Overview of the Jean Monnet program in the context of Georgia (2014-2024): promoting European integration and knowledge

The Jean Monnet program is an important component of the EU's Erasmus+ initiative, which aims to develop teaching and research on the topic of EU integration and a deeper understanding of European history, culture and values. The program has different strands, including Jean Monnet Chairs, Jean Monnet Modules and Jean Monnet Centers of Excellence, which aim to integrate EU studies into the curricula of educational institutions.

The data indicate that the main focus of the program was on deepening Georgia's integration with the European Union through academic initiatives. During this period, 19 J Jean Monnet modules, 11 Jean Monnet chairs and 2 centers of excellence were implemented. These initiatives aim to empower Georgian institutions, students and society with knowledge and involvement in EU policies, laws and values.

 Jean Monnet Modules (19 projects coordinated by GE)

These are targeted educational programs that focus on various aspects of the EU and its policies. They cover topics such as:

  • EU law,
  • governance and competition,
  • sustainable development,
  • EU energy security,
  • green transition processes,
  • media education,
  • Corporate social responsibility and
  • cyber education.

These modules provide in-depth knowledge of EU topics and help raise awareness of EU integration and European standards among students, teachers and the general public.

 Jean Monet's chairs (11 projects coordinated by GE)

These academic positions aim to strengthen specialized teaching and research on EU issues in Georgian universities.
 The purpose of the Jean Monnet Chairs is to:

  • deepening of academic and institutional relations between Georgia and the European Union,
  • Teaching topics such as EU law, democracy, human rights, corporate governance and European integration.

These positions help to strengthen the teaching skills of EU topics in Georgian universities and create a more "EU-oriented" academic environment.

Centers of Excellence (2 projects coordinated by GE)

These centers provide high-level research, teaching and knowledge on EU policy, governance and law.

The aim of the Centers of Excellence is to:

  • promotion of institutional cooperation,
  • Distribution of EU expertise in Georgia,
  • Supporting the practical application of EU policies.

These centers provide research, learning and training that will contribute to Georgia's EU integration process through policy development and knowledge enhancement.

The leading topics can be divided into several main categories related to the European Union and the integration process of Georgia. including:

Integration with the European Union and Europeanization of Georgia - Many projects aim to strengthen Georgia's relations with the European Union, including in the direction of politics, legislation and foreign relations. Examples include projects such as "Europeanization as a tool for the democratization of Georgia", GEHANCEEU - Strengthening the Europeanization of Georgia's foreign policy, and "Core values ​​of the European Union: democracy, rule of law and protection of human rights".

EU Law, Governance and Politics – Several projects concern EU law, competition, governance and corporate social responsibility, such as ECCLAP – Jean Monnet module “European and Comparative Competition Law and Policy”, EUCGC – EU Corporate Governance and Compliance, and EUPOLTRANS – Jean Monnet Center for EU Policy Transposition.

Education and awareness raising about EU policies - Clear attention is paid to familiarization with the European Union, its policies and values, and raising awareness at different levels of Georgian society, starting from academic institutions and ending with the general masses. This category includes projects such as "Promotion of European values ​​and standards in Georgian schools", "European studies module of regional universities of Georgia" and "Promotion of cyber education in the European Union".

The role of the European Union in sustainable development and green transition - Several initiatives focus on the impact of the EU in the areas of sustainable development, energy security and green transition, including SEU - "Education for a Just Transition to the European Green Deal", and "EU Energy Security and Sustainable Development Policy" (EU-Energy-SSDP)

Empowerment and social issues – Projects that serve to empower, especially women and minorities, reflect ongoing efforts to integrate with broader societal values, such as WISEC Academy – Empowering Women in Cyber ​​Security Using EU Experience and “Improving Knowledge of Georgia's EU Integration among Ethnic Minorities”.

Education in the EU and knowledge transfer initiatives - There are initiatives aimed at the transfer of EU best practices and knowledge, such as EUMLGE - aimed at integrating EU media literacy education models into the Georgian academic space, and DataSecSchool - a seasonal school on data protection based on EU practices.

Overall, the leading topics are related to the areas of EU integration, legal and policy compliance, education, empowerment and sustainable development, with a special focus on strengthening Georgia's relations with the EU within academic, legal and social frameworks.

