European Center for Social Justice

The European Center for Social Justice is an entity registered by the leadership of Social Justice Center (Georgian civil society organization) to mitigate the repressive effects of the so-called “Russian Law” (Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence) on the organization. This step was taken to ensure the continued ability of the Social Justice Center to operate and advocate for human rights and social justice in the face of increasingly restrictive legal and institutional measures in Georgia. In May 2024, the Law “on Transparency of Foreign Influence” was adopted, creating a hostile environment for critical voices and hindering civil society’s ability to address pressing issues. The law imposes severe restrictions on CSOs and their activities, labeling organizations that receive more than 20% of their total funding from international sources as “representatives of foreign influence.” The stigmatization is accompanied by operational barriers, as organizations that fail to register in the official registry of “representatives of foreign influence” by September 3, 2024 can be fined by 25,000 GEL. Repeated non-compliance with the law’s provisions incurs additional heavy fines, which will likely force organizations to cease operations entirely. The European Center for Social Justice shares the same mission and values as the Social Justice Center. It is a left-wing organization committed to promoting human rights and social justice by addressing structural causes of economic, social, and political inequality. The organization seeks to contribute to transforming the existing social order through democratic means, fostering fairness, inclusivity, and democracy at political, economic, and social levels. The Center’s work is guided by principles of bottom-up democratic organization, the dissemination of critical knowledge, and building cohesive networks. It employs activist strategies and leverages both individual and collective rights to advance social justice.