Political Party Development
NDI has worked extensively with Georgia's leading
political parties on the premise that parties
are essential in a flourishing democracy.
NDI has assisted parties to develop policy
programs and messages, to create party building
strategies, to reach out to supporters and
voters, as well as to strengthen national
and local party organizations. As part of
this effort, the Institute has also worked
with parties on preparing to participate
in national and local elections.
Parliamentary Development
Since 1995, NDI has endeavored to help the Parliament
establish itself as a professional and independent
legislative body. Seminars have contributed
international experience to debates on draft
laws and fostered consensus among parliamentarians.
Consultations and the publication of a parliamentary
manual have strengthened the parliament's
oversight function and the role of parliamentary
factions. Activities have also reached beyond
Parliament's legislative functions to raise
the institution's profile and to increase
its accessibility to the public.
Civic Development
The International Society for Fair Elections
and Democracy (ISFED), which NDI helped
to create in 1995, has sent non-partisan
observers to every election since its creation,
establishing a presence at more than 90%
of Georgia's polling places in 2000. With
an extensive civic education program and
the formation of citizen advisory committees
to local government in many communities,
ISFED has moved beyond monitoring to promoting
the concepts and methods of day-to-day participatory
democracy. NDI has also helped stimulate
outreach by the executive branch to Georgian
NGOs, resulting in the formation of an NGO
Advisory Committee in the State Chancellery.
Local Government
The majority of the more than ten thousand
local council members are holding elected
office for the first time. To assist these
officials, NDI played an instrumental role
in the creation of the Councils Association
of Georgia (CAG) in 1999. Since then, NDI
has helped the CAG leadership broaden its
network in local government, publicize CAG's
activities through the media, develop fundraising
skills, strengthen the Association's ties
to regional branches, and manage relations
between the executive branch and the board.
Contact Information
For more information about NDI's activities
in Georgia and the Caucasus, please contact:
Washington, DC
Laura Jewett, Regional Director Send email
Printer-friendly version 
