Funding & Independence
Primary Statement of Independence
Sakartvelo Unveiled is an independent educational initiative. We receive zero funding from:
- The Government of Georgia
- The Government of the Russian Federation
- The United States Government
- Any political party or campaign
- Any foreign government or intelligence service
Why This Matters
In an era of information warfare, disinformation, and state-sponsored propaganda, skepticism about funding sources is not only reasonable—it is necessary. Our target audience, educated during the Cold War, has been trained to ask: "Who is paying for this?"
Given Georgia's position at the intersection of Western and Russian spheres of influence, any educational resource about Georgia will be scrutinized for bias. We address this directly by disclosing our funding and editorial independence.
Current Funding Model
Personal Investment
This project is currently funded through personal resources of the founding team. No external grants, donations, or sponsorships have been accepted as of January 2026.
No Advertising
We do not accept advertising, sponsorships, or paid placements. This ensures that our content is driven solely by educational merit, not commercial interests.
Future Funding Considerations
Should the project expand and require external funding, we commit to:
- Only accepting funding from sources with no editorial control
- Publicly disclosing all donors above $500
- Refusing funding from any government or political entity
- Establishing an editorial firewall between funders and content
Any changes to our funding model will be prominently disclosed on this page with full transparency.
What We Will NOT Accept
| Funding Source | Reason for Refusal |
|---|---|
| Georgian Government | Would create perception of state propaganda |
| Russian Government | Antithetical to project mission; compromises credibility |
| U.S. Government | Would undermine independence; reinforce "foreign agent" narrative |
| Political Parties | We document all eras and governments; cannot be partisan |
| Foreign Intelligence | Obvious conflict of interest |
| Anonymous Donors | Transparency requires disclosure |
Editorial Independence Policy
No External Editorial Control
No external party, funder, or government has editorial control over our content. All analysis, framing, and conclusions are determined solely by the editorial team based on factual research and documented sources.
Acknowledgment of Perspective
We acknowledge that presenting Georgia as Sakartvelo—an ancient civilization rather than a post-Soviet state—is itself a framing choice. However, this framing is:
- Grounded in historical fact (Georgia's 3,000-year history)
- Transparent (we state our approach clearly)
- Not dictated by any external party
Fact-Checking and Corrections
We verify claims against multiple independent sources and maintain a public corrections log to demonstrate accountability.
Comparison: The "Foreign Agent" Context
Georgia's controversial 2024 "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence" requires organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "organizations serving the interests of a foreign power."
We address this directly:
Our Status
- We are not based in Georgia
- We receive no foreign government funding
- We are not registered as a Georgian NGO or media outlet
- We are an independent educational resource created for a Western audience
The purpose of this disclosure is not legal compliance but ethical transparency. We believe our audience deserves to know who is speaking and why.
Accountability Mechanisms
Public Disclosure
This page serves as our primary disclosure mechanism. If our funding model changes, this page will be updated immediately with:
- Full list of donors/funders
- Amounts received
- Any conditions or restrictions (if applicable)
Contact for Questions
If you have questions about our funding or independence, please use our contact form.
Trust, But Verify
We do not expect you to take our word for it. We encourage you to:
- Cross-reference our claims against other reputable sources
- Read our sources (linked throughout the site)
- Compare our analysis to academic scholarship, journalistic reporting, and official documents
- Challenge us if you find inaccuracies or bias
Transparency is not a claim—it is a practice. This page exists because we believe informed skepticism is a virtue, and we want to earn your trust through disclosure, not assertions.