Guidebook: Fundamentals of Security and Defense Sector Governance

Within the framework of the European Union-funded technical assistance project “Support to External Security Sector Oversight in Georgia,” implemented by a consortium led by GOPA PACE, PMCG contributed to the development of the first-ever bilingual Georgian-English Guidebook: Fundamentals of Security and Defense Sector Governance, designed for undergraduate and graduate students.

The guidebook aims to strengthen understanding of security and defense sector governance by providing students with essential theoretical knowledge and practical insights into the functioning, management, and oversight of the security and defense sector, drawing on best practices and experiences from NATO, the EU, and their member states.

The Guidebook is structured around three core pillars:

• Understanding Security and Defence Policy – introducing key concepts, actors, and frameworks that shape security and defense sector governance.
• Security and Defence Policy Planning, Implementation and Coordination Mechanisms – exploring policy planning and implementation processes, institutional arrangements, and inter-agency coordination practices.
• Oversight and Accountability – examining democratic oversight mechanisms, transparency, accountability, and the role of oversight institutions and civil society.

The Guidebook was developed by security and defense sector professionals Mikheil Darchiashvili, Shalva Khutsishvili, and Malkhaz Mikeladze, who combine high-level practical experience with academic expertise. It was peer-reviewed by Bert Koenders, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Professor of Peace, Justice and Security at Leiden University, and Senior Advisor to the World Bank.

The Guidebook servess as a valuable educational resource for future professionals, researchers, and policymakers interested in security and defense governance, contributing to effective policy planning and implementation, as well as to the promotion of democratic oversight and good governance practices in Georgia.