Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit-making organization dedicated to research, analysis, and education to advance country’s democratic development and Euro-Atlantic integration.
GDI is committed to defending human rights, expanding inclusive society and promoting tolerance, strengthening democratic reforms and advancing the rule of law, enhancing transparency and accountability of public institutions. GDI pursues these ideals through monitoring, open debate, fact-based research and analysis of policy options to address the challenges facing Georgia.
The organization brings together high level professionals with an extensive record of research, advocacy and monitoring work in the key areas of GDI operation. The expertise, experience, impartiality and credibility of GDI’s team position the organization to be on the frontlines of Georgia’s most critical policy debates on human rights and democratic development.
Graduated in International and European Public Law (LLM) from the Erasmus University Rotterdam (Netherlands, NUFFIC Scholarship), International Public Law (LLM) from Caucasus University, and Law from Tbilisi State University.
She is managing the Rule of Law Program at Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), which was chairing the Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary for more than 2 years before March 2021. She is involved in various projects implemented by GDI, and her main area of expertise includes the Justice sector and rule of law. Previously she worked in NGO – Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS) and took part in the preparation of the UPR shadow report regarding minority rights. From 2008 – 2013 she also worked as a legal advisor at the High Council of Justice of Georgia. She participated in various international seminars, conferences, and fellowships. Most recently participated in Professional Fellows Program (PFP) and spent her fellowship in Washington DC with Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
In 2021, Vasil Zhizhiashvili graduated from Tbilisi Free University Law School. From 2019 to 2022, he worked as a constitutional lawyer in the Georgian Young Lawyers Association. Since 2022, Vasil Zhizhiashvili is also a guest lecturer at Tbilisi Free University and the University of Georgia.
Mariam Taganashvili is a lawyer of the international litigation team at GDI. Mariam has finished her Bachelor’s studies in Law at the Free University of Tbilisi. Currently, she is enrolled at Ilia State University, where she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Law and Policy. Mariam worked as a paralegal in the Civil and Administrative Program at the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA). Also, she was an intern at the Rule of Law Program of GDI. Mariam has successfully participated in international and national moot court competitions organized by the OSCE/ODIHR, GYLA, USAID, the Justice of Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia, and others.
Born in 1998. In 2020, graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Law School of the Free University of Tbilisi. Studying master's program at Ilia State University - Political Sciences. Has participated in various competitions.
Ekaterine Subeliani is a lawyer of the Civil and Political Rights Program. Ekaterine has finished her Bachelor’s studies in Law at the Free University of Tbilisi. Ekaterine has successfully participated in international and national moot court competitions organized by the OSCE/ODIHR, GYLA, USAID, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and others.
Vika Kakhidze holds the position of administrative assistant in the organization. Vika is studying Governance and social sciences bachelor's program at the Free University of Tbilisi. She has gained work and volunteer experience in non-governmental organizations such as "International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy" (ISFED), "Democracy Defenders", etc. Currently, she actively participates in student projects and civil activities.
Nino Shelia is a law school student at Free University of Tblisi. According to that, since September 2022 she is researching Freedom of Expression in US Supreme Court practice. During the summer 2022 she has become DAAD scholarship holder and has attended the course of Law at Westphalian Wilhelms-University at Muenster, Germany.