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EU launches first rural development initiatives in Adjara under ENPARD

30.05.2017
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Over 50 representatives of rural communities, municipal authorities, government and civil society gathered at the Rural Development Council meeting in Batumi for launching of new EU-funded rural development projects in Keda and Khulo municipalities in Adjara.

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The EU supported projects “Promotion of Rural Development and Diversification in Khulo Municipality” and “Optimising the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality” are implemented by Caritas Czech Republic in Georgia and the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN). The projects aim at promoting a bottom-up, inclusive rural development approach that fully engages all communities in the above mentioned municipalities. The goal of the projects is to contribute to the reduction of poverty by supporting the improvement of community members’ employment and income opportunities.

 

The projects follow the earlier EU-supported rural development actions under ENPARD in Borjomi, Lagodekhi and Kazbegi municipalities. This year, EU launched rural development projects in five new municipalities including Keda and Khulo, also Dedoplistskaro, Akhalkalaki and Tetritskaro.

 

At the Rural Development Council meeting, the participants also received information about the new and ongoing rural development initiatives of the Government of Adjara AR, supported by EU in partnership with UNDP Georgia. The initiatives are aimed at promoting the European LEADER approach to local community-led economic and social developments in Adjara. The Rural Development Council also conversed about the recently adopted Rural Development Action Plan for 2017 and discussed further steps for the adoption of the action plan for 2018-2020.

 

Based on the European LEADER approach to rural development, the Government of Adjara facilitated the process of establishing active citizens’ local unions known as AMAGs to encourage local rural development actions. At present, 46 AMAGs list up to 700 community members all over Adjara ready to join forces and take active part in municipal development.

 

– stated Zurab Pataradze, Chairman of Adjara AR Government.

The event took place in the framework of the European Union's Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD).  It was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Agriculture of Adjara AR. 

 

The EU is supporting rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 102 million, the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second phase focuses on creating economic opportunities for rural population that go beyond agricultural activities. For more information on ENPARD visit www.enpard.ge 

 

Category
Press releases
Location

Batumi

Editorial sections
Georgia