Informing Akhalkalaki’s non-Georgian speaking population on Covid-19 outbreak and raising awareness on the state of emergency and health protection measures are the main goals of the online campaign by the EU-supported Akhalkalki Local Action Group (LAG).  Over 10 video addresses by the LAG members have been released in Georgian and Armenian languages through the LAG Facebook. In addition, over 15 bilingual information posters on the pandemic-related official recommendation by the World Health Organization, National Center of Disease Control and Prevention and the Georgian Government have been circulated widely. Locals are systematically informed about the quarantine and self-isolation rules, home entrance-exit protocols, health care measures and focal contact points. Furthermore, the Akhalkalaki LAG Training Center provides students with useful video tips on education and entertainment activities in self-isolation.

"Let's defeat the Coronavirus together! Please, do not hide the travel history, or cases of contact with infected persons, stay at home! Protect yourself and those around you from the infection.” Akhalkalaki LAG member Tereza Chivchyan addressed the local population in Armenian language in her video massage.

“Today, the world is fighting against an invisible enemy - the Coronavirus pandemic. In this crisis, it is necessary for all citizens to understand their responsibilities and follow the recommendations and regulations developed by health care organizations and the government. Stay at home, take care of yourself and those around you. Download free books and read your favorite authors. With this you will get to know and share the wonderful world in which we are living and to which we will all return together soon!” stated Dali Agdgomeladze, LAG member in her video massage.

The city of Akhalkalaki in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia is home to a large, densely-populated Armenian community. Large part of the local population has limited knowledge of Georgian language and, thereby, insufficient access to information regarding the state of emergency caused by the pandemic outbreak. In these circumstances, the LAG’s online information campaign in Armenian language is especially timely for informing local communities. The Project “Promoting a New Rural Development Approach in Akhalkalaki” is implemented by the Department of Rural Development and Vocational Education of GIPA. The project partners are Mercy Corps, ELVA and West Cork Development Partnership. Project is financed in the framework of European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD). The European Union is supporting agriculture and rural development in Georgia through ENPARD Programme. Implemented since 2013 the main goal of ENPARD is to reduce rural poverty in the country. For more information please visit www.enpard.ge Media Contact:

• Tamar Khuntsaria, Senior Economic Development Expert, EU4Georgia project, +995 595 98 99 16, tamar@commwithus.eu
• Ketevan Rukhadze, Regional Development Coordinator, GIPA, +995 591 19 43 08, k.rukhadze@gipa.ge