IJAB: Mr Kikalishvili, can you tell us briefly where you work and what your work in Georgia is all about?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: I represent the youth organisation DRONI. I’ve spent all my professional life working in the youth sector for non-governmental organisations in Georgia. We‘ve been working with the EU’s Erasmus+ funding programme as an information centre and deployment site for the European Solidarity Corps in Georgia since 2017. We aim to raise awareness among young people and interest groups, including government institutions and local communities, about the programme. We want to strengthen our organisation by participating in this programme because it‘s an excellent opportunity for us and for young people.
IJAB: Do you work from Tbilisi in Georgia?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: We’re based in Tbilisi, but we have programmes and projects throughout the country. We visit rural regions, small towns and villages all across Georgia.
IJAB: To get a clearer picture, how many young people do you currently work with?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: Our organisation has over 200 active members dedicated to supporting the local youth community, and we also welcome international volunteers. We currently have ten volunteers, most of them from Germany. They’re involved in youth work, but they operate in a setting that allows them to carry out various educational activities. They do excellent work, and they have been instrumental in enhancing our local youth work programmes. Before they came here, we had limited experience of connecting with young people, raising awareness about our organisation and involving them in our activities.
IJAB: Do the volunteers work with young people at local level?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: They work with them in youth organisations at all levels, for example in villages and urban neighbourhoods.
IJAB: Can you give an example of the kind of projects you organise and the activities you carry out with the young participants?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: Our philosophy is that everything we do is for and with young people, so we have very different focuses. For instance, if young people are interested in music, we try and organise music projects. We also develop initiatives centred on human rights education, and we regularly test our activities to determine which ones resonate with young Georgians and which ones they find meaningful.
We’re currently carrying out a cross-sectoral collaborative project designed to increase youth participation in a broader range of local political activities. Some people think it’s difficult to implement participation processes like this. But I feel this is our strength and advantage.
We also offer outdoor activities. We produce maps designed by young people which are then distributed free of charge. In one project, for example, participants highlighted spots where local youngsters like to hang out.
We love what we do because it’s so creative and never the same. And we always try to respond to the needs of young people.
IJAB: In the past few days, we’ve been hearing a lot about the critical situation in Georgia. Can you tell us what’s really going on in your country at the moment?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: Right now, many young people are fighting to protect their future, which they believe is at risk because of their connections to Europe. We were, and still are, all aware that our efforts to integrate with Europe are, under threat. We’ve now reached the point where more and more young people are mobilising and organising their resources. It’s really difficult for the government to crack down on these young protestors, partly because of the sheer number of them but also because so many organisations and leaders are standing up in opposition to the government.
Despite the many hurdles protesters have to overcome, these dissenting voices will not be silenced or destroyed in any way. We’re not just concerned about the new transparency act or the campaign against NGOs – this is also a critical moment for our democracy and freedom, and young people are acutely aware of this. I’m really proud of this young generation because everything we’ve invested in in terms of youth participation and youth engagement is now coming to life on the streets. This is what youth engagement and youth voices are all about. Young people are creative and courageous. And they’re using all the tools we’ve introduced them to, like the digital tools, non-violent action and peace initiatives. They’re putting all these methods into practice. But while witnessing these protests is obviously encouraging, it’s clear that democracy in Georgia is in danger. For us, Europe doesn’t just mean the European Union, it embodies social values. And yes, we will do our utmost to safeguard these European values in our country.
IJAB: So you’re not just concerned about the government passing certain laws. Am I right in saying that it’s more a general feeling?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: It goes further than that. This is not about a specific law, because this law is absurd. The state already has the authority to demand and inspect documents to monitor organisations at any time anyway. The state can check an organisation’s finances or operations without needing separate legislation. The issue at hand is broader. We are seeing a threat to civil society. The state wants to undermine the very spirit of civil society. Fortunately, we’re resilient enough not to give up.
