Online petition website will promote citizen engagement in Georgia

Georgia is taking action and establishing a website of online petitions to promote citizen engagement and allow the public and civil society to be more involved in Government activities.

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced this initiative while addressing the international audience at the Open Government Partnership (OGP) conference, being held today and tomorrow in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The news was positively received by the French delegation.

Garibashvili said if an online petition gained 5,000 signatures, the issue would be discussed at a Government Meeting.

He also said the website www.Ichange.ge would allow increased public participation in the governance of the country and strengthen the Government’s accountability.

Deputy Head of the Government Administration Nino Kobakhidze said an official presentation announcing the new web portal would be held soon.

"This is an e-petitions format, which has been established in the United States for a long time. We are happy that this initiative was highly appreciated at the OGP conference,” she said.