Irakli Kobakhidze: “Caring for emigrants is a priority of our government; the scale of support for the diaspora has increased tenfold and twentyfold under our administration.”
Verdict: FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
Diaspora funding under the previous government began in 2008. This funding was provided over five years during the period of governance of the United National Movement with a total of allocation of GEL 5,653,700. A total of GEL 19,919,699 has been allocated for diaspora policy over the 14 years of the Georgian Dream’s governance. Comparing these two figures is not relevant due to the difference in time spans. Even if the total funding amounts for the five-year and fourteen-year periods are compared, funding under the current government has increased by 3.5 times, not tenfold as claimed by Irakli Kobakhidze. A review of annual allocations also shows no particularly sharp increase in this area. Funding generally fluctuates between GEL 1.2 and GEL 1.9 million with the exception of 2020 when the diaspora policy budget exceeded GEL 2 million and reached GEL 2.5 million.
Average annual funding under the United National Movement amounted to GEL 1.1 million as compared to GEL 1.4 million under the Georgian Dream. Furthermore, the real effect of this is modest increase becomes even more negligible once inflation is taken into account.
As for diaspora programmes, several initiatives have been launched in recent years aimed at introducing successful young people living abroad to the country’s cultural traditions. Other existing programmes primarily involve funding for diaspora organisations, Georgian schools abroad, folkloric ensembles and the financial support of similar activities.
Irakli Kobakhidze made his statement about special care for emigrants against the backdrop of his government’s amendments to the Electoral Code which stipulates that elections are to be held only on the territory of Georgia, effectively depriving emigrants of the right to participate in elections from abroad.
Considering the above, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
Analysis
Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the issue of the diaspora during his appearance on Imedi TV’s Diaspora funding under the previous government began in 2008 when financing was allocated to the Office of the State Minister for Diaspora Issues (code 21.00) which was later replaced under the Georgian Dream by funding for diaspora policy (code 28 0104).
Budget data from 2008 to 2026 are examined to illustrate whether programme funding has increased.
Table 1: Diaspora Policy Funding
Source: Ministry of Finance, State Budget
As evident, diaspora funding totalled GEL 5,653,700 during the five years of the United National Movement’s governance. A total of GEL 19,919,699 was allocated for diaspora policy under the 14 years of Georgian Dream’s governance. Comparing these figures is not relevant due to the difference in time spans. Even if the total funding amounts for the five-year and fourteen-year periods are compared, funding under the current government has increased by 3.5 times, not tenfold as claimed by Irakli Kobakhidze. However, it should be reiterated that these figures are not directly comparable. There is no significant increase when looking at individual years. Annual allocations generally fluctuate between GEL 1.2 and GEL 1.9 million with the exception of 2020 when diaspora policy budget exceeded GEL 2 million and reached GEL 2.5 million.
Average annual funding under the United National Movement amounted to GEL 1.1 million as compared with GEL 1.4 million under the Georgian Dream. Furthermore, the real effect of this modest increase is even more negligible when adjusted for inflation.
As for the programmes, their aim was to increase attention to and support for the diaspora. These initiatives included opening schools for Georgian children abroad, providing schools with Georgian textbooks, supporting folkloric ensembles and funding other similar activities.
Four new programmes were launched targeting the diaspora under the Georgian Dream. “The programme will promote attracting highly qualified young specialists, introduce successful Georgian youth born abroad to the cultural tradition of their homeland, foster connections with peers and lay the foundation for lasting ties with the country,” according to the budgetary programme classification. A diaspora web portal – GDA.GE – was created during the Georgian Dream’s governance with EU support and through cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Its slogan is “We have one homeland.” The website operates on a one-stop-shop principle, offering a platform with news and services tailored to users’ interests. However, it should also be noted that the latest diaspora news on the website is dated 14 April 2025 whilst updates from Georgia are dated 14 July 2025. The website lists diaspora organisation operating in 34 countries.
Evidence of the current government’s “special care” for emigrants is seen in the amendments to the Electoral Code restricting voting rights based on territory. Emigrants abroad will no longer be able to participate in parliamentary elections as they must travel to Georgia to cast their vote under the aforementioned change.
Considering the above, FactCheck concludes that Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement is FALSE.
