Georgian PM on rural support programme: “This is one of my favourite projects”

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has praised the government’s rural support programme, aimed at supporting rural development across Georgia and said this is “one of his favourite programmes”.

The programme resumed after a two-year pause and by 1 March, the rural communities of 3,700 villages all over Georgia will decide with the government what projects are most important for their particular area.  

Bakhtadze said that the programme has “a very good format”.

Within the programme we have received much good advice and recommendations about how can we improve our regional management policy”, said Bakhtadze.

People living in the village of Khurvaleti, alongside the occupation line of Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), have already made a decision and want to have a sports facility. 

New barbed wire installations, erected by Russian occupation troops in central Georgia's Khurvaleti village, split the gardens and yards of local residents last week.

Following the decisions of Khurvaleti inhabitants two projects will be implemented in the village this year. The first is a sports facility which will be erected in an abandoned building in the village and also a children’s park will be made on the square.

To note, the amount allocated for the programme has been doubled to 40 million GEL (about $15.05m/€13.14).

Bakhtadze said that village decides where the money should be spent.

We are establishing a very good practice. State officials should implement those decision that the citizens make and this case a village as villages are aware of local needs and requirements”, said Bakhtadze.

State officials have already met people of 1,000 villages to find out their priorities and particular projects.