The Civil Service Reform in Georgia

Abstract

Before 2003 Georgia was considered one of the most corrupt countries among the former Soviet Union countries, with nepotism
acting as the driving force within the public sector. Following the
fundamental changes that arose from the Rose Revolution, Georgia
started to gradually reform its civil service. Various legislative amendments were passed to enhance the existing legislation and to bring greater transparency and efficiency; salaries were significantly increased in the civil service to prevent corruption; e-governance projects were developed to raise the efficiency of public service delivery; the government publicly prosecuted many
corruption cases; civil servants underwent comprehensive training
in good governance and logistical advancements such as new public buildings and modern equipment played a vital role in the modernisation of the Georgian public service. As a result of the Georgian civil service reform, Transparency International and the World Bank named Georgia as the biggest combatant against corruption in 2010. Moreover, Georgia was considered as one of the least corrupt countries in Europe under the Eurobarometer in 2012. The United Nations has also recognised the work done by Georgia and in 2012 awarded the Public Service Hall with a United Nations Public Service Award. This recognition was further extended in 2013 when the Civil Service Bureau was presented the same award in recognition of its high efficiency in the category of ‘Preventing and Combating Corruption in the Public Service’. The practical results of the reform are now apparent: police and other public services are now totally corruption-free; the process of starting a company and registering real estate takes only minutes; and all state procurements are done online; all of which promotes transparency and accountability for its citizens.