
The Media Polarization Index remained high in February, influenced by restrictive laws that suppress demonstrations, controversial regulations affecting the media, and a Foreign Agents Registration Act-like (FARA) law. In addition, significant events such as a major tragedy in Batumi, heavy snowfall in Guria, and developments in Trump's foreign policy contributed to the polarized environment.

ISET Policy Institute, as a host institution for the Eastern Partnership Road Safety Observatory (EaP RSO), participated in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety held in Marrakech, Morocco on February 18-20, 2025.

In January, several significant events marked Georgia's political landscape: journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli's arrest and subsequent hunger strike, an assault on Giorgi Gakharia, Donald Trump's inauguration, the European Union's suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders, and Georgian Dream's withdrawal from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Political polarization remained at high levels, showing no improvement from previous years.

This is a working note outlining the initial processes behind the SME Test Methodology. It is a notable deliverable part of the Developing an RIA SME Test Methodology for Georgia, while strengthening the capacity of the Government of Georgia to utilize SME RIA tools in practice Project, as funded by the UNDP and led by ISET Policy Institute.

ISET Policy Institute’s Lead Economist Mariam Lobjanidze participated in the Eighth CAREC Think Tank Development Forum on August 27-28, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organized by the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Institute (CI), this annual event serves as a flagship knowledge exchange platform under the CAREC Think Tank Network (CTTN).