The Role of European Standards in Shaping Participatory Public Policy at theMinisterial Level in Georgia: A Case Study

The study examines the integration of participatory governance mechanisms in Georgian ministries between 2015 and 2023, using a qualitative, comparative approach based on primary and secondary data sources, within the broader framework of Europeanization. It explores how Georgia’s public policy process has adopted participatory approaches, driven by EU norms (particularly those from OECD/SIGMA) and the EU Association Agreement. The study analyses sectoral strategies, government decrees, and institutional reforms, complemented by primary data from ministry-level interviews. Findings reveal a gradual institutionalization of public consultation practices and increasing alignment with EU administrative standards. Despite progress, citizen involvement remains limited and is not yet broadly or systematically integrated across ministries. While civil society organizations sometimes facilitate engagement, these practices are inconsistent. Political will, administrative capacity, and contextual adaptation are identified as key variables influencing the outcomes of Europeanization. The study highlights both the structural and ideational dimensions of this process, offering reflections on participatory democracy in Georgia, with potential relevance for other EU-neighbouring countries undergoing similar reforms.