On September 2, Giorgi Kharchilava, the Mayor of Tsalenjikha, revealed that the European Union had suspended grant opportunities for municipalities under the "Creative Compass" project.

 This announcement followed a letter from the head of the program, stating that the opening of another grant opportunity for municipalities in Georgia within the project ‘Creative Compass Georgia’ is currently suspended. According to the letter, the decision was made considering the European Council's Conclusions from June 24, 2024, on the state of the political situation in Georgia and its impact on the EU assistance. Kharchilava accused other municipal mayors of concealing this information. 

On September 4, the European Delegation to Georgia confirmed this development. Notably, "Creative Compass Georgia" is a four-year project funded by the EU and co-funded and implemented by Goethe-Institut Georgien. The project aims to support sustainable development and employment within cultural and creative industries across Georgia, focusing on industrial and post-industrial municipalities.