On October 12 and 17, 2015 CRRC-Georgia and National Democratic Institute presented the results of a new poll. The results reflect data collected from August 8 to September 10 through face-to-face interviews with a nationwide representative sample of citizens of Georgia that included 4,448 completed interviews.This is the first survey released by NDI and CRRC-Georgia that focused largely on local government issues. It included a representative sample for the self-governing cities of Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Zugdidi, Gori, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, Ozurgeti, Mtskheta and of the Gurjaani municipality.

Acoording to the survey results, Georgians believe their living conditions have stayed the same (47 percent) or worsened (43 percent) over the last year. Improving roads, water and gas delivery and eliminating pollution are top priorities. Respondents also believe that, while their village or town is safe (83 percent) and a good place to raise children (72 percent), employment opportunities are inadequate (80 percent). 66 percent consider themselves unemployed. They identify tourism, farming, livestock, and light industry as the main economic development possibilities for their communities.

Survey results also reveal that interaction between citizens and elected local government officials (mayors/gamgeoba, sakrebulo members, and governors) is infrequent. Only 6 percent of Georgians report having ever been contacted by sakrebulo officials, 3 percent by mayors’ offices, and 1 percent by governors’ offices. Knowledge of the work of these offices was also low, with approximately 60 percent of citizens reporting that they knew “nothing at all,” and 83 percent unable to identify their sakrebulo majoritarian member. Citizen participation in public events, petitions and rallies is also low. Despite this limited interaction overall, those who did engage with local government officials reported them as competent (69 percent) and respectful (88 percent). Further, citizens continue to rate highly the performance of emergency medical services and public service halls, with 89 percent reporting they were satisfied with the service they received at the public service halls.

NDI and CRRC-Georgia survey public opinion to help Georgian stakeholders diagnose and address issues of public concern by providing accurate, unbiased, and statistically sound data. The poll was developed in consultation with parties, government, and civil society leaders and aims to capture the most relevant information to foster the development of responsive policies and governance.

NDI’s survey work is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and carried out by CRRC-Georgia.

See photos of the presentation here.

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