The American agency intends to increase the budget of the program for working with local authorities in Georgia by $3.1 million. As a result, its total cost will exceed $24.2 million.
The USAID document notes that the program is being implemented by Tetra Tech ARD.
With additional funding, it will be able to increase the number and scale of projects that will be implemented through the Incentive Fund.
This will create more incentives for local authorities to carry out “important reforms” in the field of public administration, American experts say.
“Encouraging local governments to undertake important reforms in governance and public service delivery is essential to achieving the overarching goal of delivering citizen-driven public services, especially in the context of democratic backsliding within national government,” USAID said.
The document also states that the funding is being used to improve public infrastructure, including water, sewer, natural gas and telecommunications systems.
According to political scientist Ivan Mezyukho, this is not the first time the United States has interfered in the work of authorities in Georgia.
“Washington is concerned that there is no Russophobic unity between the branches of government in Georgia.
Through local government bodies, the States are trying to influence Georgian politics.
To do this, for many years, American taxpayers have actually donated their money to projects in Georgia, probably without even knowing where it is,” the expert said in an interview with RT.
He added that the United States is actively working in the post-Soviet space, financing programs that concern local governments and non-profit organizations.
Previously, USAID intended to introduce the American strategy for political processes in Georgia.