On January 30-31, the pro-government TV channel Imedi reported (1;2;3;4) that hackers had breached the grants database of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), revealing that a total of $30 million had been transferred to Georgia from the United States under three projects. In various reports, Imedi told viewers that information about the grants was unknown, while journalists repeated government representatives’ claims that the money was actually being used to fuel unrest.
Anchor Magda Anikashvili [2:40]: “Non-transparent millions and projects without detailed descriptions – what is the money of American taxpayers being spent on abroad? This question became even more relevant after hackers in the United States breached a website and disclosed information about USAID programs.”
Anchor Tamta Gazashvili: “So far, details of the USAID grants that hackers breached remain unclear. For the second day now, USAID has remained silent about the specific purposes for which the $30 million is supposed to be spent.”
On January 30, the issue of USAID grants allegedly exposed by hackers was also discussed by host Shalva Ramishvili on the pro-government POSTV’s “Three & Co” program (1;2;3). He claimed that the funds were being used for a revolution. The breach of the USAID database was also commented on by the deputies from the Georgian Dream and the People’s Power: Giorgi Volski (1;2); Irakli Kadagishvili, and Tamta Megrelishvili (1;2). The same information was shared by pro-government experts Gia Abashidze (1;2) and Davit Chikhelidze.
The claim that hackers breached the USAID grants database is being spread manipulatively. The website referenced by the authors does not contain any new information about the funds allocated to Georgia by USAID. Data on the size and purpose of the grants are recorded on both official U.S. government websites and those created by partner organizations.
-
The data on grants has been public in the past as well
The pro-government media presented the information to viewers as if data on USAID grants had been hidden until now and was only revealed after hackers “breached” the database. Additionally, the media claims that the purpose of the grants is unclear, it is unknown how the money is spent, and partners refuse to comment on the matter.
In reality, international media does not confirm the claim that USAID’s database was hacked. The website DataRepublican, which published screenshots that the media outlets use in reports and news stories, does not indicate anywhere that the data was obtained through hacking any platform. The website, which aims to compile government-related data and expenses, also publishes information on election results, non-governmental organizations, and more. On X, the information attached to DataRepublican’s activity field indicates that it categorizes and processes data.
A screenshot shown by the media displays one of DataRepublican’s functions – searching for grants issued by the federal government. When entering “USAID Georgia” in the search field, the website provides information that more than $31 million of taxpayers’ money has been spent. The funds are allocated across three projects.
The largest grant, $20,710,025, is allocated for USAID’s Rule of Law program. Additionally, $6,200,000 is allocated for the Media Program, $3,550,000 for the Civic Education Program, and $1,450,000 for the Independent Living Program. Along with the grant amounts, the website briefly indicates their purpose. However, the grants did not become known as a result of “breaching the database by hackers.” The data was previously accessible, and information about the funding and its purpose can be found on both the official U.S. funding website (USASPENDING) and USAID’s website in Georgia.
For example, USASPENDING provides information about the $20,710,025 grant issued by USAID to the East-West Management Institute. The site also states that the program will run from 2022 to 2026 and is designed to promote a citizen-oriented justice system in Georgia. Details are provided about the amount of money expended so far, the remaining funds, and the transaction history.
USASPENDING also provides data on the Media Program implemented by USAID in partnership with IREX and the allocated funding. The program’s duration is listed as 2022-2027, and its goal is to strengthen the quality of media and information in the country while preserving an information landscape. The program aims to support a sustainable media sector that informs citizens and contributes to building an inclusive society.
Similarly, information about the 2022-2027 Civic Education Program and the 2020-2027 Independent Living Program has also been publicly available in the past. The Civic Education Program aims to prepare young people to be civically engaged and aware of their democratic rights and responsibilities, while the Independent Living Program focuses on supporting persons with disabilities.
-
What Are the Allocated Funds Spent On?
Pro-government media claims that hackers disclosed the amount of funds whose purpose was previously unknown. In reality, information about the specific objectives of each program was available on the USASPENDING website, while USAID and its partners have published detailed data. For example, the largest amount of funding has been allocated to the Rule of Law Program. USAID (archived) has provided information on the main objectives (archived) and components of the program, as well as details about the organizations whose projects received funding. Additionally, the goals of each grant and the timelines for fulfilling obligations are outlined.
