EBRD water projects in Georgia

Since Georgias independence in the early 1990s, due to financial constraints maintenance and repair works at most of the water utilities have been neglected. In order to improve the situation in the water sector, several Georgian city councils have approached the EBRD for financing. While some of the aims of the projects should be welcomed, the decision-making processes, implementation of the projects and the lack of public consultation has caused concerns about the outcomes of the projects. Problems include the non-existence of social mitigation plans in tariff reforms, violation of customers rights, and the lack of transparency and public consultations.