Gov’t planning to expand support programme for residents of mountainous regions
A working group will be created to review criteria for granting status for a mountain settlement. Shatili. Photo: N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
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The government of Georgia is redoubling efforts to avoid the reduction of population in mountainous areas of the country, initiating an increase of the list of high mountainous settlements and accordingly the number of beneficiaries of the Mountain Law.
A working group will be created to review criteria for granting status for a mountain settlement and to create an action plan in terms of expanding the area of the law.
Another initiative is to establish “Mountain Week”, which will promote the development of mountain areas and mountain resorts of Georgia.
Also a faculty of the Sustainable Development of Mountains will be created at the Georgian Technical University.
Since the launch of the Mountain Law 1,730 villages have been recognised as high-mountainous settlements in Georgia, where 243,000 residents benefit from the law.
A total of 66 million GEL in financial assistance was allocated to people living in Georgia’s mountainous areas in 2017.
The residents of 14 more villages can now enjoy special benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law, announced the government of Georgia. Upgrading the living standards of the populations of mountainous areas is one of the top objectives of the government, said Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.
The Georgian government will continue to support Georgia’s high mountain regions to improve infrastructure and conditions for those living there in a bid to reduce migration from rural areas to the city.
The Georgian Government will continue to support Georgia’s high mountain regions to improve standards of life there.
Social assistance rules eased for rural population
Tough rules currently in place that make it difficult for people living in Georgia’s high mountain regions to receive social assistance, are being simplified so people in these areas can enjoy better living conditions.
New grant programme to encourage trade across dividing lines
A new grant programme ‘Produce for a Better Future’ will be launched in Georgia from January 1, 2019 within the peace initiative ‘A Step to a Better Future’ in order to encourage trade across the dividing lines.
A total of 66 million GEL will be spent on developing mountainous regions in Georgia, to improve infrastructure and conditions for those living there. The money is allocated by the National Council for Mountain Development and the Fund for the Development of the Highlands of Georgia will be spent on projects that are included to Georgia’s new mountain development strategy.
The European Union, Sweden and Austria are teaming up to develop mountain tourism and organic agriculture in Georgia’s Zemo Svaneti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and Imereti mountainous regions with a budget of €6.8 million.
Locals to choose how to spend the budget
A government programme aimed at supporting rural development across Georgia has resumed after a two-year pause.
Residents of Georgian villages will receive twice as much funding as was previously allocated within the within the framework of a special government programme aimed at supporting rural development in Georgia.
People living in the village of Bakhmaro in Guria region of Georgia will soon get benefits guaranteed by the Mountain Law, announces the government of Georgia.
Beneficiaries will be able to use state programmes that support businesses in the regional centers of Georgia without coming to the capital city of Tbilisi, announces Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia.
The Georgian government is launching a new programme 'State - Your Partner', which will allow individuals to receive state services and information in 81 community centers and 24 justice houses in more than 100 settlements throughout Georgia about programmes to help start or assist new business.
The police have uncovered a large number of cryptocurrency machines illegally consuming large amounts of electricity in the auxiliary space of the hotel Banguriani in central Mestia, Svaneti region, says energy company Energo-Pro Georgia.
Energy use in the mountainous northern province of Svaneti remains at "unsustainable" levels due to locals' use of cryptomining hardware to take advantage of free electricity, Energo Pro Georgia has warned.
Highland regions of Georgia will welcome visitors with a range of activities introducing local cuisine, crafts and more as part of the annual Mountain Week, with the programme launching on Saturday.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Government members on Saturday visited Tusheti, Georgia’s northern highland region, to mark the annual Mountain Week and local Tushetoba celebrations with citizens of the mountainous locality.