EU, Germany launch €9.5 mln good governance programme in Georgia
The programme also aims at overcoming inequality and accomplishing “social cohesion” through the development of urban renewal and social inclusion in the country with the project covering four Georgian regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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A programme supporting Georgia’s sustainable and inclusive growth, balanced territorial development and good governance has been launched with the financial support of the European Union and the German Government, with the project worth €9.5 million.
Set to run between 2022-2025, Integrated Territorial Development will be implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in cooperation with Georgia’s Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministry and local authorities.
The EU has allocated €8.5 million for the programme, while Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development disbursed €1 million. GIZ will use €7.5 million to support the development of the local economy, assist municipalities, businesses, and citizens, while the UNDP will use €2 million to advocate both decentralisation and good governance.
Carl Hartzell, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, called the programme “key to urban and rural transformation” and noted it would help the country to boost local democracy via inclusive participation.
The programme also aims at overcoming inequality and accomplishing “social cohesion” through the development of urban renewal and social inclusion in the country with the project covering four Georgian regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.
Hubert Knirsch, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Georgia, pointed out the project would bring products of local small and medium-sized enterprises both to Georgian and international markets.
Through our partnership with the European Union, we can provide Georgia’s regions with the assistance they need to achieve these goals, create new opportunities for local communities, improve livelihoods and reduce rural poverty,” Nick Beresford, the UNDP Resident Representative in Georgia, said.
Mzia Giorgobiani, the Deputy Infrastructure Minister, said the project would promote economic development in the country and create equal opportunities for all citizens through “inclusive, smart and sustainable socio-economic means.”
The Integrated Territorial Development programme additionally supports the implementation of the Pilot Integrated Regional Development Grant Programme, approved by the Georgian Government in 2019 and co-financed through the budget support scheme by the European Union.
Infrastructure projects are being conducted in six Georgian municipalities in the Imereti and Guria regions with a value of 2.5 million GEL, which are part of the first phase of the Georgian government’s 220 million GEL Pilot Integrated Regional Development Grant Programme (PiRDP), of which 186 million GEL comes from EU funding.
The Georgian Defence Ministry calls the cooperation between the EU and Georgia ‘dynamic’, after the Council of the European Union allocated €12.75 million in support for Georgia, comprising medical and engineering equipment, as well as civilian mobility assets.
The European Union will allocate funds for Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and the Republic of Mali to strengthen their military and defence capabilities. Georgia will receive 12.75 million euros over a period of 36 months to strengthen the capacities of its defence forces, including their ability to provide services to civilians in crises or emergency situations.
Cities and towns in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine (Eastern Partnership countries) will explore new opportunities through the EU-funded Mayors for Economic Growth Facility (M4EG), launched by the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Russia’s war and aggression against Ukraine has already started to affect the Georgian economy, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said on Wednesday.
Close communication and relations with Germany is an “important priority” for the Georgian Government, the Georgian foreign office said on Wednesday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Georgia marked 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Germany by lighting the iconic Tbilisi TV Tower in the colours of the German and Georgian national flags on the evening of April 13.
The German Embassy in Tbilisi said they were “pleased” about the sign of “close cooperation” between two countries.
Strengthening of existing ties and cooperation in various directions between Georgia and Germany was on top of the agenda of the meeting of Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili and president of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin on Wednesday.
Russia continues to occupy Georgia and since then the country has to avoid a “lot of provocations” and manage the ‘borderisation’ process, as well as “many other problems”, Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said on Wednesday at a joint press conference with Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Germany supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, strengthens Georgian democracy, and has provided more than €1 billion in aid to the country in recent years, Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili said at a joint press conference with Germany’s chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is hosting the anniversary 10th edition of the conference of the Covenant of Mayors East, a European Union-funded project working to introduce the bloc’s climate and energy initiatives to its Eastern Partnership states.
Four German lawmakers have been scheduled to visit Georgia this week to further strengthen existing parliamentary cooperation between the two states, the German Embassy said on Monday.
Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, will pay her first official visit to Georgia on Thursday to “further strengthen bilateral” ties and discuss the country’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and related reforms with the country’s top officials, the German Embassy to Georgia announced on Wednesday.
Investments selected for financing for a four-year, €7.5 million programme by the European Union and the German Government to identify untapped economic and social potential in four Georgian regions will be revealed in a presentation in Tbilisi on Tuesday.