Eka Gigauri
Georgian civil society leader and anti-corruption advocate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eka Gigauri (Georgian: ეკა გიგაური; born 14 April 1978) is a Georgian civil society leader and human rights advocate.[1] Since 2010 she has served as Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, and has previously held roles on the Global Board of Directors of Transparency International.[2]
Eka Gigauri | |
|---|---|
| ეკა გიგაური | |
| Born | 14 April 1978 Tbilisi, Georgia |
| Occupations | Executive Director, Transparency International Georgia |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Anti-corruption and democracy activism |
She studied International Relations at Tbilisi State University, earned an MBA at the Caucasus School of Business, and an LLM in International Law from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.[1] She also completed executive programmes at Stanford University’s CDDRL,[3] and an executive course at Harvard Business School.[1]
Career
Early public administration and communications
Gigauri’s early roles included internships at the Parliament of Georgia and the Georgian Public Broadcaster, followed by assignments at the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[1]
She later worked in public relations as a Consultant at IPM (2002–2003) and as Public Affairs Coordinator at the Tbilisi Marriott Hotel (2003–2004).[1]
Border security and reform (2004–2008)
From 2004 to 2008, she served in leadership roles at the Border Police of Georgia, including as Deputy Head.[1] Her work focused on anti-corruption reforms, modernisation of border operations, and European integration. After leaving government service she worked as a border and migration governance expert in the Netherlands and South Caucasus.[1]
Leadership at TI Georgia (2010–present)
Gigauri joined Transparency International Georgia in 2010 and became Executive Director soon after.[4]
Under her leadership the organisation expanded its investigative capacity, opened regional offices, and launched civic programmes on transparency and accountability.[1]
Her responsibilities include supervising TI Georgia’s investigations, publications, public communications and advocacy on themes including political finance, media freedom, judicial independence and public procurement.[1]
Major investigative cases under her stewardship include:
- Investigations revealing alleged business links of Bidzina Ivanishvili and his family in Russia via offshore companies and unreported property in Moscow.[5]
- Exposés on corruption risks in the judiciary, including politically-influenced case assignment and non-transparent judge selection.[6]
- Analyses of party funding and procurement, including circular donor schemes and pressure on contributors to the ruling party.[7]
- Monitoring of procurement and media finance involving pro-government media including Imedi TV.[8]
Her leadership has helped TI Georgia become one of the most reliable civil society institutions in Georgia and a significant contributor to democratic oversight.[1]
Activism and civic campaigns
Gigauri played an active role in the Must Carry / Must Offer campaign, leading to amendments to the Georgian Law on Broadcasting that ensured pluralistic political coverage during elections.[9]
She also helped initiate the This Affects You – They Are Still Listening campaign, which pushed for stronger rules against illegal surveillance and political wiretapping.[10]
Since 2023, Gigauri has been one of the most visible leaders opposing Georgia’s proposed foreign agents legislation.[11] She has warned that the bill would derail European integration, restrict civil society and stigmatise critical voices. In interviews, she emphasised compliance with EU standards and the danger of copying Russian-style legislation.[12]
Targeted repression and international advocacy
International organisations have documented political pressure on Transparency International Georgia and other civil society groups.[2]
On 12 September 2024, Gigauri testified before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during a hearing on anti-NGO laws.[13]
Memberships and advisory roles
- Member, Board of Directors, Transparency International (two terms)[2]
- Member, Steering Committee, Open Government Partnership (from 2022)[1]
- Board member, Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary[14]
- Board member, Coalition for Euro-Atlantic Georgia[15]
- Member, Presidential Pardon Commission of Georgia[16]
- Ex officio Board Member, ICC Georgia[17]