Among many other details, the website states that under this program, a 12-month Court-Community Engagement Grant was awarded (archived) to Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The description of the completed grant states:
“The goal of the project is to send a message to the judicial system that there is an increased interest in the control of justice from the society, including the educational institution, on the cases of violence against women. The project aims to enhance the transparency of court decisions on this type of cases and to identify the results of the fight against violence against women. For these purposes, within the framework of the project, a clinic for combating violence against women will be established at the Law Faculty of the University, which will be offered only to students of master’s programs. The first stage of the project involves developing a syllabus for the program and training students through lectures, seminars, and practical exercises. At the next stage, with the active participation of the students, cases of violence against women (including sexual harassment cases) at Tbilisi City Court will be monitored. At the final stage, the project team will analyze the results of case monitoring and produce a final report. In the long term, after the end of the project, the clinic at the Law Faculty of TSU will continue its activities independently and will ensure the implementation of the activities provided by the project with the participation of the next generation of master’s program students.”
The Imedi TV channel also covered the Media Program implemented by IREX. USAID’s five-year media program aims to promote media freedom, develop high-quality journalism based on ethical standards, improve information accessibility, and foster a healthier media environment. IREX implements the program in partnership with Zinc Network, the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, the Media Advocacy Coalition, and the Open Society Foundation.
IREX has published details about the project’s activities on its official website (archived), including media advocacy, supporting media outlets and other influencers to produce fact-based reporting through traditional and non-traditional media, legal support (legal aid) for journalists, empowering media organizations to develop digitalization strategies to reach broader audiences, and encouraging public engagement by covering issues of public interest and fostering dialogue between media and other stakeholders. IREX’s Georgian-language Facebook page regularly posts announcements about grant competitions for media organizations (1;2;3;4). One of the implemented projects was the Georgian Media Partnership Program (archived), which aimed to build lasting relationships between Georgian and American media outlets through two-way professional exchanges. The project facilitated over 70 partnership exchange visits for representatives from two Georgian online media outlets, two radio stations, and 16 television channels across 10 U.S. states.
Another initiative criticized by pro-government media for its so-called “unclear spending” is USAID’s five-year Civic Education Program (archived). In reality, this program aims to raise the youth with high civic consciousness and involve them in civic processes, implement technology in the process of teaching and learning civic education, develop democratic culture at schools, and support partnerships between businesses and schools. According to data published on the official website, 650 public schools across 11 regions of Georgia participate in the program. The website also lists activities planned for participating schools, including:
- Competitions and Olympiads for teachers and students;
- Development of simulation and board games;
- Creation of illustrative projects and integrated lesson plans; meetings between educational resource centers, student councils, and school administrations to strengthen school democracy; model lessons;
- Thematic discussions;
- Round tables;
- Professional sharing group meetings;
- Production of video materials;
- A conference of the most democratic school;
- Selection of the best civic education teacher.
The site also provides information on specific projects (1;2), such as teacher professional development programs and Olympiads.
USAID implements the Independent Living Program in Georgia in partnership with the McLain Association for Children. The program aims to create conditions for persons with disabilities to live independently. Independent Living Centers operate in six municipalities across Georgia, where people with disabilities can learn about their rights, what government support they are entitled to and how to get it, connect with individuals who have successfully overcome challenges, and gain insights into how to defend their rights.
-
What Happened with regard to USAID?
After U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration suspended foreign aid for 90 days, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that every dollar spent by the U.S. must be “justified.” USAID’s budget, which Trump has criticized, amounted to $40 billion in 2023. The agency’s future was called into question after reports surfaced that the Trump administration planned to cut spending and merge USAID with the U.S. State Department. Marco Rubio accused USAID leadership of insubordination and declared himself the agency’s acting head. On February 3, Elon Musk announced that Trump had agreed to shut down USAID. However, Marco Rubio later clarified that their goal is not to “get rid” of foreign aid and that some of USAID’s activities will continue, though they must decide whether this will be done through the State Department or a reformed USAID.
The article has been written in the framework of Facebook’s fact-checking program. You can read more about the restrictions that Facebook may impose based on this article via this link. You can find information about appealing or editing our assessment via this link.
Read detailed instructions for editing the article.
Read detailed appeal instructions.
