Interview with Ms. Ia Mamaladze, Founding Editor of Guria News and Member of the Bakhvi HPP Advisory Council
Date: April 28, 2025
Bakhvi Hydropower Plant has been honored with the UN Global Compact Corporate Sustainability Award for its initiative, “Advisory Council on Environmental and Social Issues at Bakhvi HPP.” The award was presented under Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
- 1. Ms. Mamaladze, you were among the first members of the Advisory Council on Environmental and Social Issues at Bakhvi HPP. Could you reflect on the Council's mission and role, and how you evaluate the format? - The communication format developed by Bakhvi HPP for public engagement is both necessary and innovative. It establishes new standards of transparency and accountability. Given the public’s deep sensitivity toward ecological issues—which are undeniably vital—this format has proven that dialogue, compromise, and damage mitigation are indeed possible between stakeholders. The Council fosters structured, meaningful, and frequent communication, which is precisely its core function. Personally, I support the shift from ‘know-it-all’ rhetoric to a culture that values the voices of subject-matter experts. For me, every detail matters—especially those related to preserving Georgia’s natural environment while simultaneously advancing our energy independence, which I view as critically important. Though Council membership is voluntary, the knowledge, insights, and expert interactions I’ve gained have been invaluable
- The Council’s effectiveness is further validated by the recognition from the UN Sustainable Development Program. This award is particularly meaningful to me, recalling the joy I felt when I received the UNDP’s Best Businesswoman of the Year prize in 2014.”
- Prior to your involvement, were you familiar with similar formats where a company or project management team collaborates with stakeholders in such a way? - The format introduced by Bakhvi HPP is truly unique. Despite my extensive professional background, I cannot recall a comparable model of engagement with the business sector. Typically, information is shared with the media post-factum or only in times of conflict. This company, however, has set an example for how valuable standards can be established through proactive stakeholder engagement.
- How effective has the Council been over these past four years? - The Council’s effectiveness can be measured by several concrete outcomes and criteria. For instance, widespread public protests—where both business and public interests often clash—have been largely absent. No Council session has ever been canceled; on the contrary, meetings often extend beyond their scheduled time, driven by passionate and challenging questions. We've also seen real impact: cases where the Council's recommendations led to tangible solutions, and an increase in locally tailored outreach activities. On a personal note, this format has offered me a wealth of knowledge in a highly specialized field, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with brilliant, dedicated professionals.
- . Have company representatives provided transparent and fair access to information throughout the project? - Absolutely. The company’s representatives have been fully open, providing all the information necessary for Council members to monitor progress, deliberate thoughtfully, and form informed opinions. It has also been encouraging to see that each team member meets extremely high professional and ethical standards in their respective fields—something that is essential for the development of our country.
- What has this format contributed to the project itself? - As I mentioned earlier, by implementing a well-planned public engagement strategy—of which the Advisory Council is a central element—Bakhvi HPP has avoided the kind of severe public opposition that often endangers ecosystems, businesses, and community trust. Many conflicts arise from a lack of communication, disregard for stakeholder interests, and insufficient mediation. Too often, companies believe stakeholder dialogue is limited to governmental or regulatory bodies, neglecting broader public voices. This project has proven otherwise. When local communities, the media, municipal authorities, and civil society are involved, outcomes are far more constructive.
- And what has the format contributed to Council members themselves? - For me personally, it has revived hope that outdated, bureaucratic models of governance—those ‘hexagonal standards of Soviet committees’—will eventually be replaced in Georgia by Western models rooted in expertise, care, inclusion, and trust. And most importantly—it showed me that this future is not just an ideal. It is entirely possible.