FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025
News Release from Atlas Network
Media Contact: Adam Weinberg
Director of Marketing and Communications, Atlas Network
adam.weinberg@atlasnetwork.org | (703) 717-6494
Georgia’s Future Academy Wins Templeton Freedom Award
NEW YORK — Atlas Network, the nonprofit organization supporting think tanks and civil society organizations in more than 100 countries, held their 25th annual Freedom Dinner award gala last week at the Sheraton Times Square, presenting its annual Templeton Freedom Award to Georgia’s Future Academy, a youth-focused organization from the eastern European country of Georgia. The event was attended by nearly 700 activists and leaders from 68 countries.
More information about each organization considered for the Templeton Freedom Award can be found here. Videos recognizing Georgia’s Future Academy and all other Templeton Freedom Award finalist projects can be viewed here.
Atlas Network’s yearly Freedom Dinner has an international focus on supporting the development and success of nonpartisan pro-freedom organizations in countries throughout the world, including in unfree countries where corruption and authoritarian rule stymies human flourishing. Much of the conference preceding Freedom Dinner, called Liberty Forum, focuses on opening and strengthening markets in low-income countries. Atlas Network’s Liberty Forum features breakout sessions for two days with panel discussions and workshops that bring together nonprofit organization leaders, entrepreneurs, donors, and activists who share ideas and strategies for promoting free enterprise, securing greater property rights, formalizing businesses amidst crushing red tape, combating corruption, and advancing liberal democracy and the rule of law.
The final break-out session titled “Working for Freedom Against Authoritarian Regimes” was moderated by Atlas Network Executive Vice President Tom G. Palmer and featured former hostage and advisor to Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli of Venezuela, as well as Leonid Nikonov of Russia, and Mohamad Machine-Chian of Iran.
Atlas Network’s Templeton Freedom Award was originated by the philanthropist and investor Sir John Templeton in 2004 and is sponsored by the Templeton Religion Trust. Sir John believed philanthropy could become more cost-effective by working to prevent future poverty through advancing free competition in economics and the dignity of all individuals through freer societies. The Templeton Freedom Award recognizes the year’s most impactful effort for freedom among Atlas Network’s nearly 500 partner organizations in more than 100 countries. Georgia’s Future Academy was selected by an independent panel of judges for its focus on youth education and empowerment in support of liberal democracy and free elections in the \]country of Georgia, competing alongside finalists from organizations based in Brazil, Colombia, and the United States.
Mari Kapanadze, Executive Director of Georgia’s Future Academy, accepted the award on her organization’s behalf, expressing gratitude for Atlas Network’s support. “As you all know, the situation in Georgia is right now very challenging. All opposition political parties are basically outlawed. Civil society organisations, critical media, and independent universities are under repression. And we are under constant threats to be criminally prosecuted,” Kapanadze stated in her acceptance speech. “But despite this, we have a strength and motivation which is empowered by two forces. First, the courageous Georgian people and especially the younger generation. And second, our Ukrainian friends who are at the front line of defending liberty not only for their homeland, but for all of us. Thank you for this award to Templeton Religion Trust and of course, Atlas Network, who is always on our side supporting and helping us overcome all these challenges. Thank you. I believe that freedom will always prevail.”
Adam Weinberg, Atlas Network’s Director of Marketing and Communications congratulated the winning organization stating, “Georgia’s Future Academy perfectly represents the vision behind Atlas Network’s ‘Coach, Compete, Celebrate’ model for strengthening the worldwide freedom movement. For years, they have been vigilant in confronting the dangers of rising authoritarianism in Georgia. They attended Atlas Network Academy training and engaged with and learned from peers from liberty-minded organizations around the world to sharpen their organizational focus, even as their own government has sought to repress their right to participate in civil society. Their courageous role as a force multiplier for the youthful freedom movement in Georgia makes Georgia’s Future Academy an exemplary recipient of this year’s Templeton Freedom Award.”
Next year’s Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner is scheduled for November 11-12, 2026 at the Sheraton Times Square in New York.
For more information, contact Adam Weinberg, Director of Marketing and Communications at adam.weinberg@atlasnetwork.org, call 703-717-6494, or visit www.AtlasNetwork.com.
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