 

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Jean Monnet Program Overview in Georgian Context (2014-2024) Fostering European Integration and Knowledge

The Jean Monnet Program is a key component of the European Union's Erasmus+ initiative, aimed at promoting excellence in teaching and research on European Union integration and fostering a deeper understanding of European history, culture, and values. The program has various dimensions, including Jean Monnet Chairs, Jean Monnet Modules, and Jean Monnet Centers of Excellence, all designed to integrate European Union studies into the curricula of educational institutions worldwide.

The data reveals a clear focus on advancing Georgia's integration with the European Union through a combination of academic initiatives, including 19 Jean Monnet Modules, 11 Jean Monnet Chairs, and 2 Centers of Excellence. These efforts are designed to enhance understanding and engagement with EU policies, laws, and values, and to empower Georgian institutions, students, and society as a whole.

  1. Jean Monnet Modules (19 projects coordinated by GE) – These are targeted educational programs that focus on various aspects of the EU and its policies. They cover a wide range of topics such as EU law, governance, competition, sustainable development, EU energy security, green transition, media literacy, corporate social responsibility, and cyber education. These modules are designed to provide deep insights into EU-related topics and help raise awareness among students, educators, and the public in Georgia about EU integration and European standards.

     

  2. Jean Monnet Chairs (11 projects coordinated by GE): These positions are dedicated to fostering academic expertise and teaching on EU-related matters in Georgian universities. The Jean Monnet Chairs will play a crucial role in strengthening the academic and institutional relationship between Georgia and the EU, offering in-depth knowledge on subjects like EU law, democracy, human rights, corporate governance, and European integration. The chairs will also enhance the capacity of Georgian universities to teach EU-related topics, creating a more EU-aware academic environment.

     

  3. Centers of Excellence (2 projects coordinated by GE): These centers aim to serve as hubs for high-level research, teaching, and dissemination of knowledge about EU policies, governance, and law. They will foster cross-institutional cooperation and will be key players in spreading EU expertise in Georgia. The Centers of Excellence will focus on the practical application of EU policies, providing advanced knowledge and contributing to the EU integration process through training, research, and policy development.

The dominant topics in the list can be grouped into several key themes related to the European Union and Georgia's integration process. These include:

  1. EU Integration and Europeanization of Georgia – Many projects focus on enhancing Georgia's relationship with the EU, including its policies, laws, and foreign relations. Examples include projects like Europeanization as an instrument for democratization of Georgia, GEHANCEEU – Enhancing Europeanization of Georgia's foreign policy, and European Union's fundamental values: Democracy, Rule of Law and Protection of Human Rights.

     

  2. EU Law, Governance, and Policy – ​​Several projects address EU law, competition, governance, and corporate social responsibility, such as ECCLAP – Jean Monnet Module 'European and Comparative Competition Law and Policy', EUCGC – European Union Corporate Governance and Compliance, and EUPOLTRANS – Jean Monnet Center of Excellence for EU Policy Transposition.

     

  3. Education and Awareness of EU Policies – There is a clear focus on educating and raising awareness about the EU, its policies, and its values ​​at various levels of Georgian society, from academic institutions to grassroots. Projects like Advancing European Values ​​and Standards in Georgian Schools, EU Studies Module for the Regional Universities of Georgia, and Promoting European Union's Cyber ​​Education fall into this category.

     

  4. EU's Role in Sustainable Development and Green Transition – Several initiatives highlight the EU's influence on sustainable development, energy security, and the green transition, including SEU – European Green Deal Just Transition in Education and EU-Energy-SSDP – EU for Energy Security and Sustainable Development Policies.

     

  5. Empowerment and Social Issues – Projects focusing on empowerment, particularly of women and minorities, reflect ongoing efforts to integrate broader social values, such as WISEC ACADEMY – Empowering women in cyber security through EU experience and Enhancing Knowledge on Georgia's EU Integration among Ethnic Minorities.

     

  6. EU Education and Knowledge Transfer – There are initiatives aimed at transferring EU best practices and knowledge, such as EUMLGE – Integrating EU Models of Media Literacy Education into Georgian Academic Sphere and DataSecSchool – Seasonal school of data protection based on EU practices.

Overall, the most prominent topics are related to EU integration, legal and policy alignment, education, empowerment, and sustainable development, with a specific focus on enhancing Georgia's relationship with the EU through academic, legal, and societal frameworks.