelve months will be granted ‘Regular Donor’ status. It doesn’t matter if it is five lari or ten; if someone pays their dues consistently for a year, the party will recognise them as a regular member and sponsor. This provides an additional incentive and leverage for members to stay highly motivated and engaged in key decisions. The sponsorship model is also differentiated, allowing room for individuals who are not registered party members but are supporters wishing to donate to the cause,” Ani Tsitlidze stated.