STSM findings: religious groups and humanitarian aid in Georgia

Dr. Tatiana Sitchinava, an Assistant Researcher at Ilia State University, Institute of Demography and Sociology (Georgia), implemented her COREnet-funded Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland.

Tatiana’s STSM looked at how different religious groups in Georgia—like Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and smaller faith communities—have helped Ukrainian refugees. Georgia is a country with many religions, migration issues, and political challenges. This study focuses on what these faith groups have done to support refugees, both in practical help and symbolic ways.

Tatiana talked to leaders from more than 40 religious and charity organisations to learn about the amount and types of aid they provide and why they do it. The results show that cooperation between different faith groups is limited. Protestant and smaller religious groups have been especially active, often with help from international funds and partnerships with local nonprofits.

This research is important because it shows that religious organisations play a key, but often overlooked, role in helping during crises. For decision-makers, it suggests that these groups should be recognised and supported while making sure they stay safe and independent. For researchers, the study shows how religion, politics, and organisational structures come together to shape humanitarian work in a complex place like Georgia.

The research found that faith-based support for refugees in Georgia is active but very fragmented. There is no main organisation to coordinate efforts, which often results in different groups working separately and sometimes repeating the same tasks. Smaller and less well-funded religious organisations were generally more active, responding quickly and often cooperating with others in similar situations. In contrast, larger and better-resourced institutions were more cautious and limited their involvement, usually working through their own structures.

A key finding was that religious groups from the same tradition often did not cooperate and sometimes deliberately stayed apart. On the other hand, groups from different faiths were more likely to work together when they faced similar challenges, showing that shared struggles—not shared beliefs—can encourage cooperation. Many organisations were also difficult to contact, with outdated websites or no response to interview requests, making both research and access to help more difficult.

Overall, the study shows that sharing the same faith doesn’t always lead to working together. Instead, what matters more is how much support a group has, how it chooses to operate, and whether it feels comfortable getting involved in a sensitive issue like refugee aid.

What is a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) within COREnet?

A Short-Term Scientific Mission, funded by the COST Action COREnet, consists of a visit to a host organization located in a different country to the country of affiliation of a Researcher in order to carry out specific work as part of a research project. In addition to research purposes, Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are aimed to support researchers’ individual mobility, to strengthen existing networks and to foster collaboration between individuals. The purpose of a STSM is thus to gain new partnerships, to learn new techniques and to gain access to specific data, instruments and/or methods not available in their own institutions/organizations.