IJAB: So you’re saying it’s not just young people in your country who are rallying against conditions or mobilising support, it’s society as a whole?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: It’s evident that society as a whole is involved. But what’s interesting about the current situation is that young people have taken the lead. They decide where they stand, what they do and how they protest, sometimes even blocking streets. They’re in control, but of course they’re backed by a multitude of (opposition) politicians, other political parties, youth organisations and other kinds of groups. The protest movement itself is made up mainly of young people. That’s why it’s unique. It all comes down to their ideals. They’re tireless and driven by their convictions. It’s not just about rallying together; it’s also about providing support, for example in the shape of raingear, water and food, or actively collecting donations. The entire self-organisation process is remarkably effective, and I am so proud of this. And the EU programmes, especially Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps, have played a big role in the development of civil society in Georgia, for which I am hugely grateful. We benefit enormously from these programmes, even though we haven’t made any financial contributions ourselves. But I’m proud to say the whole idea behind these programmes really works in Georgia. Solidarity, democracy, freedom, equality – these protests demonstrate all this. And it’s an incredible feeling.
IJAB: You said that among main activities currently taking place are the road blockades. What other types of protest people are involved in right now?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: The struggle is taking place everywhere.
IJAB: But is it peaceful?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: It’s peaceful and of course non-violent. Protestors are active in different ways, for example on social media; they use memes, videos and comments on TikTok to raise awareness about the campaign. There are anti-government rallies but also gatherings in support of the head of state, President Salome Zurabishvili, because we see that she’s clearly on the side of the people, of civil society. There really is a lot going on in the youth sector. During these gatherings, they sing or dance in the street, demonstrating their determination to express themselves peacefully and in the spirit of youth. It’s very moving to witness and be part of this. Since parliament passed the law on “foreign agents”, no concrete plans for resistance have been visible. But the young organisers – whose identities are often unknown because they do not operate openly and change roles regularly – still actively engage in protest. I know for sure that they’re not going to stop. It’s mainly university students and lecturers who are protesting. Many lecturers now teach their classes on the streets to make sure students continue their education. Boycotts are important, but so is education. So they engage in both. School children as well as students are starting to mobilise. The presence of children is often a guarantee for peaceful protests. Unfortunately, though, we’ve also seen instances of police brutality and violence. But considering the number of people on the streets, such incidents relatively rare.
IJAB: You’ve already told us a little about the president’s reaction. What other responses have there been from the government or leading figures?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: There have been responses from the ombudsman, the president and opposition politicians. But there also signs that some parts of the government see no need to implement the new legislation. I don’t want to mention any names, but it’s real. What I do want to stress, though, is that there is widespread support from the public, and that’s very encouraging. It’s our duty to speak out and protest. On the other hand, we also rely on the support of the international community and our friends, who offer us moral support. This solidarity means a great deal to us and it’s what young people need. Sometimes, protesting continuously for days and weeks can be exhausting. When young people see that politicians and activists from other countries stand in solidarity with them, this gives them new energy and boosts their enthusiasm. It’s incredibly important that our international friends actively show us their support, and that they don’t just talk about or think what we do is good. Please write about us, use social media, find out about our situation, document it. There are so many beautiful moments that resonate with people. We would really appreciate the support of our partners and friends throughout the EU.
IJAB: What are your hopes? What changes would you like to see in your country for the coming year?
Giorgi Kikalishvili: We’re now watching Georgia finally become a democratic state. Freedom and democracy will triumph. I want to believe in this, and I firmly believe in a state based on these principles. To me, there is no alternative, no other choice. So yes, I think this conflict will really help change the whole country and pave the way for a genuinely democratic and stable Georgia. Nothing will jeopardise our country. This is our future.
IJAB: Thank you very much.
Giorgi Kikalishvili: Thank you!
Giorgi Kikalishvili was interviewed by Robert Helm-Pleuger at the European Academy on Youth Work (article in German), which took place in Slovenia in mid-May 2024.
