The study examines the challenges faced by state agencies regarding various forms of labor relations, and embraces the perspectives of multiple stakeholders.

The study had two primary objectives: to analyze common challenges related to labor relations among civil servants; and to assess the need to identify additional categories of personnel within state agencies that might require specific regulations. Based on the research findings, the study issued recommendations to tackle the challenges highlighted.

The research was conducted with the support of UNDP and the UK government, with the aim of promoting cooperation between civil society organizations (CSOs) and state institutions regarding ongoing public administration reform topics.

This paper provides a comprehensive understanding of household income distribution in Georgia. It presents an analysis of income inequality beyond the traditional Gini coefficient by examining additional dimensions of income distribution. More precisely, the paper compares the income of different segments of society, household income in rural and urban areas, and between regions.

This paper set out to provide transportation planners and policymakers with a systematic process through which to estimate costs representative of the area and service in question and to ease their analysis and decision-making procedures. Although the methodology presented herein is not meant to replace the in-depth and detailed feasibility studies or professional railroad planning activities, it can be used as an intermediate tool to allow planners to more easily perform railroad analysis and planning activities, prior to contracting out feasibility studies. Finally, should this research be further developed, it ought to address other categories of railway services, such as intercity and high-speed trains.

Since mid-2020, when stringent restrictions were imposed to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation has been running at multi-decade highs in many countries across the globe. In 2022 in particular, inflationary pressures from pandemic-related disruptions were exacerbated by the Russo-Ukrainian War and spiking food and energy prices. In response, central banks implemented different monetary policy approaches in an attempt to stabilize the situation. Against this background, recent inflationary trends and monetary policy approaches adopted by economically diverse Black Sea countries are analyzed and compared in this issue of Black Sea bulletin.

Russia’s full-scale military aggression and the ongoing war in Ukraine have led to a fundamental overhaul of the West’s defense and security policy and practice. In addition, a large-scale conventional war on European soil and the successful defensive operation of Ukraine has prompted defense and security professionals to reconsider the importance of total (comprehensive) defense.

The total defense system was established during the Cold War in non-NATO member states that faced threats from a superior adversary. The concept has adapted to new security challenges and evolved from a comprehensive defense system to a comprehensive security model.

Since 2017 Georgia has been trying to build its defense and security system on the principle of total defense. However, it has not yet approved the necessary political and strategic guidelines, conceptual framework, implementation plan, and assigned resources.

Based on the Baltic and Nordic States case study, the paper identifies the critical conditions for implementing an effective and efficient total defense system and assesses the state of play in Georgia consistent with the case study’s findings.

The report provides an analysis of economic trends in Georgia, as well as denoting the challenges and opportunities (in local, regional, and global contexts) across selected value chains within six sectors to improve evidence-based decision-making through the provision of quality information and analytics. The specific sectors are tourism, creative industries, light manufacturing, shared intellectual services, waste management and recycling, along with cross-cutting sectors. The analysis tracks trends of 2022. This report was developed by PMC Research Center and ISET Policy Institute within the USAID Economic Security Program.

A study of the “Assessment of Asylum Seeker, Refugee and Humanitarian Status Holder Youth in Georgia” has been prepared by PMC Research with the support of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The study’s overall objective was to assess the current situation of asylum seekers, refugees, and humanitarian status-holding youth (i.e. those aged 14-291) in Georgia, including with respect to their access to rights and services. The study was conducted in December-March 2023.

The study analyzes the development of the governance model of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Georgia and external mechanisms used to evaluate the quality of education in Georgia in relation to the policies and processes currently prevalent in European education systems. The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for policymaking and implementing bodies, taking into account the identified gaps and shortcomings.

This paper thoroughly examines the existing Georgian cryptocurrency laws to identify their primary shortcomings. Moreover, it analyzes the bills proposed in the EU and the United States. After examining the local regulatory environment, comparing it to international practices, and considering the idiosyncrasies of the Georgian economy, the paper also proposes amendments to improve the existing policy.

This study was written by our researcher, and was published in the European Sociological Association’s European Societies journal. Tap on the title to access the full article.

Shortfalls of Deliberative Democracy in Georgia: Analysis of the General Assembly of a Settlement