Green initiatives and sustainability practices of Russian environmentalists in exile in Georgia

This paper investigates the recent migration of environmental activists from Russia to Georgia, driven by state repression or the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It addresses whether and how these migrants have contributed to the local economies and the state of the environment in Georgia. Using biographical interviews conducted in Georgia between 2022 and 2023, the study applies the theory of new social movements to explore the activists’ identities, values, motivations, and the resources they have mobilised. It also examines how their relocation has affected the structures of political opportunities available to them in their new context. The research focuses on environmentalists who were active in Russia before migrating and those who became involved after arriving in Georgia. It highlights how their activism often has merged environmental concerns with anti-war and humanitarian efforts. Through identifying seven distinct categories of activism, the paper illustrates the complex intersections between various causes, offering a nuanced analysis of the activists’ roles in contributing to the economy and the quality of the environment in Georgia. This work expands on the existing understanding of activism in exile, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Russian activists in a Georgian context.