Institute for Development of Freedom of Information

The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) - is a Georgian non-governmental organization which tends to support the development of an informed and empowered society for democratic governance. IDFI promotes human rights and good governance by raising civic awareness through sound informational reports, research and recommendations; Advocates for initiating & implementing reforms of policies, laws and practices to enhance democratic governance.

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information
AbbreviationIDFI
Formation2009 (2009)
TypeNGO
Location
  • Tbilisi, Georgia
Chair
Levan Avalishvili
Director
Giorgi Kldiashvili
Main organ
Board
Websiteidfi.ge/en

The organization was founded in 2009 by two historians/researchers Levan Avalishvili and Giorgi Kldiashvili.

History

The idea to create IDFI was born during an international conference that was periodically hosted by Levan Avalishvili and Giorgi Kldiashvili in Georgia since 2005. The conference was supported by the American non-governmental research organization National Security Archive, George Washington University. The conference involved participants, which included local and foreign historians, archive researchers, and specialists and lawyers in the fields of public access to information and open governance, discussing issues related to openness of archives and access to archival documents in various countries. During the 2009 conference, an idea was born to set up an organization in Georgia that would advocate archive transparency by working on openness, transparency and improvement of access to public information. Eventually, with the help of American partners, Levan Avalishvili and Giorgi Kldiashvili established such an organization.

Directions

Good governance
Georgia’s 2017-2018 Parliamentary Openness Action Plan is Approved

IDFI is working towards strengthening good governance in Georgia. This includes: public service reform, prevention of corruption, introducing standards of access to public information, improving the transparency and accountability of the public service, improving the public procurement system, improving the system of asset declarations and strengthening whistleblower protection.

IDFI is also actively engaged in promoting citizen participation in the decision-making, budgeting and lawmaking processes on both central and local government levels.

Since 2011, IDFI has been actively promoting the introduction of principals of open government in Georgia as well as internationally. This work also includes strengthening of civil society and government cooperation.

IDFI is also working towards strengthening human rights in Georgia by promoting increased transparency and accountability of the Georgian court system and implementation of the principles of fairness in the court practice. By taking part in court proceedings, IDFI promotes improvement of constitutional standards for human rights, the mechanisms for securing human rights and implementation of the standards of a transparent and just court system.

IDFI is actively involved in the process of monitoring and reform of the Georgian court system. The organization is also engaged in strategic litigation, which is used to try to achieve legal precedents on the disclosure of public information for which there is high public interest. IDFI provides free legal consultation and assistance to any citizen, who appeals to us about a violation of their right to receive public information. The organization has already provided assistance to numerous journalists as well as regular citizens.

Finally, IDFI is actively collaborating with international organizations by providing them with expert knowledge about the rule of law in Georgia, which is later reflected in international ratings and indices.

Economic and social policy

IDFI is engaged in researching the social-economic policy and legislation in Georgia. The organization analyzes both Georgia’s development data and international best practice and, based on the latter, provides the Georgian government with recommendations on how to promote economic development and increase the level of wellbeing in Georgia.

IDFI also works towards raising public awareness about the goals of Georgia’s social-economic development strategy and promoted citizen engagement in the process of its implementation. The organization monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of all of the major socio-economic programs run by the Georgian government.

Strategic communication and study of the past
Results of Sovietization in Georgia - Photos and Lists of the Repressed

IDFI is working towards bringing into the light the propaganda against Georgia’s integration with NATO and the EU. IDFI regularly publishes articles, analytical papers, policy papers and briefs that are aimed at, on the one hand, informing the society about propaganda and, on the other hand, providing recommendations to the government about how to deal with this problem.

For the purpose of combating propaganda, IDFI is collaborating with governmental structures, partner local and international organizations. IDFI is actively involved in various activities against propaganda, including meetings with the local population. In addition, IDFI analyzes academic and archival documents in order to contribute to the study of Georgia’s Soviet past, which should help the country build a democratic future.

Finally, IDFI is working on opening Soviet archives. The organization is also actively involved in identifying the victims of Soviet repressions and is helping their families with legal disputes.

Media, internet and telecommunications

IDFI’s work also involves researching internet freedom, access to the internet, media freedom and improvement of government services using new technologies.IDFI periodically publishes research documents that include recommendations on how the Georgian government can deal with problems related to the internet and media.

More specifically, research topics include: internet freedom, freedom of expression online, universal accessibility of the internet, problems faced by internet users, digital literacy, the internet market, cybersecurity, personal data protection, telecommunication innovations and government policy regarding the internet, media and telecommunications.

In addition to research and policy evaluation, IDFI is also involved in awareness raising campaigns and educational programs in the use of new technologies for various groups in Georgia.

Significant achievements
  • IDFI was elected as the Co-Chair of Open Government Georgia Forum.
  • IDFI was elected as the Co-Chair of the Working Group at the Inter-Governmental Anti-Corruption Council.
  • Open Government Georgia Action Plans were developed with the direct participation of IDFI.
  • The list of public information to be disclosed proactively was created with participation of IDFI.
  • IDFI was actively involved in drafting of a new law on Freedom of Information. The Government of Georgia adopted the Decree on Electronic Requests and Proactive Disclosure of Public Information.
  • As a result of advocacy and support from IDFI, the Georgian Parliament has joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
  • IDFI was granted the highest score in transparency by Transparify.
  • Access to public information has improved as a result of monitoring and advocacy by IDFI since 2010.
  • IDFI’s studies have revealed corruption deals, cases of nepotism, abuse of authority, unreasonable spending of budget funds and other cases of violation of the law.
  • The government portal for open data – www.data.gov.ge was created with direct recommendations of IDFI.
  • IDFI has created the concept of e-petitions – www.ichange.ge, which the government committed to implement within the framework of OGP.
  • As a result of advocacy from IDFI, the National Security Council has joined the provisions of proactive disclosure of public information.
  • As a result of recommendations from IDFI, the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers has been enhanced.
  • IDFI’s recommendations were taken into account in the new Labor Code.
  • IDFI’s recommendations were taken into account in the new Law on Civil Service.
  • The Georgian Government took into account IDFI’s recommendations concerning the strategy of digital broadcasting switchover.
  • The data and studies prepared by IDFI were included in the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices by U.S Department of State, the reports of Freedom House and other international reports and ratings.
  • IDFI’s monitoring and advocacy work has resulted in Georgia’s improved ranking in the E-Government Development Index (UN).
  • The Archive of the former Committee of State Security (KGB) of Georgia was declassified, modernized and digitized.

Coalitions
  • Georgian Civil Society National Platform for the Eastern Partnership
  • Open Government Georgia Forum
  • Intergovernmental Anti-Corruption Council
  • Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary
  • Media Advocacy Coalition
  • Open Parliament Georgia Working Group

Financial support

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) gets funding from various sources, such as international funds, governments of foreign countries, international and/or local organizations and institutions, private companies and individuals. IDFI accepts funding, only if its purpose is in line with organization’s vision and objectives, and does not negatively affect IDFI’s reputation and independence. The financial support of IDFI is fully transparent and all details can be found on our webpage. In 2015 and 2016, IDFI received the highest score in transparency by Transparify.

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