Gov’t rural programme: 3,212 of 4,808 citizen selected infrastructure projects completed

Of 4,808 infrastructure projects selected by citizens in the government’s rural support programme for this year, 3,212 have already been completed, while the rest of the infrastructure projects are underway and will be completed by the end of the year, the Ministry of Infrastructure has stated earlier today.

The rural support programme, implemented in 2009, allows 3,700 rural communities across Georgia to decide with the government what projects are most important for their particular area. 

Rural populations most often ask for renovation of drinking water and drainage systems and the construction of local education and sports infrastructure, in addition to constructing and repairing roads and bridges. 

The programme is an opportunity for effective communication between the central and local governments and the people,” Infrastructure Minister Maia Tskitishvili said back in January 2019.

The program allocates funds for small infrastructure projects between 5,000 GEL ($1,685/€1,516) and 10,000 GEL ($3,371/€3,033).

The amount of money given to municipalities is dependent on the size of the population in the area and ranges between 10,000 GEL ($3,371/€3,033) and 20,000 GEL (6,742/€6,067).

The Ministry of Infrastructure said that the expected cost of the projects of 2019 is 46 million GEL [$15.5 mln/ €14) in total.

The programme first started in 2009 and ended in 2016, however started up again on January 1, 2019 “in a renewed format.”

Selected projects may be co-financed by international or donor organizations, by municipalities or other funds allowed by law. If a village fails to reach an agreement about its priority projects, the allocated amount is sent back to the programme fund.